Thursday, June 17, 2010

What Master's Would Best Complement My BS?

I've decided lately that I love too many things, and some of these things that I love aren't necessarily helpful in the real world.

And, no, I'm not talking about Bluebell (for once). Bluebell is on the list of things that are just downright dangerous for me.

I'm talking about my hobbies and interests. Like...the vast collection of movie quotes that is sealed inside my brain. This is helpful in Scene It, perhaps, but not so useful in real-world application. I'm pretty sure employers don't regularly say, "Please list as many movie quotes as possible from memory." (They should start doing that.)

Even my music skills aren't very helpful in the real world. "Real world", in this case, means "money-paying world". On a scale from 1 to Helpful, I'll rate my music skills at a 3. (And, yes, I realize that rating system makes no sense.)

Hence, my present dilemma. I'm searching for Master's programs, and I keep getting attracted to programs that are COMPLETELY impractical, but I see them and my CrEaTiVe side says, "Hot diggity!" And then my timid, sensible side says, "BAD JULES! DOWN, GIRL!" So, Miss CrEaTiVe looks at another one and says, "Yes yes yes yes." And Miss KillJoy says, "Nuh uh."

*Heavy sigh*

Part of me would love to get something a little more on the practical side, seeing as how my undergrad degree is in music, but I'm not really qualified for anything...seeing as how my undergrad degree is in music. See the problem? And I really detest the idea of getting a master's in education. Seriously. My nose crinkles up at the very thought of such a horrific experience.

Any grad school oficionados have advice for me? I don't even know where to get started. I guess I should take that darn GRE, but most of the programs in the musical field don't require GREs. (By the way, I think they should change the acronym so it spells ERG instead. I think that would be more fitting for such a test:
Person 1: "I've gotta take the ERG. ERG!"
Person 2: "I heard you the first time. You didn't have to repeat yourself."
Person 1: "The second time I said it I was using it as a curse word."
Person 2: "Ah.")

HELP!

Are any of you still reading this? Anyone?

*Crickets Chirp*

13 comments:

Mel said...

How about a Master's in Nurse Anesthesia? I hear THAT degree is quite close to "HELPFUL" on the 1-helpful scale.

The Boulter Bunch said...

Define "Helpful"......I think you should "follow your dreams"! But that's coming from someone who has a Music Ed degree & now works as a Registrar/Secretary! Oh, and who also happens to be your mom & thinks you are MEGA-TALENTED! Luv ya!

The Boulter Bunch said...

Define "Helpful"......I think you should "follow your dreams"! But that's coming from someone who has a Music Ed degree & now works as a Registrar/Secretary! Oh, and who also happens to be your mom & thinks you are MEGA-TALENTED! Luv ya!

The Boulter Bunch said...

Yeah, I meant to hit the button twice to emphasize my comment.......

Mel said...

P.S. STAY AWAY FROM EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!!

If you don't LOVE it, anyway, a Master's in it will only make you love it less and be stuck with it more.

Mel said...

I meant a Master's in Education--not "education" itself, as in acquiring more of it.

JennVan said...

If you could do anything in the world without regard to money or education, what would you do? Then go and do that. I guarantee that whatever you are most passionate about will translate into money in some way to support yourself. So if art things really speak to you then do it. But don't get caught up in the notion that you have to have a master's degree to do anything. Some things you can do with just some education or training. If art/creative things make you excited, there are ways to do it in a way that make money. Like if you like to draw, you can be a graphic designer or do animations. Graphics people are really in demand now days with the technology booming. Talk to people in the field you would want to get into and see how they got there. You might just be surprised.

Fenwick said...

I kind of wish someone would have sat me down when I decided to choose Music for a degree to clarify that it was maybe not the best choice of a major. "... you do realize that you won't be able to find a successful job and that you'll be poorer than dirt (now that's poor!) and that you'll never be loved by anyone but your fellow music losers and you'll probably get gray hair early, if you have any left by the time you're 30, and you'll always lose at Scrabble -- all this will happen if you choose to be a music major. Are you sure that's what you want?" Maybe then I would have chosen instead my number two choice: Sociopathy. Then I could get whatever I wanted and win at Scrabble too.

Jarom said...

Well, instead of choosing something you like, choose something you don't hate?

Scott and Jillian said...

Hmmm....I'm not sure what Master's would be best compliment *your* BS, Jules. I LOLed out loud when I read that title. I don't know about you, but I'm sure some people think I'm full of BS. ;)

Jules said...

Thanks for the help, everyone.

Fenwick, it sounds like you feel my pain.

Drake said...

I got a double major in European Studies and French so I found myself in the same situation as you...

Degrees in the humanities tend to come with the unspoken understanding that you'll go back for grad school. Right now, I'm getting my Master's in French...then I'll get a phD in French...and finally I'll become a professor and teach a new generation of students all about this interesting stuff that won't help them in the money making world.

And then they'll grow up to be professors and the circle of life continues..

Jeff said...

Go to law school? With me?! Yes. That's the solution.

(Yes, I couldn't sleep and I'm reading your blog at 3:30 am. I probably woke family up with my laughter. K, bye.)

 

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