MA/PhD in English if you are uninterested in a career in academia?

[thatsnice]

I was recently accepted to an English PhD program. I went to the graduate student welcome weekend and really enjoyed my time with the grad students and faculty. But things have changed a lot in my personal life since I initially applied to the programs. I'll spare the details, but I have been less and less interested in working as a professor or maintaining a career in academia. The prospect of looking for jobs in field I'm interested in and a city I want to live in is increasingly alluring to me.  I have an interest in journalism, nonprofit organizations (my work experience for the past year), and publishing.

 I have an offer for a free MA & PhD. I also love writing, attending classes, and participating in discussion.  When I try to explain to my family and friends that I'm considering turning the offer down, it seems impractical. I guess my question is: if I don't have an interest in being a professor, what are the merits of continuing my English education? Does simply having an MA/PhD make me considerably more competitive for jobs outside of academia? Or would simply working in my desired field for that span of time offer me more opportunity? 

I know there are a lot of specific factors that make it hard to give a decisive answer. But I'm looking for some input regardless. 

 

Edited April 5, 2016 by thatsnice

[heliogabalus]

When you say 'free' do you mean that you get a stipend as well, or just that you don't have to pay for the school? 

If you've gotten admitted with funding, you could stay in the program until you qualify for the MA--usually 1-2 years--using that time to apply for jobs that are interesting, and bail out with the MA and hopefully a good job offer. I'm sure some people will disagree with me on this, but I certainly had more time on my hands in grad school than I do working--I think it's a good time to also indulge in side projects that you are interested in and which could lead to employment outside academia (if you don't want to be a professor).

[thatsnice]

20 minutes ago, heliogabalus said:

When you say 'free' do you mean that you get a stipend as well, or just that you don't have to pay for the school? 

If you've gotten admitted with funding, you could stay in the program until you qualify for the MA--usually 1-2 years--using that time to apply for jobs that are interesting, and bail out with the MA and hopefully a good job offer. I'm sure some people will disagree with me on this, but I certainly had more time on my hands in grad school than I do working--I think it's a good time to also indulge in side projects that you are interested in and which could lead to employment outside academia (if you don't want to be a professor).

Modest stipend. Smallest of the programs I applied to, and might have to take out some minor loans. 

[Dr. Old Bill]

I like Heliogabus' advice quite a bit. If you have a free ride, and if you enjoy all of the things that you would be going to school for (regardless of career outcomes), then do it for THAT reason. The worst case scenario is that you'll come out of it with a Master's degree in a field with somewhat limited options. Working in the arts or many administrative non-profit organizations are two significant options for someone with a Master's in English. There's not HUGE money potential in those fields, but you can usually make a solid livable wage in most cities in those fields. There are other complementary fields for an English M.A. as well, of course, but non-profit and arts organizations seem to be the most hand-in-glove fit.

Either way, I think the essence of your question ("does simply having an MA/PhD make me considerably more competitive for jobs outside of academia?") has an answer that lies somewhere between possibly and probably, with a large chunk of "it depends" thrown in the mix as well. It's worth remembering that schools have clearly read your materials and been impressed by them -- enough to pay you to attend. That's no small honor, especially given that this is a gradually shrinking industry. It is possible that once you start a program, you'll realize that it IS everything you wanted when you first applied a few months ago. Or you might realize that it's not something with long-term appeal. I can't help but think that coming out of it with an advanced degree can't hurt you...it just might not help you, depending on what it is you ultimately decide you want to do.

[heliogabalus]

One good thing about getting an MA--or spending any time in a graduate program--is that your writing should improve quite a bit. Perhaps you are already a phenomenal writer who knows how to seamlessly incorporate evidence into complex ideas, turning opaque concepts into clear prose--but I wasn't.  By the end, though, I was pretty good. Regardless of whether someone will offer you more money because you have an MA or not, being a good writer will be valued in most workplaces and can help with advancement.

That said, spending lots of time on Theory for your PhD could possibly ruin your writing, so that might be worth thinking about too. (I'm joking--well, half-way.)

Edited April 5, 2016 by heliogabalus