Grad School

As some people have probably heard or figured out, I'm starting to think about going to graduate school. What for, you may ask, seeing as I will graduate as a double major, both of which I completely love. Well, after much deliberation and thought, I've decided if I do go to graduate school, I'll be off to get a masters in theology. There are a few reasons for this choice: first, there are a few more jobs in theology than philosophy, at least more clear-cut jobs. I know, kindof a surprise to me too. Not that I thought either of them had huge career paths apart from teaching (and youth ministry for theology majors, or being a priest which I'm not eligible for), which I know I don't want to do. That's not the biggest reason. Second, I only need to get a doctorate if I'm going to be teaching, or at least there are more options for people with a masters in theology rather than the Ph.D. If I did philosophy, I'd pretty much immediately need my doctorate. Thirdly, I know I don't want to teach, and if I went into philosophy, I'd feel like that's what I'd end up doing. And I really don't want to. Apart from the lack of desire, or rather the strong desire not to, I'd be a really bad teacher. We're talking bad. I've always wondered how teachers, especially college professors, can be so unbiased and patient. I know, probably not all of them are. But all of mine are. At least it seems like it. I'd probably get so frustrated and just tell people to shut up I know what I'm talking about and they don't. Or that their questions are stupid. I practically want to tell people that half the time anyway, and if I became a teacher I don't know if I'd be able to stop myself. That's ok, teaching isn't really a viable option for me because I have no desire to do it. So, the final and probably most important reason I would go on in theology is that between my theology class and my senior honors project (which, if you forget, is largely theologically based) I really feel like I'm doing real theology, that I'm learning a ton, and it's why I became a theology major in the first place. I've had some bad experiences in the theology program that made me extra glad I was a philosophy major as well (not that I wasn't always glad about that), and that made me almost regret doing theology, but now I'm doing what I wanted to do in the first place. It's really reminded me how much I love theology. Plus, it's narrowed down my focus a little bit too. Eventually I'd love to get doctorates in both theology and philosophy, but right now I think I'll realistically start with a master's in theology. Maybe. If I start with any of them at all.



Now, this seems like I'm completely committed to the idea of going to graduate school after I graduate, which, by the way, is this spring. Yikes. Don't get me started on that. However, I'm not entirely sure I want to go to graduate school right away. I'm not even sure how prepared I am. Heck, I haven't even taken the GRE yet. On the plus side, there's not a theology portion that I would have to take, just the general stuff. Part of me is afraid though, that if I don't go right away I won't go at all, or it will be years before I have a chance to get my masters. And I would love to have it sooner rather than later. But another 3 years in school? I love learning, and as much as I wish I could stay in school for the rest of my life (and believe me I do) I don't know if we can afford it. It's so expensive. On the plus side, as my advisor told me (actually, my philosophy advisor, not theology advisor, ironically) there are some pretty interesting job opportunities in the dioceses for people with their master's in theology. It is a big relief to know that I won't need a doctorate, that a master's will be perfect, for a couple of reasons. One, wow, ton of work. Not that I couldn't do it, and not that I don't want to do it eventually, but I don't know if I could do it now. Or if I want to do it now. Or if it will do me that much good now. Two, there aren't really any doctorate programs in theology in MN, so I'd probably end up in somewhere like Chicago. Not that it wouldn't be super exciting, but I love Minnesota, and Eric will be looking for a job next year, so I don't know if now would be a good time to move, especially out of state. Plus I want to stay close to the family.



So I'm sortof torn. Go to graduate school right away and hope for a job afterwards? Get a job right away and go to grad school later? Get a job now and go to grad school now? (By now I mean right after I graduate) It's a tough decision but I'm going to have to make it soon. For those of you who are wondering, most likely I'd apply to St. Thomas, possibly St. John's. Those have the best areas of study that I'm interested in. Sorry Matt, St. Thomas would be my first choice, due in large part to the fact that it's in the city, I'm in the city, and I don't know if Eric and I really want to move that far away. Plus I'm sortof used to it now. And I love the city. I don't think I could handle the small-townness of St. John's. We'll see what happens though, if I do decide to go to graduate school. Thoughts, advice, whatever, is always welcome.

Catch, you are the best friend a guy with twenty diagnosed neuroses ever had.