I have been reading the advice going back and forth about what to tell
students who inquire about graduate studies. I recently completed
my undergraduate studies at Loyola University Chicago and am currently
looking into graduate programs in Public History. I understand that many
professors do not want to paint a picture that gives the impression that
a job will be waiting for the student when they complete a Ph.D., but I
don't think that such a bleak picture is necessary. It is common knowledge
(especially among students) that when they come out of undergrad
there is NOT a job waiting for them. I graduated with a B.A. in History
and a B.B.A. in Marketing and I did not think that there would be
someone at the foot of the stage to give my a job as I received my diploma.
I pursued the two degrees because of an interest in both subjects (of course,
I hoped it would also give me an edge in the job market) and I will
pursue an M.A. (maybe even a Ph.D.) for the very same reason. Nothing
is for SURE anymore. We grew up knowing that! This is no longer the world
where people find a job and stay with that company (or even that same
field) for the rest of their life. There's so much to do and I don't
think that discouragement is what people need. When students ask,
definately let them know that the prospects are not great, but please do
not paint a picture so bleak that students will give up studying history.
It is painful enough to see people my age dread taking a core history class
because they don't see the point, please do not add to their number.
Joleen Domaracki
jdomara@orion.it.luc.edu