Dr. Tisby, thank you for your vulnerability in writing this. It is freeing to know that I am not alone. I am 25 and in my final year of my M.Div. in Birmingham, and have been overwhelmed with the unknown of what is next. I have been vacillating between serving in a local church context or doing a MA or PhD in American Religious History. I am torn between the two. Do you think both can be done well? How did you know that a PhD and not pastoral ministry was for you?
Looking forward to reading more through this newsletter.
This really resonated with me today. I got a BA in history a couple of years ago with the intent of joining the Peace Corps before grad school and that fell through. I ended up working at a credit union which I hated, then Starbucks for a while because I just didn't know what to do with myself. I am currently working at a small, rural library in West Michigan and love it, but I know this isn't what I want to do forever. I have always known that I want to go back to school and continue studying history because I love it, first get an MA and then hopefully a PhD. Can I ask, is it worth it going back to school? I honestly have no idea what I want to do with it once I get it. I always thought I would want to teach, but now I'm not sure. I really just love the study of history and want to continue. Do you have any advice for an aspiring historian who still doesn't know what to do with her life?
Many thanks. I look forward to your newsletter next week!
Hi, Anna. Really great thoughts. I think pursuing the Masters will make it clear whether it's worth pursuing a PhD. Money, in my opinion, is a big factor. Masters degrees can be very expensive. I would NOT pursue a PhD without full funding (most respected programs offer this). Everyone will tell you the job market in higher ed, especially in the Liberal Arts, is very, very tough. That said, I would never dissuade anyone from pursuing their passion. The resources and path will emerge as you go.
Dr. Tisby, thank you for your vulnerability in writing this. It is freeing to know that I am not alone. I am 25 and in my final year of my M.Div. in Birmingham, and have been overwhelmed with the unknown of what is next. I have been vacillating between serving in a local church context or doing a MA or PhD in American Religious History. I am torn between the two. Do you think both can be done well? How did you know that a PhD and not pastoral ministry was for you?
Looking forward to reading more through this newsletter.
Samuel Hagos
This really resonated with me today. I got a BA in history a couple of years ago with the intent of joining the Peace Corps before grad school and that fell through. I ended up working at a credit union which I hated, then Starbucks for a while because I just didn't know what to do with myself. I am currently working at a small, rural library in West Michigan and love it, but I know this isn't what I want to do forever. I have always known that I want to go back to school and continue studying history because I love it, first get an MA and then hopefully a PhD. Can I ask, is it worth it going back to school? I honestly have no idea what I want to do with it once I get it. I always thought I would want to teach, but now I'm not sure. I really just love the study of history and want to continue. Do you have any advice for an aspiring historian who still doesn't know what to do with her life?
Many thanks. I look forward to your newsletter next week!
Anna
Hi, Anna. Really great thoughts. I think pursuing the Masters will make it clear whether it's worth pursuing a PhD. Money, in my opinion, is a big factor. Masters degrees can be very expensive. I would NOT pursue a PhD without full funding (most respected programs offer this). Everyone will tell you the job market in higher ed, especially in the Liberal Arts, is very, very tough. That said, I would never dissuade anyone from pursuing their passion. The resources and path will emerge as you go.