PenforPrez
03-04-2007, 10:02 PM
I've been urged by a lot of people to go back to school. My universal reply to them has been: "Yeah, and take what?" Which is a dumb question, I realize, but I can't just spend $50k on it without some sort of plan.
A good friend of mine who knows far more than I do about these things was encouraging me yesterday to go back to school in a history capacity. He took a lot of history classes at a prestigious St. Louis college, and now he's about to get a law degree from another college in that category.
He knows the Civil War is my favorite historical period, and he felt I would find the fit I was looking for in going to his first school and working under a respected Civil War historian there. He felt, in all seriousness, that I would make a much better TA/protege than anybody else in the position currently, and that I would be much happier there.
His arguments were that, for one thing, I would need a masters for most historical positions at museums and such, which I already knew. Two, it gets me out of my current home situation (which I desperately need) and studying and allowing for a more gradual transition. Third, he said it would be a perfect fit for me and my needs. I don't doubt that.
My friend was all playing up how he knows this professor personally and could help nail a couple of influential recommendations. I could do the same thing myself, and I would, but every bit helps. ;)
I sat quietly and listened. Now, enter the loop of indecisiveness that seems to rule my life. I have two concerns here. One, I've talked myself out of grad school a couple of times already, including one time I do regret, but all in all was the right decision.
Two, I'm just not keen on writing and researching history right now. I'd REALLY have to have my shit together to be ready for grad school, and these days, I have enough trouble finding the energy to get out of bed. I'm not keen on it, but I'm not keen on anything else. I wonder sometimes if I'm not good at anything outside of the quiz bowl realm.
Nonetheless, it costs little to look into it, and my friend seemed insistent on seeing what he could do. With support like that, I'd offend if I didn't at least look at the situation.
Thoughts? :)
Paul
A good friend of mine who knows far more than I do about these things was encouraging me yesterday to go back to school in a history capacity. He took a lot of history classes at a prestigious St. Louis college, and now he's about to get a law degree from another college in that category.
He knows the Civil War is my favorite historical period, and he felt I would find the fit I was looking for in going to his first school and working under a respected Civil War historian there. He felt, in all seriousness, that I would make a much better TA/protege than anybody else in the position currently, and that I would be much happier there.
His arguments were that, for one thing, I would need a masters for most historical positions at museums and such, which I already knew. Two, it gets me out of my current home situation (which I desperately need) and studying and allowing for a more gradual transition. Third, he said it would be a perfect fit for me and my needs. I don't doubt that.
My friend was all playing up how he knows this professor personally and could help nail a couple of influential recommendations. I could do the same thing myself, and I would, but every bit helps. ;)
I sat quietly and listened. Now, enter the loop of indecisiveness that seems to rule my life. I have two concerns here. One, I've talked myself out of grad school a couple of times already, including one time I do regret, but all in all was the right decision.
Two, I'm just not keen on writing and researching history right now. I'd REALLY have to have my shit together to be ready for grad school, and these days, I have enough trouble finding the energy to get out of bed. I'm not keen on it, but I'm not keen on anything else. I wonder sometimes if I'm not good at anything outside of the quiz bowl realm.
Nonetheless, it costs little to look into it, and my friend seemed insistent on seeing what he could do. With support like that, I'd offend if I didn't at least look at the situation.
Thoughts? :)
Paul