Probably a long shot, but...

Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 95

Does anyone have/planning on/know anyone going for a Phd in English?

Senior Member Joined: Oct 17 2011 Posts: 231

Hi,

Yes. My BIL is, and I also have a (female) friend who is. I am working on my Ph.D. in sociology, and several of my friends from shul are working on their Ph.D. (or have just finished) in various disciplines.

Why do you ask? Also, feel free to PM me if you want to talk about grad school (and its amazing highs and amazing lows)...

Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 95

I am asking because I am considering going for my doctorate in English. I just graduated with a Master's and I absolutely hated my program. (Don't want to say what it is because then I will "out" myself:) It wasn't your typical Jewish woman degree). I am very unhappy, and feel so bad about the whole thing, all the time and money that I wasted. I knew in my first semester that I didn't like it, but I figured I would give it one more semester, and by that time I was halfway through and didn't think it made sense to quit. Hindsight is a blessing and a curse. Anyway, I am now considering a Phd and would love to talk to someone who is doing their Phd in any discipline, and also specifically in English Literature.

Posted: Mon, May 21 2012, 6:41 pm Post subject: re: Probably a long shot, but...

Yes, I have mine. I loved the work and had some publishing success. The downside? There are virtually NO tenure-track jobs. Lesser schools won't hire me because they think I won't be happy. I'e had several one-year jobs but nothing permanent. I'm not geographically mobile because DH has a job that doesn't transfer and my kids are in school.

Active Poster Joined: Jul 06 2010 Posts: 95

amother, are you in the U.S.? We are planning on settling in Canada, wondering if there are more tenure jobs available there...