tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post3432003390085298855..comments2024-01-28T03:35:51.182-05:00Comments on Reassigned Time: In Which I Solidify My Reputation as the Gleeful Purveyor of DoomDr. Crazyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12457967076373916629noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-14322144417714048402008-09-30T23:52:00.000-04:002008-09-30T23:52:00.000-04:00I've been trying for years to dissuade brilliant s...I've been trying for years to dissuade brilliant students (and some not-so-brilliant students) from getting PhDs in English. I recently bookmarked the comment below from a CHE forum, and from now on, when a student wants to have that talk, I will make them read this post. Then, if they're still interested, we can talk.<BR/><BR/>http://tinyurl.com/4do9w7<BR/><BR/>It's bracing, but exactly what they need to hear, I think.Shane in SLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09009969830290878311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-30235511211956923842008-09-30T16:09:00.000-04:002008-09-30T16:09:00.000-04:00I usually end up advising against graduate school ...I usually end up advising against graduate school for kids who come talk to me. There are jobs in my field, but after I explain that they could start working and making money when they graduate. Or they could take a master's and spend money. At the end of two years, they will end up in about the same level of job. <BR/><BR/>Yes, you can go on for a doctorate, I tell them. But it is a long, hard row to hoe and if you are not totally dedicated, it is not going to be worth it.<BR/><BR/>And for most of them, their faces fall.<BR/><BR/>And, funny story, I run our grad program.MommyProfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12040890762575693250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-49692881979658673592008-09-30T00:50:00.000-04:002008-09-30T00:50:00.000-04:00Something to consider: I have to masters and a ph...Something to consider: I have to masters and a phd (and a tenure track job). I was given the doom and gloom talk by my mentors as an undergraduate. I recognize, now, that that's what it was. But back then, all I heard was "You are not smart enough to go to grad school." So I'd just preface your talk with "I am not saying that you are not smart enough to go to grad school." And maybe end it with that too.Constancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02582447465100597540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-89260170706890443022008-09-29T22:50:00.000-04:002008-09-29T22:50:00.000-04:00Well, when I was an undergraduate at Prestigious U...Well, when I was an undergraduate at Prestigious U. in the mid-1970s, the first collapse of the job market was underway. I went to see one of my professors and asked for advice on where to apply to grad school. He said "Don't". And only after he'd explained what was going on (he was the dept. placement officer) was he willing to say, well, if you are determined, etc.<BR/><BR/>I always was glad I had that conversation. And my advisor, when I first met him, said, "And what are you going to do when you don't get a job?" So it was real to me the whole time.<BR/><BR/>And I think you are right that there is a certain amount of our teaching persona that is us, and that's what students respond to.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716705206734059708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-40946947566386149542008-09-29T22:21:00.000-04:002008-09-29T22:21:00.000-04:00As usual when you're talking about teaching, I agr...As usual when you're talking about teaching, I agree with what you write here. But, mostly I just wanted to say that I love your title of Gleeful Purveyor of Doom.life_of_a_foolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05427532203981697246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20099192.post-90354690901796934652008-09-29T22:08:00.000-04:002008-09-29T22:08:00.000-04:00I have so looked at your RMP ratings :) and indee...I have so looked at your RMP ratings :) and indeed, it is very interesting, the responses you inspire.<BR/><BR/>my current dept. chair is very much of the mind that we shouldn't encourage students too much or, rather, that they should hear the realities of the field. I am in favor of that so long as we aren't also telling students they're never going to make it, which is what I heard as an undergraduate. If you did it, it would be really hard and you might not get a job is different from you should just give up now because you'll never get anywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com