How To Be Hated In Academia

[wolven7]

Where would one search for research assistantships which do not REQUIRE one to be in the process of obtaining a PhD? You see, I currently have one relevant letter of recommendation, due to the cruel viscissitudes of fate. To move forward in a way which doesn't leave me feeling as if I'm starting in a worse position than I was after undergrad and before my MA (then, at least, I had a plan), I need to think of workarounds.

See, I need experience and people who will be willing to vouch for me, in a written recommendation without having to go back for a second MA, to do it. Why not just go for the second MA, you ask? Well first of all, in what, and, more pertinently, with what recommendations? Eh?

And so I need a job which will provide the basis for at least one more letter, the field experience to shore up my CV, and a paycheck. The question is, again, where might I find such a chimeric beast?

dindrane has suggested "Independent scholar" postings, and anything geared towards people still in the process of working on an MA, both of which are fantastic suggestions.

Do you have any others?

Comments

[rain-herself.livejournal.com]

Write the faculty at nearby universities and inquire, maybe.

[wolven.livejournal.com]

That's a pretty good idea. Thank you! :)

[kitsuchan.livejournal.com]

1. See about offering a course at community college. The teaching experience will look good on your application, and you might be able to make some connections (and money).

2. It's okay to have a rec from undergrad even after you have an MA. And it can be from a professor (or even a TA) who you only had one class with. Two of my three for my MA applications were from people I only had one class with, and one didn't even have her dissertation complete until almost a year after the class I took.

3. Start a research paper/project in the area you're interested in. Write to people (potential advisors) not about applying, but for advice on the project, after you've started it. Again, that will help you make connections, and give you a writing sample to use in applications. Improving your MA thesis might be a good starting place.

4. See about auditing classes in the area. If you can talk your way into a class that looks interesting, and have good attendance and participation, it's a good way to get to know professors. And they may be able to advise you on your independent project, and eventually be in a place where they are qualified to write a rec for you.

Are you really sure about grad school? I ask because a Ph.D. program requires a lot of being ingratiating and having your ideas completely shot down, and just having to talk away from them (at least until you have tenure). And a lot of just sitting there being given a long list of criticisms and edits, and having to incorporate most of them (and hoping your advisor doesn't notice that you didn't incorporate the others). Even if you are willing and able to bide your time and make all the necessary concessions, the job market right now is really, really bad for the humanities and softer social sciences. I do China stuff, which is one of the better fields to be in right now, but it's still pretty bleak. I think you'd make a good professor, but grad school is only worth going to if you think it's worthwhile even if you can't find a job in your field.

All that said, if you have a good backup plan (mine is to go work for the government if I can't find a job), and you won't be absolutely miserable for the 5-8 years of the program, then go for it!

[wolven.livejournal.com]

Thank you for those suggestions. I really appreciate them.

As to the others, any PhD I obtain is a means to an end, and so everything I craft from this point on is going to be helped by it. I can work on a thing for that long as long as it's in the service of a greater goal.