Hi everyone, I hope I’m not bothering anyone on this subreddit, but I just recently realized what I want to do in life (am 24 with very little college experience) and I enrolled in a nearby university (uwm) and I have a few questions, mostly because my husband keeps telling me I’m just trying to discourage myself (which I apparently do all the time) So sparing most of the details of my life’s story I’ll get to the point. I’m starting with a bachelor’s in English with a minor in Japanese. (I’m a weeb and just really want to learn Japanese ignore that it’s pointless) I’m fascinated by anything prior to roughly 18th(ish) century Europe. And I know that I have to know multiple languages to obtain a doctorate, so first question;what languages would be the most useful? My next question is, when it comes to a doctorate in history (I really know very little about all of this and have a meeting with my advisor in the morning) do you have to pick a specialization? If so how would what I said earlier (prior to 17th century Europe) be specialized? I mean like Arthurian periods all the way to the colonization of the new world kind of things. And my last question like I said before I know tenured positions are very few and far between so if I were to want to do research on my own where would I even begin?
Okay, thank you for taking the time to read all of that. Just know that I know all of this is very far off and I have a lot of work to do. And please ignore the fact that my grammar and punctuation is atrocious I type the way I talk most of the time. I really am just trying to convince myself that I’m making the right decision. My husband is super supportive and wants me to chase my dreams. So I’m chasin’ Thanks again!
I’d be happy to help if you have any questions
I am an M.Ed student in Higher Education affairs. There are several pieces of information needed to provide a more accurate answer. First, does your prospective phd program require a graduate degree? Does it require any undergraduate research? What are the GRE cutoff scores?
Are there any prospective professors you'd like to work with and have you reached out to them? Also, what about funding? What options available for you to utilize (assistantships, etc)? Can you link that specific program so others can look at it? I don't work in academia / history but I've seen this question in various forms at r/askacademia .. if you pose that question or search for people inquiring about PhDs in the humanities you'll get many pointed answers.
As for the two additional language requirements: is that a specific requirement of your program? I reached out to history phd program at my local state university and it has a dual language requirement that can be satisfied by:
a) 4 semesters of undergraduate classes in the needed language posted to transcripts (101, 102, 201, 202)
b) Demonstrating proficiency in the needed language on a written test.
The language is picked between you and your advisor and it must coincide with your narrow focus within your humanities pursuits (e.g. French for studies that align with that region of the world).
I don't know if that answers any of your questions. I'd be more concerned about the logistics of said program and graduate work in general than the existential question of whether or not it's for you. That's far too subjective for anyone to know but if you have a passion for history than certainly explore the options around you! Also, have you considered an M.A in history? Your phd of choice may require one but 18 graduate credits in history or whatever field typically allows you to teach / adjunct at a community college level.
You did actually help a lot. Unfortunately I barely have any idea what I’m doing right now, I’m only just starting work towards a bachelors. I believe my school does require a graduates degree before a PhD but I’m not sure. I’m shite at this and really just wanted to make sure I wasn’t just being stupid and trying to force myself out of it.