Plan B?

[Wee-Bey]

I know many of us are anxiously waiting on news, interview dates, offers, etc. This means spending endless hours imagining yourself moving to new places and enrolling in a new program. But it also maybe means thinking through what you will be doing next fall if you don't get into the program or your dreams. Anyone have any solid backup plans? Non-profit work, ministry, waiting and re-applying next year, babysitting? Anyone have any encouraging stories of working outside of academia and finding happiness or making it into a dream program after a couple years away from the academy? 

 

 

[tdwightdavis]

I've always planned on being ordained to the priesthood (I'm an Anglican) and doing ministry as something like an associate pastor if I was to get the PhD. So if the PhD doesn't pan out I'll start the ordination process and be a full time priest instead of an associate. It's less of a plan b for me and more of a one thing instead of both.

[RD_Paul]

3 hours ago, tdwightdavis said:

I've always planned on being ordained to the priesthood (I'm an Anglican) and doing ministry as something like an associate pastor if I was to get the PhD. So if the PhD doesn't pan out I'll start the ordination process and be a full time priest instead of an associate. It's less of a plan b for me and more of a one thing instead of both.

Very similar for me, except I'm Mennonite. 

[Rabbit Run]

4 hours ago, tdwightdavis said:

I've always planned on being ordained to the priesthood (I'm an Anglican) and doing ministry as something like an associate pastor if I was to get the PhD. So if the PhD doesn't pan out I'll start the ordination process and be a full time priest instead of an associate. It's less of a plan b for me and more of a one thing instead of both.

Same, Episcopalian.

[Marcion]

American History High School Teacher. Education is just too rooted within me.

[Justicia]

I have applied to several MTS degree in the US and I graduated from my BA on December 2014. Ever since then I have been teaching English in an English School here in my country. Surprisingly, there have been three other teachers who also graduated from theology related major, one of them is from the US and the other two from the UK. You might want to take a look at this kind of job. 

[Josh J.]

On January 28, 2016 at 5:53 AM, Marcion said:

American History High School Teacher. Education is just too rooted within me.

Same here. I'll be doing an MAT if PhD falls through, and teaching high school history. Already subbing right now. 

[Panama Slim]

I am already in a PhD program in Anthropology, but I am applying this season to a religious studies program. Plan B would be to try to trudge through and finish up here. 

[Rrrrahner]

Though I know now that I won't have to opt for my Plan B (*still holding my breath because I fear this euphoric bubble I've been in for the past two weeks might pop and I will find out my acceptance was a mistake*) I was also looking into teaching at a private high school. Since this is my third foray into PhD application season and I have had to take multiple "plan B's" (BA in Philosophy rather than Theology...MA in English rather than Philosophy...MA in Theological Studies...ministry...teaching...) I was prepared for the inevitable mental/emotional/spiritual renegotiation. 

But, for those of you facing it as a reality maybe for the first time...maybe not...just know that, at least in my experience, detours happen and I have always been better for the experience gathered while on them. And at the risk of leaving a cliche in this hallowed space, "way leads onto way" and I have never regretted taking Plan B.       

[tdwightdavis]

1 hour ago, Rrrrahner said:

Though I know now that I won't have to opt for my Plan B (*still holding my breath because I fear this euphoric bubble I've been in for the past two weeks might pop and I will find out my acceptance was a mistake*) I was also looking into teaching at a private high school. Since this is my third foray into PhD application season and I have had to take multiple "plan B's" (BA in Philosophy rather than Theology...MA in English rather than Philosophy...MA in Theological Studies...ministry...teaching...) I was prepared for the inevitable mental/emotional/spiritual renegotiation. 

But, for those of you facing it as a reality maybe for the first time...maybe not...just know that, at least in my experience, detours happen and I have always been better for the experience gathered while on them. And at the risk of leaving a cliche in this hallowed space, "way leads onto way" and I have never regretted taking Plan B.       

Thanks for this. I'm trying not to hate you for taking the slot at BC I also applied for

 

I'm already in year one of plan b. We'll see what year 2 brings.

[Rrrrahner]

1 hour ago, tdwightdavis said:

Thanks for this. I'm trying not to hate you for taking the slot at BC I also applied for

 

I'm already in year one of plan b. We'll see what year 2 brings.

Wishing you the best!! 

[AGingeryGinger]

On 1/26/2016 at 8:51 AM, tdwightdavis said:

I've always planned on being ordained to the priesthood (I'm an Anglican) and doing ministry as something like an associate pastor if I was to get the PhD. So if the PhD doesn't pan out I'll start the ordination process and be a full time priest instead of an associate. It's less of a plan b for me and more of a one thing instead of both.

Same here. I'm in the process of beginning postulancy right now, so whenever I get done with schooling I still have the priesthood. Although my end goal is academia as well as priesthood. I'm in the same boat as you, preferably priesthood and academia if all works out.