What Should I do?

arabrab
Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:08:13 +0000

Maybe you should sit down with a career counselor at the school where you earned your M.A. and explore options. Are you flexible geographically? Could you get certified and teach higher level history courses (AP or IB) at a high school in another area? What kinds of jobs are people finding who graduate with an MA in history now? My guess is that not too many are finding faculty positions at colleges - even PhDs in history and English are having a mighty hard time finding full-time work.

It sounds harsh, but one of your biggest hurdles would seem to be getting over the notions that you’re “too old” and thinking that your history and education training is useless outside academia. If you go into the process feeling like you won’t make it, you are probably right.

But I promise you that most students graduating with history degrees today are not going into academia. Look at where they’re going, and figure out what strengths they are using to get there.

It isn’t easy, but since you’re already dead-ended, perhaps it is time to figure out a game change that gives you real opportunities. Carpe diem!