| Topic Name: |
From govt. to academia? |
| Message Name: |
Transition? No problem. / Pay? Well... |
| Date Posted: |
03/30/2008 |
| In Reply To: |
I'm seriously thinking about starting a full-time history Ph.D. in fall 2008. I am 33 years old, married, no kids (but trying) with minimal debt. I currently have a good job with the federal govt., but have always wanted to be a history professor. My wife is 37 and will have to basically support us while I am in school for the next 5 years. I am really worried about leaving the work force and having half an income for most of my 30's. Any advice out there?? |
| Message: |
Next to the monestary or the priesthood, academe (at least as a grad student) is the closest thing to an oath of poverty. I think you understand that going in, so I'll address your other points.
The transition shouldn't be a problem. The hardest thing about going from industry or government to academe is getting used to the freedom (going the other direction is a different story).
You say you want to be a history professor. Do you want to teach Colonial American history to undergrads? If so, you might have some flexibility as far as locations. If you want to do specialized research with minimal teaching requirements, you'll probably be limited to places where such research is being conducted and such positions could be highly competitive.
You may never be a professor. Most Ph.D.s that I've met either can't get a tenured position or get sick of spending their days seeking funding rather than doing research and end up working at market research firms, law firms, or financial institutions (the skills one acquires during his Ph.D. studies tend to transfer well to several other fields).
I think that the only good reason to do get a Ph.D. is because you're really passionate about learning something. Let the rest take care of itself.
Hope that helps.
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