aravain
Posts: 1211
Joined: 8/26/2008
Status: offline
|
I think you're hitting it too hard, Merc, but that's just me.
Any program that *doesn't* have you working under masters of the field is one that I'd be wary of attending. There's no point, then. I'd assume that any creative writing program will have him working under published and well-respected authors.
Speaking from my own experience: in education programs you *know* that your professors have taught real students, students from public schools. I haven't heard of a single program that doesn't require that the professors have at least a Master's (most of which require 3-5 years of experience to even start achieving), and an extra couple of years for good measure. That's how you raise your percentage of 'ok' teachers (and weed out those who would be bad) to 'good' teachers (or better). It also requires practicums (both student teaching, as well as other teaching episodes and teacher-created tests, as well as the licensure exams). It doesn't leave you with just a theoretical knowledge, but I haven't known *one* person who's graduated and felt completely prepared to take over a class room on their own (or, for music, a program on their own)! Fear is a natural reaction to a life changing event (such as a graduation, or a marraige, etc.). I bet you felt fear when you graduated high school before going off to college (I know I did, and I was more prepared than the average student where I went AND came from)!
I'm not IN the sciences, and I've only been to two colleges (one private, one public), but in both the students *DO* learn under 'masters' of the field. My previous university was a research-based university, and required ALL professors to have an active research topic (tenured or not), so all the professors are active within the major parts of their field, and well-published. I'm going to a less 'prestigious' college now, and, for the sciences, it's pretty much the same. It IS, essentially, learning from masters.
It may be different for community colleges, of course.
In general I'm for college education. I *do*, however, think that it's ridiculous how many people are (needlessly) going and getting degrees (especially those that have no application).
To the original poster:
What my one friend who's graduating with a Creative Writing degree is doing is applying to various graduate programs where publishing (with a national-read company) is PART of the process of getting your Master's Degree. I'd suggest doing this, if you can, and don't want to do anything but write.
Editting is another field that you can find work (especially if you have a general focus). One of my professors only taught because she liked to, but worked for a law firm editting their legal documents for spelling, grammar, and such... and she gets more than 100k a year (and has no legal expertise or certification)! She's self-employed by doing it, but I would suggest looking around for a company. I haven't checked out your profile to see where you're located, but if you can find a local publishing company (or a local office), look into what it takes to apply there for a non-writing, salary position. It may not be as glamorous as getting paid to write your great erotic novel, but it *will* pay the bills (of course, my friend's not willing to do this  silly girl, she's actually gotten offers).
There's actually a lot that you can do with a creative writing degree... if you're willing to not have the focus of your career *be* writing (or have it as a secondary focus). It's like the old adage 'What do you do with a B.A. in English?'... A LOT! It's extremely versatile.
If your college has a job-fair (especially one aimed at liberal arts majors) go! Dress up and bring a bunch of copies of your resume! The best thing you can do is network and schmooze a little.
I feel you on the fear, but working through it, and especially not letting it impede your progress, will lead you somewhere that you'll love going!
EDIT TO ADD: Alumni associations for your college will also be your biggest friend! Hang out around there, especially if you're looking for a job, and network with them, too! I have a few friends who now have good, livable jobs right after college thanks to it!
< Message edited by aravain -- 2/18/2009 11:13:20 PM >
|
RE: Graduating and Scared - 
Profile
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread