tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641380103674511209.post4634884933299812748..comments2023-10-07T17:55:41.348-04:00Comments on The Byproduct: The College ConundrumDaniel Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17773792243682789399noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641380103674511209.post-71901862649898829512012-10-16T11:00:52.452-04:002012-10-16T11:00:52.452-04:00Hi Ashley,
I do recall our work together. Thanks ...Hi Ashley,<br /><br />I do recall our work together. Thanks for contacting me.<br /><br />I think you hit the nail on the head in that last senitment in your post: if you want to work in higher education, which gives you a very solid conduit to the world of publishing (I write fiction, but many of my colleagues at UCF and FSCJ write research essays, textbooks, grant proposals, citizen journalism, etc.), then you'll have to go back to school.<br /><br />I find teaching very rewarding, and I like the scheduling and complexity of topics I engage with in higher education. <br /><br />If you want to work for a few years for a magazine or a journal, I would say do that without giving an MA another thought. You'll learn a lot about yourself as a writer (I did when I wrote for The Gresham Outlook), and that might give you the time to really decide on heading back for the advanced degree. No need to take on extra debt if you don't plan on teaching in higher education.<br /><br />The labor market is tight in higher education, but there are lots of opportunities. However, you'll have to be open to moving. That's just the reality of the situation. You could wait twenty years for a viable opportunity in NE Florida to work out.<br /><br />Stay in touch (dpowell@fscj.edu) and shoot me a note with any other questions or news you might have. <br /><br />And I hope things went well with the interview!<br /><br />Best,<br />DanDaniel Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17773792243682789399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2641380103674511209.post-90804803109362452632012-10-13T18:42:02.528-04:002012-10-13T18:42:02.528-04:00Professor Powell,
I don't know if you'll r...Professor Powell,<br />I don't know if you'll remember me, but I took your Creative Writing course about two, two and a half years ago. I'm about to graduate from UF with my Bachelor's and am constantly (it seems) struggling with the idea of Graduate school. Both my near and dear friends as well as my Professors now have told me to take some time and decide. A year off is nothing, they say. I'm honestly not sure what I want to do, and don't want to "waste" both time and money on a MA of English for no reason. I am fairly positive I want to write (something I credit to your class- a class I took as a fluke to be honest and didn't expect to enjoy quite as much as I did). I'm hoping to work in Publishing, maybe for a Newspaper or Magazine... hell, even an online journal would be nice. I landed an internship interview with Clay Today for a week from Monday which is GREAT! So, in your knowledgeable opinion, should I attempt to pursue a MA right now? With the way the job market is and the research I've done, all signs are pointing to a big NO. In fact, I've read that many people who have a Masters or even a PhD end up on food stamps because of the scarcity of jobs. That's scary. I don't necessarily need it for the job I hope to land, nor to be a writer or even a teacher (which seems to be the backup plan for all English majors), but I would if I want to do higher education. I'm torn... Any advice would be great!!<br />Thanks in advance,<br />Ashley Williamsashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314561734501047494noreply@blogger.com