Will I have options in the future

LegacyUser

Hey all,

Was slightly insired by the "finding yourself" thread and am here to talk about my remotely similar story.

I am also in a state where I find myself looking for the "perfect path" in life, I have something of a plan worked out but not entirely sure if it will get me where I want.

I do think along the way, of having a good job, with good pay, so that any future girlfriends will be impressed with my desire for success, and so can get a car (not necessarily a very fancy one, and do the other things I enjoy in life, going to concerts, going away etc.

I am doing an English degree, and what I would love to do is maybe a journalism postgrad, travel after that to somewhere there's good jobs in the field. I want to become a lecturer, but I'm thinking of going down a journalism route first as I don't want a "career job" straight out of college, as I too want to travel, experience new things, meet new people etc.

I know its frowned upon, and you get the usual snobbery that there's few jobs for English grads, but I really enjoy English, am interested in it, and get generally better grades than most in my year, thats why I'd like to doa journalism postgrad, especially as in places like DCU and DIT they give you some practical training as well as academic.

So I'm wondering should I be thinking this far ahead, should I not put myself under so much pressure, although I love my course there are times when I feel I too should have went for a "real degree" but I'm no science/engineering wiz and I didn't want to push myself to do something that I know is not for me.

Same time I do want the best in life, I've never had a proper girlfriend, my social skills have only started to develop in the last few months, and I do want to get a good job that could allow me to have a great social life, support a family etc.

iusedtoknow

I was in the same boat as you - graduated in 2006 with English/History degree

6 years later i find myself living in Spain married to a Spanish woman, working in IT and about to move to the states with the job.

I panicked in 2005 and nearly dropped out to start a "proper degree", but now on retrospect, things all panned out. Yes, i graduated at an ok Time in the job market, but still - it all worked out very differently to how I imagined it.

The only advise I can give you is not to worry too much about it, enjoy your degree and try to develop more as a person. Post graduate training is always possible and who knows where you'll be 5 years after your degree - sometimes the fun in life is not knowing.

Roisy7

Hey OP,

I did English as part of arts, and did a journalism post grad. Atm I'm on placement in a local paper.

Like you I always loved English and writing, and I never wanted to go the academic route (too much BS in it imo )

I will advise you tho that if you don't have a passion for journalism-and some people who love English/writing don't- it will be incredibly hard for you to do the postgrad. It's a tough path to follow in a lot of ways. You will have to start from the bottom and a lot of that is rewriting press-releases, hanging around and phoning people. Deadlines as well are key so if you don't work well under pressure, you're kind of screwed.

BUT! Don't let that put you off, it seems from your post that you think of it as an easy option perhaps? (apologies if that is unfair)

You don't say how far you are in college, so I will advise you to use college as a way of getting more insight into how journalism works. I'm sure your college has a paper or even a radio station? Is there a Journalism Society/Writer's Society? Outside of college there are lots of websites that look for student writers, there are some good Facebook groups you can join which put you in touch with other student journalists. Why not check your college's forum here on Boards?

It will be a good way for you to get a taste of journalism before you take the plunge in deciding to do it as a career.

Yes you should really relax and enjoy college, but there is no harm in planning ahead. College is the perfect opportunity to try out new things!

Best of luck OP

(PS I really hate to say this OP, but journalism is not the type of career where you will have a car and steady income by your mid-20s )

LegacyUser

OP here to answer a few questions, thanks for all the advice.

I am in Maynooth, which I have heard has the best arts course in the country? Thanks Roisy, I do love writing, but I don't want to do journalism because I see it as an easy route, its more because I have a passion for writing and doing research.

I finished first year of my undergrad, so have two years left (three if I go on erasmus, which I am not 100% whether or not I should do). I'm hoping to write for the college newspaper next year and maybe the literary society.

Part of me thinks I should do Erasmus, but seen as how I've only become confident in my social skills in recent times, and have only now developed a steady relationship with friends thats like nothing I had when I was younger, I'm not 100% sure. Reason is because the group of us are thinking of doing the J1 next year, and I may be the only one with the money to do Erasmus and J1. I wouldn't want to miss out on being with them in 3rd year / all we could do as a group on the J1 etc.

I'll check the Maynooth forum here, any recommendations for sites looking for student writers in particular?

Thanks for pointing out with journalism I may not have a steady job / car by my mid-20s, that is certainly good to know.

purplepapillon

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

I am also in a state where I find myself looking for the "perfect path" in life, I have something of a plan worked out but not entirely sure if it will get me where I want.

So I'm wondering should I be thinking this far ahead, should I not put myself under so much pressure, although I love my course there are times when I feel I too should have went for a "real degree" but I'm no science/engineering wiz and I didn't want to push myself to do something that I know is not for me.

The "perfect path" doesn't exist Your path is just that, your own, so follow your instincts. I too am an English grad and many times was slagged for my "artsy fartsy" course:rolleyes: but remember, you're studying something you are passionate about and enjoy. This is fulfilling. It may be that the IT/Science/Engineering crowds will be on a so-called "career path" before you, with salaried positions etc. but you will be there in the end. I felt the pressure of friends deciding on MAs, traineeships, doctorates and thought I had better hurry up deciding where my life was headed so to speak, but then realised my path is a different pace from others'.

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

Part of me thinks I should do Erasmus, but seen as how I've only become confident in my social skills in recent times, and have only now developed a steady relationship with friends thats like nothing I had when I was younger, I'm not 100% sure. Reason is because the group of us are thinking of doing the J1 next year, and I may be the only one with the money to do Erasmus and J1. I wouldn't want to miss out on being with them in 3rd year / all we could do as a group on the J1 etc.

It seems to always crop up on boards. I was worried about missing out on the year with my group in college, but I returned for final year and, while I recognised few faces in my new class, I made friends all the same. My Erasmus year was one of the best of my life. I learned so much about myself, other people, other cultures, and well, everything. I made lifelong friends there as well as improving social skills, confidence and self-esteem. If you're interested in journalism, you could start a blog of your Erasmus year. "My travels in..." There are many good ones online.

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

Thanks for pointing out with journalism I may not have a steady job / car by my mid-20s, that is certainly good to know.

Not many people will have that these days. I came back from my Erasmus year €6 in overdraft. I'd sooner be broke and have had great experiences than have a car, expensive phone or fancy TV!

Best of luck with everything OP!

Roisy7

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

Thanks Roisy, I do love writing, but I don't want to do journalism because I see it as an easy route, its more because I have a passion for writing and doing research.

In that case you will love journalism

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

Part of me thinks I should do Erasmus, but seen as how I've only become confident in my social skills in recent times, and have only now developed a steady relationship with friends thats like nothing I had when I was younger, I'm not 100% sure. Reason is because the group of us are thinking of doing the J1 next year, and I may be the only one with the money to do Erasmus and J1. I wouldn't want to miss out on being with them in 3rd year / all we could do as a group on the J1 etc.

I did Erasmus, but I didn't have a choice Don't worry about making friends, if they're good mates you won't lose them, people are constantly moving and circumstances change quickly in college. Erasmus is a brilliant experience and I recommend you do it, because it really gives you a great experience and education on things. If you can afford to do that and the J1 go for it You only end up regretting the things you don't do imo.

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

I'll check the Maynooth forum here, any recommendations for sites looking for student writers in particular?

Oh tons, dunno if the mods would like me posting them here though. There's the Daily Shift, which I'm involved in, The Blend.ie, Student News, if you're into music and films there's more in that field. You could set up your own blog on wordpress, it can get you quite a bit of notice

arts_student_looking_for_himself wrote: »

Thanks for pointing out with journalism I may not have a steady job / car by my mid-20s, that is certainly good to know.

'Fraid so, it's not a steady career at all these days. There will be quite a lot of working for free, you know it's bad when you're surprised at someone offering to pay for you

Again best of luck OP, I wish you the very best