I’ve been an arts student for six years. And I decided about eighteen months ago that I’ve spent too much time trying to understand Foucault (still no progress), and that I should start thinking about post-school, i.e. how to making a living.
As to how an arts grad can make a living, the rest of the world is as baffled as we are. Example: I was riding home on the train from school last spring. I was reading in the lounge car, sitting opposite two men having a cup of coffee.
Man #1 (to me): Are you a student?
Me: Yes.
Man #2: What program are you in?
Me: I’m a grad student in Art History.
Man #1 (to me, smiling and nodding): That’s sounds interesting. (then leans over to his friend and whispers) Art History? What can you do with THAT?
Not a whole lot, except pretend that I know how to authenticate paintings. Or maybe keep going to school until I croak.
Given that the prospect of more school is somewhat unappealing (understatement), I’ve decided to pursue to only other career option that an MA prepares me for:
Opening a bookstore.
Hahahaha! That’s awesome!
You’re living proof that an Art History grad CAN make a living…despite the fact that this living has absolutely NOTHING to do with art history. Unless you’re going to have a sizeable collection of art history books and related texts in your store… An impressive living, indeed!!!
I’m going to be a book billionaire.
Just came across your blog, Sarah! amusing reads
lol, totally sympathize with your grad school pain (too strong a word? ‘disenchantment’ better? meh)! Love that you’re honest with yourself (and the rest of the world, through this blog
) about it, at least… lot of people I know starting up the Ivory Tower seem to be very self-unaware.
And oh man, I’ve had similar random conversations to said ones when I tell people I’m going to grad school in Life Sciences after having done an engineering undergrad (e.g.):
Other: What do you do?
Me: I’m a student. Graduate student, actually. (as if this makes me sound more interesting to talk to??!)
Other (badly feigning interest): Really, in what?
Me: I’m doing Life Sciences.
Other: Was that what you did your undergrad in?
Me: No, I was in engineering. Toronto, to be exact.
Other (long puzzled look, punctuated by multiple furrowed eyebrows in a vain attempt to understand): …
***long, uncomfortable silence, then suddenly***… What the F***??? You went to grad school when you could be in Alberta or something, making all of that oil and gas money?? Why’d you do THAT??
Money is overrated though, I think; I mean, there’s always a job or some way somewhere to take to make enough money to live, even if it’s not directly related to a person’s university degree. I always hated that stigma some people I’ve met attach to not “using” your degree, not following a direct bee-line in life.
Whoa, just realized, sorry to get all philosophical at the end there Sarah
. Probably should have opened my own blog to post stuff like that, my bad… Back to boring, prosaic…
Kudos again for the entrepreneurial skills and balls in bookstoresmanship! Go get your millions! That old Shad Valley stuff really paid off (so if people discuss it again, I guess you can tell people you DID use some of your education for SOMETHING
)…
P.S. Probably won’t be in Saint John to buy anything from you any time soon, but if you ever get a web interface up, I promise to have a good browse at your inventory… who knows, might even lead to a sale