<p>I need a PhD to advance in my career. I have been accepted into a program but have no funding. I worked so hard to get here (almost five years) and it kills me not to proceed. But I refused to take on debt (probably around 200K to complete). I am a teacher (15yrs)and want to be a teacher--I am too old to change. I don't know what other careers are available. I have a BA and two MA's (history/eduaction)--outside of academia they are probably useless. I don't think I have it in me to spend more time "forcing" this goal. What should I do?</p>
<p>Well, if you can’t afford it, you can’t afford it. Are you a secondary school teacher? What’s the pressure to pursue a PhD?</p>
<p>I teach as an adjunct at a community college. My department requires a PhD for a fulltime position. I can teach part-time forever, but that pays less than retail with no benefits. I checked in to high school teaching, but that was less promising. Last year my county had 12 positions for s.s. teachers and over 100 applications. The cost of obtaining certification is around 2K, so I decided that the lack of job possibilties was not worth the time and expense of testing.</p>
<p>What do you want from us? If you want the degree then pay for it. You’re going to benefit from it.</p>
<p>Unless you find a much less expensive PhD program, you’re really stuck. Even if you get the PhD, is there any promise that you WILL get the full-time position? When my M-I-L retired from her CC faculty position, she was replaced with three part-time instructors, all of whom had PhDs in the subject, and all of whom were trying to cobble together a barely living wage with no benefits when they were paid on the order of $3500 per course taught at the college. Some were commuting between three campuses a week to try and put together a six course teaching load.</p>
<p>I agree–I am stuck! The two options I see are (1) switch careers or (2) continue to look for funding. I have explored every program within a reasonable driving distance from my home and applied to the best fits. Only 1 of 3 accepted me. I have applied for a few outside sources of funding, but there is little for which I qualify (age, race,…). Do you have suggestions as to careers to explore with a MA in history and education? And/or suggestions about where to look for funding? I looked through every graduate funding/grant source book available at the Library of Congress and countless databases. Have I missed something?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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!</p>
<p>I would vote for switching careers. I agree that the CC you work for will have little incentive to hire you full time. You will be competing against students who were funded and can’t get a full time job. Non science PhDs are mostly unemployed or working outside of their fields.</p>
<p>Their are tons of history majors in businesses of all kinds. Maybe you can do some career apptitude testing. Good luck!</p>
<p>Do you have a spouse? If not, can you relocate to an area that needs more high school teachers?</p>
<p>Hi–Thanks for all of your ideas. I do have a family and so relocation is not a possibility. I have been to the career center at my university but they offered little more than a how to brochure and a list of careers for my major. I have been applying for those type of jobs. But to no avail. The careers that seem available are museum and archive work, but these employers want employees who studied this specific area of history. I am a researcher and have no experience in these fields.</p>
<p>Sorry about my attitude, but I am losing hope. I have been looking for funding and/or a job since last May. Thus far all I have received from funding is rejection letters “I am sorry but you were not one of the best candidates…” and not one interview.</p>
<p>You have been a teacher for 15 years and you don’t want to change jobs, you can’t move to a different area which has more opportunity, and you cannot get another degree because it would cost too much.</p>
<p>You do indeed sound stuck. Since the additional degree is too expensive it is not an option for you. If you need a full time job and want to stay in the same area, but there are no teacher jobs available, then you need to be willing to work in a different job. Sometimes we have to do work that we do not like in order to pay the bills and be able to afford to live (either basically or comfortably). My suggestion would be to look around for jobs that you would be capable of doing which would pay you the amount of money you need to make. If you have to stay in a certain area then you need to be flexible in what you are willing to do for a living. You may find that you enjoy doing something other than teaching.</p>
<p>Good Luck</p>
<p>OP, when I worked for one of the biggest insurance companies in the world, I saw they hire a lot of teachers for corporate trainers, insurance agents, claim adjusters etc. You can see the connection here, I am sure, between a teacher and a trainer. You may not see the connection between a teacher and an insurance agent. Think about it, they are basically in sale – they sell different things to different market. (In fact, insurance companies would love to hire preachers to be insurance salesperson!
There, if you embrace this kind of view, you’ll find your relevance outside academia.</p>
<p>If you love teaching, continue it. Go for a public HS position. Before you go in this direction, be sure to speak with someone in your district about the chances of getting a job after getting your certification. I think you’re probably very well qualified, since you already have an MA and 15 years of experience. The good thing about this is that public schools are well funded. (and may even pay for your PhD coursework)!</p>
<p>Another thought: if you want corporate work, go to work in HR (human resources). Often, they need people who are good instructors.</p>
<p>There are jobs out there. It’s not an easy job market, but twist your experience into a positive and you’ll find something. At least you have a track record, unlike soon-to-be graduates.</p>
<p>Thanks–good information and encouragement</p>