Any recent college graduates registering SHOCK?

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 6/19/05 at 1:40am

A week ago Friday, I was finishing the sixth of six final papers for my Gender Studies courses at Northwestern. And today I have a Bachelor of Science (which really should be a Bachelor of Arts) from the School of Communication, summa cum laude. Wow. It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was complaining about how much I despise the university. Actually, it was only a few days ago that I was complaining. Yet graduation has even me a little mysty-eyed about great relationships formed at NU, although I probably spent more time on Broadway message boards than I did hanging out with friends. I wonder if I'll grow bitter again as time passes?

The School of Communication commencement was pretty damn fascinating for me. I got to walk across the stage with summa cum laude and several other honors announced along with my name, and applauding in the audience was Meryl Streep (her daughter was in my class). Applauding on the stage was a certain guest speaker from the film Ray and, uh, several other major productions. Wow. I'm now an alumni of the film/theater/performance studies school with the potential to come back as a guest speaker just as other alumni (esp. David Schwimmer) did while I was an undergrad.

Next step: Actually parlaying this degree into a short-term job before I can pursue my dream career. For many employers, graduating with an "entertainment industry" degree negates whatever honors we obtained or the prestige of the university itself. So cheers to any fellow NU '05 graduates who are 'hanging out' in Evanston this summer while trying to get even the temp agencies to show you some respect! Anyone else here coming to Northwestern or there now?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 6/19/05 at 12:23pm

Any recent college graduates registering SHOCK?

YES

I'm actually in a similar situation as you, EvelynNesbit. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science, but it really should be a B. Arts (I did a double major in Computer Science and English, but I took many more English and humanities courses than CompSci classes).

I graduated from the University of Toronto about a week ago at a beautiful ceremony that ended a truly memorable four years. I made the most of my undergraduate career: getting involved with student government, starting my own club, and doing a thousand other things. Yet luckily, I still did well enough in my studies to graduate "with high distinction" (U of T's magna cum laude), which means that grad school is within my reach. I'm taking the year off, though, to think about what I really want.

Which is the scary part. It's hard to do anything with something as general as a B.A/B.Sci -- it's like the new high school degree. What DO you do with a B.A. in English? And with my student debt, I'm starting to think I should persue something more practical than an M.A. Life out here is scary, and it's sad that the fun carelessness of university life is over.

Updated On: 6/19/05 at 12:23 PM

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/19/05 at 12:30pm

i just graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a degree in childhood education and a middle school extension. that opens me to a lot, but definitely not in this area cuz it's IMPOSSIBLE to find a job here. i know the best thing for me to do is to relocate, which i plan on if i can. however, i'm scared about being able to live and pay off loans because hey, teachers don't make the best salaries. and hey, we all have those other dreams we wish we can follow. so am i in shock, yes, cuz there's so much i have to figure out right now. we're finally beginning our lives in the real world.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 1:39am

I'm going to try for a Masters in Cinema Studies atTisch so that I can teach film history/theory in addition to writing my own books and working as an editor (and I say "try" because NYU has always chosen to reject my applications; the fact that schools intent on diversification don't want an African-American male who graduated summa cum laude from Northwestern continues to bewilder me). I'll probably also pursue a degree in arts administration for long-term career interest...

What do you do with a BA in English? Well, you'll find more English BAs who can answer that from experience than you will people who studied (rather than created) film and theater in college like me!

zepka, I don't see why your degree wouldn't be useful everywhere. Are there no middle schools where you live?

[cturtle]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 7:14am

hey, zep, why is it so hard to find a teaching job where you live? come to atlanta ... you won't have ANY problem (but who would want to move down here, right?)

[Millie42]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 9:49am

"hey, zep, why is it so hard to find a teaching job where you live? come to atlanta ... you won't have ANY problem (but who would want to move down here, right?) "

The same goes for NC. Some programs are offering paid undergrad tuition and a masters in teaching in one year in exchange for teaching in-state for 4 years. I think the south, in general, has a teacher shortage!
So, Zep, if you can handle the heat, come on down!

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 10:15am

it's so tough cuz there arent's any openings here... LOTS of people go into education here and stay in the area, so not everyone can get a job. i think there was a short period a few years ago when lots of people were retiring, but that disappeared quickly. i'd be guarenteed to find a job if i moved elsewhere. i'm watching friends move and they get jobs so easily... its just difficult here because there isn't a lot available and too many people applying for 1 position.

[cturtle]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 10:27am

but with YOUR talent, zep, you should be able to beat the competition! hang in there ...

[zepka102]

Posted: 6/21/05 at 10:28am

haha thanks... trust me, i am TERRIBLE at interviews... i don't know how i'll survive in front of a panel of 10-20 administers and teachers... if i decided to stay here atleast!