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Monday Methods: Why You Should Not Get a History PhD (And How to Apply for One Anyway) : AskHistorians

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2021-06-21 16:30:09

Our flaired users have detailed knowledge of their historical specialty and a proven record of excellent contributions to /r/AskHistorians.

Methods Monday Methods: Why You Should Not Get a History PhD (And How to Apply for One Anyway)Monday Methods: Why You Should Not Get a History PhD (And How to Apply for One Anyway) (self.AskHistorians)

I am a PhD student in medieval history in the U.S. My remarks concern History PhD programs in the U.S. If you think this is hypocritical, so be it.

The humanities PhD is still a vocational degree to prepare students for a career teaching in academia, and there are no jobs. Do not get a PhD in history.

Look, I get it. Of all the people on AskHistorians, I get it. You don't "love history;" you love history with everything in your soul and you read history books outside your subfield for fun and you spend 90% of your free time trying to get other people to love history as much as you do, or even a quarter as much, or even just think about it for a few minutes and your day is made. I get it.

You have a professor who's told you you're perfect to teach college. You have a professor who has assured you you're the exception and will succeed. You have a friend who just got their PhD and has a tenure track job at UCLA. You don't need an R1 school; you just want to teach so you'd be fine with a small, 4-year liberal arts college position.

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