Lit Apropos of Nothing - ACKBAR IN CAPITALS - The Lit Forum Social Thread, v2.0.15

I know a few history majors who went on to do random stuff... mostly government and international relations, if that interests you.

Nothing wrong with grad school though if you can swing it, especially if you're not burnt out from your undergrad years. It's really unfortunate, but in today's economy continuing to grad school is often the only way to survive if you want to pursue the career whatever field interests you. It's the best way to keep up with the research in the disipline, make contacts, and land on unexpected career opportunities.

A lot of people suggest taking a year or few off after undergrad to "gain experience," but honestly -- you're going to get experience nomatter what you do. If you really love what you're doing in undergrad (especially research-type fields like history), I'd say try a year or two in grad school to at least get an MA or MS. That gives you time to really get involved in the action of whatever field you're in. (Plus -- it's easier to get grants and fellow/assistanceships when you're younger. If you wait a few years and get a job in the meantime, even a crappy one, grad programs are less willing to dole out the cash.)


Edit: Sorry Zeta, didn't see your post -- did the US start a war again?

 

He's reacting to, like, half a page ago.

While we've got all you postgrads around, something I've never gotten a clear answer on: what exactly are the boundaries of which postgrad degrees one is eligible for?

I have a BS in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics, and while I've been a very active videographer since graduation, it was technically a commercial art degree and I've almost entirely been working in performance-based small arts areas. Is it possible to go from a BS to an MFA, or would I have to go back and take a certain amount of Fine Arts-specific undergrad classes--or even start over from scratch? I've even heard that certain postgrad curriculums would allow me to apply my seven years of real-world experience as actual credit and reduce the amount of further schooling I'd need.

And for that matter, what about different areas altogether? What if I wanted a MS, but in Economics? Poli-Sci?

 

I was very tempted to pursue a history major due to my love of history, before I settled on a Bachelor's of Science in Computer Information Systems from DeVry University, which I should hopefully finish this summer.

No, but such discussion always brings to mind the US doing stupid things like the Iran-Contra Affair and supporting Saddam Hussein against Iran.

 

Barriss_Coffee I actually have considered a career with the State Department, although I have absolutely no idea what I would actually do there. I still need to start applying to grad schools, and possibly pick up a language or two along the way- I've been told that some Ancient History programs require some knowledge of Ancient Greek, of which I have absolutely no knowledge. And if I do that, I'm going to go all the way to Doctorate.

Oh, and funding will probably be a big issue, since I'm having enough issues with that at the undergrad level (and WVU is comparatively cheap).

In other news, with my Archaeology 450 exam complete and my Latin translation turned in, my spring break can now begin!

 

So who else, after seeing the latest Star Trek trailer, thought: "Man, I'm so glad this is the guy doing Episode VII" ?

 

You were being sarcastic right?

 

Not at all. I thought the trailer was awesome, and if it's representative of the movie itself, and that awesome carries over to VII, I'll be happy.

 

I was planning to go camping, but with next week's weather forecast, that's looking a lot less likely.

 

This might sound counter-intuitive, but a lot of programs these days are increasingly selecting individuals with diverse background rather than a sole focus on one major. This means program committees aren't going to point and smirk when someone with a BA or BS in Degree X tries to apply to a program for advanced Degree Y. Granted, there are exceptions, and you've got to have some sort of experience on your CV or resume that shows you already have an interest in whatever the postgrad degree happens to be (so coming straight out of undergrad and trying for a completely different higher degree right away might not fly). In your circumstance you shouldn't have much of a problem going for a MFA from a BS -- but of course, it always depends on the individual program. I would imagine the larger programs wouldn't mind. It's those smaller super-specialized colleges you might have trouble with.

Can't speak about reducing credit, but I've heard it done. It's weird what strings you can pull once you're in a program.

 

So is it even all that unusual, then? Did you have to justify it when you applied for the library science program, or did they not give you so much as a cocked eyebrow about it?

 

Re. University and courses: I got into the University of Melbourne to study International Studies and Japanese, and hopefully I'll work for the Depart. of Foreign Affairs one day. It's a long shot, but wtf, I figure I might as well follow my passions. I wonder if its admission is as difficult as the US' State Dept., though.

 

I don't, I like having money!

Though that is one of the things that irks greatly, that at interviews for jobs, doing it for the money is deemed insufficient motivation - HR rubbish at its finest.

You both need to ensure you get good* government jobs! (* the definition can vary greatly as to what this constitutes)

Me? Ultimately working for this pair for just over a decade in business support hasn't been dull!




However, there is a major difference in political culture and operations I think between the UK and US in this respect - despite UK politicians best efforts to become more American-style. That difference? Non-political staff that execute the politician's aims.

The US system is more politician gets elected, brings their own people in, gets booted out, those people go. But, unlike the UK, there tends to be a built in transitional period to enable such changes with minimal impact on activity. If the same was done in the UK it'd be anarchy, as there'd be no transition and everyone wanting to re-invent the wheel.

 

http://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Total_War:_Rome_II_-_Egyptian_Faction

So Egypt has been confirmed for Rome II. As if that wasn't already a given. Hopefully the rest of the Diadochi will be unlockable.

 

Still waiting for both Empire II (they could easily add the orient as another playable area) and for my package to arrive from the UK.

 

Believe me, I could be making more money doing academia/research.

Yeah, that bothered me a lot growing up, especially having a very business-oriented dad. Eventually, I just accepted the nonsense you have to go through as a form of ritualism.

 

Well, if that's so and you have the skills and the interest B, quite seriously, what's stopping you? Guess academia pays better in the US, it certainly doesn't in the UK, at least not for humanities. Science is a different matter but PhD tends to be the entry qualification.

As to salary, I do think it is what will attract people to a job - but it can't be your only motivation to really do well in a job, professional satisfaction and pride is every bit as important, but that comes from doing a job and building a reputation for doing it well.

 

Did, you dilettante--you're having your hair did.