Considering a PhD program
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Anonymous
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I went back to school when I was 27 for a M.A (I'm 35 now, with a toddler and a husband and a steady, decently salaried job in Public Affairs), and I absolutely loved it. I went part time, but always wished that I could have gone full time. I'd love to teach eventually, and I understand that I'd have to take a huge pay cut (obviously a concern). I can't help wondering if this is a pipe dream at this point, or something I could pursue. Maryland offers a PhD in my field of interest, although my dream program is at Columbia, but I don't think I could move my entire family to New York.
I can't help wondering if I should or even could get my PhD at this point in my life. I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone back to school after working for a while... |
Anonymous
| What do you intend to do with the degree |
Anonymous
| OP here. I'd love to teach, but I have a master's degree in something that I don't readily use in my job. I have a joint degree in Women's Studies and Public Policy. I really just got a Master's for the joy of learning...expensive I know, but it was so wonderful. |
Anonymous
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What field?
What is your current salary? 70% of college instruction is currently performed by adjunct instructors. You maybe have a 50% chance of landing an adjunct spot if you have a good degree and publications. You can expect average pay of just south of 3K per course. You maybe could teach 5 courses per semester without kiling yourself? As long as they were spread across no more than 2 separate institutions. Also, you probably won't get health insurance. Honestly? Doing a PhD in order to teach is a career path that I would dissuade anyone from at the moment. You need to seriously research this before you commit. More info: http://adjunctaction.org/facts-figures/ http://adjunct.chronicle.com/ |
Anonymous
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I'd want to do a PhD in sociology with a focus in women's studies or race/class/gender.
Currently I make over $100k + bonuses, so I know it would be a huge pay cut. I wonder if taking the classes part time would be enough for me... |
Anonymous
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I highly recommend you take those classes part-time, or just keep up to date with publications and books in the field.
A PhD nowadays is almost guaranteed to be a ticket for low-paying teaching jobs. It's a gamble for a 21 year old... but even more for a 35 year old. |
Anonymous
| get a library card or take classes part time. |
Anonymous
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And what job would you hope to get with that?
Because you wouldn't get a tenure train professor position. Adjunct gigs are hard to come by and pay about three to six thousand per class. Take a MOOC or something. |
Anonymous
| Look for public affairs jobs at a university. Then take reduced price or free classes in your spare time. |
Anonymous
| Also, is there a way you could volunteer or adjunct teach to see if you truly enjoyed teaching? |
Anonymous
| OP here - these are great ideas. I think I can teach locally, at least a class. That might be the first step. |
Anonymous
Its not just pay cut of 80% or so, but also enormous status-cut. It might not sound important, but it would be very drastic and, unless you absolutely, totally abhore your current job, it would likely get to you. |
Anonymous
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I did it. Like you, my program was offered locally and at Columbia. My options were to enslave myself for 7 years and go back to student living in NY. Or keep my full time job and let my company pay for it while I went Part time. I was 30 at the time and really had no desire to go back to eating mac & cheese and ramen on a regular basis.
It took me 5 years to finish. 2 for the extra course work above my masters and 3 for the dissertation. I loved doing the research. I loved the courses. And now I teach as an adjunct. Until I retire, I don't think I would consider full time teaching. As it is, I teach 2 courses a semester. I get to interact with the students. I continue to research and publish and attend conferences. For me, I practice what I teach during the day and teach to others in the evening. It's the best of all worlds IMO. BTW--I don't think I would have gotten the teaching position without the Phd |
Anonymous
So you still have your f/t gig, right? You are teaching in addition to a day job? |
Anonymous
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My DW was in a similar position, although early 30s. She had the option of going full time to a $$$ private institution (Hopkins) that was really well known or go part time to a less renowned (GW) place that her employer would pay for while she continued to work.
She chose the later and it's been a great decision. |