This is really helpful for all of US!!!

Anyway. I think Bill makes a good point that you simply aren't addressing in any substantive way. I graduated last year with a BA in Creative Writing and was luckily able to land a job in the Content department of a Florida publishing company. No, I'm not writing creatively at work. But, I am building upon editorial skills initially cultivated in my BA coursework.

Ultimately, I want to take this to a higher level than I think I could reach staying where I am. I'd love to edit for a local paper or magazine, or work as a teacher helping students improve their writing and their ability to analyze and glean meaning from written art.

The catch? Even the local paper and the county school systems don't want someone with only a BA. Never mind that I have teaching experience (albeit minimal) and PLENTY of writing and editing experience. I've promoted and marketed my ideas and skills until I've turned all kinds of colors. They want credentials, they want to see advanced education and training.

It could be a symptom of the local job market, sure. But maybe these employers want to see that people are willing to take the risk and make the investment in an advanced education. The Bachelor's is now the glorified high school diploma. Maybe employers want to know for sure they're getting as close to a prize stallion as they can, and not settling for any joe who graduates with his piece of paper.

I do agree with your running advice to take time after undergrad to gain some life experience. I did that (am currently), and I'm glad for it. I wanted out from under the academia bubble that you live in while in school, for a while.

But now I'm realizing that for my career plans, the education I have isn't enough. An MFA would allow me to focus on my craft, make networking connections, and if it's not a pure studio course, allow me to further develop my analytical abilities and qualify me (even more) to teach. The programs I'm looking at also have an editorial component, that is, an internship with magazines and other publications, in case my career goals shifted permanently in that direction.

I harbor no delusions of scoring a tenure track position without a lot of hard work and luck. But I'd certainly settle for adjunct professor, community college professor, or heck, high school teacher.

End rant. If you still get notifications on your two-year-old posts, I'm interested in any advice or rebuttals you have.

Kristin