Wow, that's a definitely scary article, but something that I've found true myself, when I was applying to get a teaching practicum. It was nearly impossible, and I ended up doing an internship instead, which I no way regret. One upside to the creative side of the MFA though: I have been told by a couple of agents that a publisher will take an MFA thesis manuscript more seriously when it considering it for publication.
In no way should anyone interpret my posting of this article as an indictment of our program, though it would certainly extend to some "prestigious" creative-only MFA programs. The article is an accurate depiction of the Humanities PhD/Academic tenure track mill. The truths in this article are this program's reason for existing. Which is not to say that some lucky and hard-working few of you won't end up taking that road and actually getting somewhere on it--if you do, it will be because of your professional writing credentials in combination with your academic degree, not merely due to the degree.
The one thing we have coming from a professional writing MFA program is the fact that we are versatile. I was talking to my wife this week about the handful of interviews I went through after graduating and this was the result. I interviewed for a position at Trinity and Uconn in their PR department. I also interviewed for a PR position at the Uconn alumni division. And I didn't get hired. But the interview was based on my web skills, and the fact that I had written journalistic pieces, book reviews, and worked in some way in the academic world (as a tutor). No job. Then I had an interview with ESPN for boxing editor, which would be cool, but it didn't work out. Then I interviewed with the local newspaper as reporter. Didn't get that job. Over the last two weeks, the local newspaper is creating mandatory furloughs for its employees and cutting out others completely. ESPN announced that it was cutting back and implementing a wage and hiring freeze. The one job I did get was because I worked there for 8 years part time, new the students and the college well, and just happened to get my MFA (a terminal degree) when the job opened.
The more skills and styles of writing that you can add to your portfolio - the more opportunity you will find. There is a desperate need (regardless of what people say) to find people who can write well in electronic media, journalism (which is becoming electronic media), editing, and public relations. We all have to become chameleons to make it work in this day and age. Be ready to change your colors (be versatile) and show off the high standard that has come with this program to people who need you.
Great points, Ron. Breadth and depth of experience makes a person stand out, as does the results he/she delivers in each position held. A degree is a good thing to have but in a lot of places it comes down to not just what you know, but what you can do...and your ability to continuously build new skills and competencies to meet changing needs. And what I truly believe is up there is networking. Meeting people and being able to articulate to someone how you need their help in this job market is critical. Too many people rely on just sending out resumes. As you said, you landed somewhere you had invested in building a relationship. So important. Anne
I do think a graduate or doctorate program from any school to which a student paid money owes that student in return the opportunity to be employed there. I stress the word “opportunity.” I don't mean it has to hire only from that pool of job seekers or even give a preference, and I don't mean a scoot-to-the-top of the candidate list. But, certainly, at least, a student who has paid a lot of money to receive a degree from a program deserves the courtesy of consideration in the event that the former student applies for work there. Why? 1. The student's tuition dollars helped keep and build that program and helped employ every person within it. 2. The student is a known commodity and that holds advantages for the search committee. 3. It is to the program's advantage to hire within when possible in order to add that as a recruitment carrot for others to consider studying within the program. Other programs hire from within and it’s extra incentive to study there. Shunning former students who are now seeking academic employment from where they financed and earned a degree only creates bitterness. Best Wishes! Don
Don, I agree with you on some level, though I wouldn't go so far as to say "owes" (would the institution owe the bottom-ranked graduate the same opportunity as the top-ranked graduate?); and I think you'd find that many institutions agree as well, but only to a certain degree. WestConn is actually very good about this, especially the Writing Dept. Some of our MFA grads, like you, who live in the immediate area have maintained a connection by teaching either in the MFA program as mentors or adjuncting undergrad courses for the Writing Dept.--it's been one of my goals as coordinator bo maintain these relationships. As you say, it helps to build institutional culture within the program and promotes a greater sense of community. This happens at many schools with adjuncts, less frequently with tenure track positions. The problem with tenure track positions, of course, is that there just aren't that many of them. Our department, for example, has only hired two tenure-track positions in the last five years. WestConn is actually among the better institutions I've seen about considering "their own" for full-time positions. That is, there is no prohibition against it, as there are at many schools, whether spoken or unspoken.
Well, "owes" might be the wrong word, but as I said, students from the school they graduated from should receive "consideration." Private business is very attached to this idea -- a graduate from so-and-so-college is offered consideration simply because they are from so-and-so-college (maybe the founder came from there or something). In fact, most of the employemnt world is married to this idea and something like 90 percent of all people hired are hired because of some connection. And, yes, I agree with you, WCSU's Writing Dept. is good about this and so are its MFA Writing mentors.
What a frightening scenario for the humanities graduate student. The purist in me wants to laud learning for one's passion's sake, but how can one self-actualize his or her dream if there is no dreamscape on which to enact it? Even the most ardent humanities major needs to move forward with a realistic notion of the odds against the perfect outcome of higher education teaching, or else risk bitter disappointed if no secure professorship waits.
WestConn's MFA mission certainly opens more doors than the one-track humanities professor route by requiring a practical focus be paired with the usually more creative endeavour. Yet, that "training" is just a start. As the program grows we participants need to establish(as Anne said)networks among ourselves - even outside the university - that will link grads and introduce new students to alternative careers that nurture each others' creativity and respect for language and authentic communication in the private sector.
Don, you're absolutely correct. Many companies recruit from specific schools, and lean towards those where either there's a connection or where the institution is known in a certain field. For example,Syracuse and BU are heavily recruited in communications, Wharton for business, etc. However, while a company's recruitment dollars may be targeted at certain schools, I still think the emphasis is placed on qualificiations or sheer hutzpah. But getting a corporate job seems easier than getting an academic post (although today probably anything is tough!)
Laura, I agree. Our network is very strong in this MFA program. I never walk away from visiting a residency without taking away at least one or two valuable leads or pieces of advice I can immediately put into action. On a personal note, I'll share a lesson learned. Always continue to build your network broadly, don't just rely on those in your immediate sphere. I only mention this because when I left GE, I recognized what an outstanding network of people I had gathered during ten years but that I had pretty much limited my networking to associations within the company. When I left corporate life I was amazed at how suddenly my network expanded to all the areas of my life that were important, not just my job. You can never know too many people...and always be ready to be on the giving side of the equation and lend a hand when needed. I truly think the art of networking, mentoring, giving and receiving, is the number one factor for a person's success. Anne
A humanities degrees comes with a certain level of pitfalls because the lack of value society places on arts of all forms. If you check out page 33 in the National Endowment for the Arts Artists in the Workforce report (http://www.nea.gov/research/ArtistsInWorkforce.pdf) you will see that the median income (2005 dollars) for writers and authors based on census date is $38,800. The report states, "With a median income of $38,800, writers have higher incomes than most artist groups, exceeded only by architects and producers. More than half are full-year, full-time workers, a level well below that for architects and producers. Only 33 percent are employed by for-profit companies, and 46 percent are self-employed." Not very encouraging, is it?
I've noticed that for whatever reason, community colleges are not seen as a viable teaching opportunity (hence the shudder mentioned in this article). There must be something to working at a CC, the majority of faculty at Asnuntuck CC have been teaching on the average 25-30 years!
I do believe that a master's does open doors, but no matter how you slice it, humanities is an underpaid profession. The trick is to find a balance that will allow that master's to serve you well. To think that being an adjunct is going to somehow give you a toehold to a tenure-track position is unrealisitic given campus politics.
Would I consider a Ph.D.? Hell no. A Ph.D. does not earn you more bucks in teaching, I've seen it first hand. I was making more as an Admin Asst with no degree that some first-time, full-time Ph.D. faculty hired for tenure-track positions. So in that regard, I agree with the article.
10 comments:
Wow, that's a definitely scary article, but something that I've found true myself, when I was applying to get a teaching practicum. It was nearly impossible, and I ended up doing an internship instead, which I no way regret. One upside to the creative side of the MFA though: I have been told by a couple of agents that a publisher will take an MFA thesis manuscript more seriously when it considering it for publication.
In no way should anyone interpret my posting of this article as an indictment of our program, though it would certainly extend to some "prestigious" creative-only MFA programs. The article is an accurate depiction of the Humanities PhD/Academic tenure track mill. The truths in this article are this program's reason for existing. Which is not to say that some lucky and hard-working few of you won't end up taking that road and actually getting somewhere on it--if you do, it will be because of your professional writing credentials in combination with your academic degree, not merely due to the degree.
The one thing we have coming from a professional writing MFA program is the fact that we are versatile. I was talking to my wife this week about the handful of interviews I went through after graduating and this was the result. I interviewed for a position at Trinity and Uconn in their PR department. I also interviewed for a PR position at the Uconn alumni division. And I didn't get hired. But the interview was based on my web skills, and the fact that I had written journalistic pieces, book reviews, and worked in some way in the academic world (as a tutor). No job. Then I had an interview with ESPN for boxing editor, which would be cool, but it didn't work out. Then I interviewed with the local newspaper as reporter. Didn't get that job. Over the last two weeks, the local newspaper is creating mandatory furloughs for its employees and cutting out others completely. ESPN announced that it was cutting back and implementing a wage and hiring freeze. The one job I did get was because I worked there for 8 years part time, new the students and the college well, and just happened to get my MFA (a terminal degree) when the job opened.
The more skills and styles of writing that you can add to your portfolio - the more opportunity you will find. There is a desperate need (regardless of what people say) to find people who can write well in electronic media, journalism (which is becoming electronic media), editing, and public relations. We all have to become chameleons to make it work in this day and age. Be ready to change your colors (be versatile) and show off the high standard that has come with this program to people who need you.
Great points, Ron. Breadth and depth of experience makes a person stand out, as does the results he/she delivers in each position held. A degree is a good thing to have but in a lot of places it comes down to not just what you know, but what you can do...and your ability to continuously build new skills and competencies to meet changing needs. And what I truly believe is up there is networking. Meeting people and being able to articulate to someone how you need their help in this job market is critical. Too many people rely on just sending out resumes. As you said, you landed somewhere you had invested in building a relationship. So important.
Anne
I do think a graduate or doctorate program from any school to which a student paid money owes that student in return the opportunity to be employed there. I stress the word “opportunity.” I don't mean it has to hire only from that pool of job seekers or even give a preference, and I don't mean a scoot-to-the-top of the candidate list. But, certainly, at least, a student who has paid a lot of money to receive a degree from a program deserves the courtesy of consideration in the event that the former student applies for work there. Why?
1. The student's tuition dollars helped keep and build that program and helped employ every person within it.
2. The student is a known commodity and that holds advantages for the search committee.
3. It is to the program's advantage to hire within when possible in order to add that as a recruitment carrot for others to consider studying within the program. Other programs hire from within and it’s extra incentive to study there.
Shunning former students who are now seeking academic employment from where they financed and earned a degree only creates bitterness.
Best Wishes!
Don
Don, I agree with you on some level, though I wouldn't go so far as to say "owes" (would the institution owe the bottom-ranked graduate the same opportunity as the top-ranked graduate?); and I think you'd find that many institutions agree as well, but only to a certain degree. WestConn is actually very good about this, especially the Writing Dept. Some of our MFA grads, like you, who live in the immediate area have maintained a connection by teaching either in the MFA program as mentors or adjuncting undergrad courses for the Writing Dept.--it's been one of my goals as coordinator bo maintain these relationships. As you say, it helps to build institutional culture within the program and promotes a greater sense of community. This happens at many schools with adjuncts, less frequently with tenure track positions. The problem with tenure track positions, of course, is that there just aren't that many of them. Our department, for example, has only hired two tenure-track positions in the last five years. WestConn is actually among the better institutions I've seen about considering "their own" for full-time positions. That is, there is no prohibition against it, as there are at many schools, whether spoken or unspoken.
Well, "owes" might be the wrong word, but as I said, students from the school they graduated from should receive "consideration." Private business is very attached to this idea -- a graduate from so-and-so-college is offered consideration simply because they are from so-and-so-college (maybe the founder came from there or something). In fact, most of the employemnt world is married to this idea and something like 90 percent of all people hired are hired because of some connection. And, yes, I agree with you, WCSU's Writing Dept. is good about this and so are its MFA Writing mentors.
What a frightening scenario for the humanities graduate student. The purist in me wants to laud learning for one's passion's sake, but how can one self-actualize his or her dream if there is no dreamscape on which to enact it? Even the most ardent humanities major needs to move forward with a realistic notion of the odds against the perfect outcome of higher education teaching, or else risk bitter disappointed if no secure professorship waits.
WestConn's MFA mission certainly opens more doors than the one-track humanities professor route by requiring a practical focus be paired with the usually more creative endeavour. Yet, that "training" is just a start. As the program grows we participants need to establish(as Anne said)networks among ourselves - even outside the university - that will link grads and introduce new students to alternative careers that nurture each others' creativity and respect for language and authentic communication in the private sector.
A couple of adds to this thread...
Don, you're absolutely correct. Many companies recruit from specific schools, and lean towards those where either there's a connection or where the institution is known in a certain field. For example,Syracuse and BU are heavily recruited in communications, Wharton for business, etc. However, while a company's recruitment dollars may be targeted at certain schools, I still think the emphasis is placed on qualificiations or sheer hutzpah. But getting a corporate job seems easier than getting an academic post (although today probably anything is tough!)
Laura, I agree. Our network is very strong in this MFA program. I never walk away from visiting a residency without taking away at least one or two valuable leads or pieces of advice I can immediately put into action. On a personal note, I'll share a lesson learned. Always continue to build your network broadly, don't just rely on those in your immediate sphere. I only mention this because when I left GE, I recognized what an outstanding network of people I had gathered during ten years but that I had pretty much limited my networking to associations within the company. When I left corporate life I was amazed at how suddenly my network expanded to all the areas of my life that were important, not just my job. You can never know too many people...and always be ready to be on the giving side of the equation and lend a hand when needed. I truly think the art of networking, mentoring, giving and receiving, is the number one factor for a person's success.
Anne
A humanities degrees comes with a certain level of pitfalls because the lack of value society places on arts of all forms. If you check out page 33 in the National Endowment for the Arts Artists in the Workforce report (http://www.nea.gov/research/ArtistsInWorkforce.pdf) you will see that the median income (2005 dollars) for writers and authors based on census date is $38,800. The report states, "With a median income of $38,800, writers have higher incomes than most artist groups, exceeded only by architects and producers. More than half are full-year, full-time workers, a level well below that for architects and producers. Only 33 percent are employed by for-profit companies, and 46 percent are self-employed." Not very encouraging, is it?
I've noticed that for whatever reason, community colleges are not seen as a viable teaching opportunity (hence the shudder mentioned in this article). There must be something to working at a CC, the majority of faculty at Asnuntuck CC have been teaching on the average 25-30 years!
I do believe that a master's does open doors, but no matter how you slice it, humanities is an underpaid profession. The trick is to find a balance that will allow that master's to serve you well. To think that being an adjunct is going to somehow give you a toehold to a tenure-track position is unrealisitic given campus politics.
Would I consider a Ph.D.? Hell no. A Ph.D. does not earn you more bucks in teaching, I've seen it first hand. I was making more as an Admin Asst with no degree that some first-time, full-time Ph.D. faculty hired for tenure-track positions. So in that regard, I agree with the article.
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