Tomorrow I graduate with a Master of Arts in English. I have mixed feelings about it. I am glad to have it finished, but I am pessimistic about the value it holds for me professionally.
I have a Master of Arts in Teaching already, and now a Master of Arts in English. And no job.
Other than teaching, I'm not sure that anyone would look at a resume and see the value of a Master's degree in English for other jobs. It does show intelligence and commitment. I did the work required to achieve the degree. Of course, it took me eighteen years...
Am I more intelligent for getting the degree? No. In my case, definitely not. I completed most of the program except my thesis a long time ago. Whatever knowledge I gained from the program I have carried around for almost two decades without a sheepskin. I finally sat down about a year ago and decided to write my thesis and be done with it.
So what is the value of this degree? Maybe someone will see it and be impressed. But that's not a high level of value for me. I already have one Master's degree.
For me, the value of the degree is completely personal. I proved to myself that I could do it. I can look at that diploma, and I can see that I completed that thesis. I completed a major writing project and did it well enough that I was asked several times if I was going to shop it around to be published. Instead of just knowing that I can probably do it, I have proof that I did it. And that means a lot to me.
For me, the value of the degree is the confidence it provides. I have this. I did this. I can do more. Watch me.
Well said, my friend.
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