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Re: Masters degree in English

I'm not in the humanities, but I would be very surprised if your former career as a journalist is held against you. That said, I hope you are aware how hard to get jobs like that are. I would suggest you go to the Chronicle of Higher Education's website (chronicle.com), create an account and check out/post to some of the fora there. You might get a better, more-informed sense of the realities of what you're shooting for. Further, if you think there's any chance you'd like to go on for the PhD, if there's a way you can do it in the business school (say, corporate communications or marketing) your job prospects will be ever so much more promising (and rewarding). At reasonably good universities PhD's in English (from really top-market programs) are a dime-a-dozen and they are paid accordingly. You'll make twice as much (or more) money teaching in the business school, and there will be more jobs available to boot!

 

Re: Masters degree in English

If a community college is desperate for adjuncts, you might be able to teach a few courses right now. I taught a public speaking class based on my journalism experience. It will get your foot in the door.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

Don't do it for a career change.

If you want to do it because you want to study the material, then it's not a terrible idea.

But don't do it for a career.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

If you go back for a master's in English, make sure to double-major in a Romance language so you can differentiate between tall, grande and venti.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

This makes Creosote's Jeep shopping look like economic brilliance.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

This. A thousand times this.

Otherwise you will hate every second of grad school.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

Anything else you're interested in with a communications degree or public policy? Those programs can lead to good internships, depending on where you're at.

I'm in my mid 30s and in grad school for political science. The journalism experience is at least getting me in the door for some jobs, as well as the year I've spent working in the University Relations office as a grad assistant.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

Well, I'm intimately familiar with community college in California, but I'm support staff, not faculty.
Those are tough spots to land; but there is hope.
A huge percentage of full-time faculty in California are expected to retire in the next five years.
Also, get yourself a community college teaching certificate. Very hard to land an adjunct spot in California without one.
In addition the the grad degree, you really need classroom experience. Being a grad asistant will help and so will a CC teaching cert.
Learn everything you can about 'student learning outcomes' as a pedagological strategy. You'll kill every interview.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

Dr. J has an English degree and sells cars. That's all I have to add.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

Sorry to hear that.
After I bailed on the newspaper business I went back to school for a MAT (Masters of Arts in Teaching) and thoroughly enjoy grad school and my new career. I hope everything works out for you.

 

Re: Masters degree in English

There are jobs out there. They are crappy jobs, and you will be underemployed -- but I assure you they are out there. I've been working in retail for seven years now. I can barely survive, but my husband and I have great insurance and I'm making enough to put a little towards a 401K. I'm still looking for another job while I squeak by.