Ufffdaaa Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 I've always planned on getting my PhD (in comp/rhet), but I put it off while my husband got his masters. I have an MA in English composition. This year, I somehow landed a job as a full-time lecturer in a writing program at a top university. It has benefits and a good salary. After 5 years, it also comes with some job security. I've already applied to PhD programs for fall 2018. But, my question is: do I leave the job for a PhD that might not get me a job that's any better than the one I have? Many of the other lecturers have PhDs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unicornsarereal Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 Nothing can be done until you see where you get in, so parcel up some of your anxiety for when results come out. Otherwise, I have little else to say aside from this sounds like a personal and tough decision! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ufffdaaa Posted December 10, 2017 Author Share Posted December 10, 2017 I finished my applications early (end of October). This dilemma coupled with the tax plan (and the dismal academic job market) has me writing off going for a PhD altogether. I want to make an objective decision before I know the results because I think that I'll be blinded if I get any offers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigla Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 7 minutes ago, Wooshkuh said: I finished my applications early (end of October). This dilemma coupled with the tax plan (and the dismal academic job market) has me writing off going for a PhD altogether. I want to make an objective decision before I know the results because I think that I'll be blinded if I get any offers. Talk with your husband and fellow faculty members. Avoid the leaving aspect, but try and figure out whether a PhD is necessary. If it is seen as a necessary and critical step then leave the PhD door open, however, if it is more of a CV item then it becomes a purely personal and familial decision. That is where you and your husband need to decide whether a PhD fits into your future plans and ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bumblebea Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 (edited) My friend has been wrestling with this question for the past five years. He has a really great job at a community college but is still sort of itching to get his PhD in rhet/comp. He's gotten into some programs but has made the decision to not pursue the PhD for the time being. Obviously no one knows what the future will bring, and rhet/comp accounts for a lot of the jobs out there right now. But with the tax bill that the GOP is jonesing to push through ... I don't know. This is a bleak time to be an academic--I really can't stress how terrible the job market is right now (it's fallen off a cliff in the past few years to completely unprecedented lows). But then again, there's no such thing as "job security" for any of us, even in a long-term lecturer gig. Your position, though seemingly secure, could be extinct in a couple years, as far fewer students are going to college to study the humanities. So that's why I would recommend that you do what is right for you and what you really want. Edited December 10, 2017 by Bumblebea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now