STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

kenzie · Chanel

Grad School Revisited

honey · Gucci

this is the tricky thing about grad school (at least for me) on the one hand you want to study something you're interested in since you're paying for it, but at the same time you kind of want something versatile. here's my two cents short answer -- go for an mfa in graphic design, long answer -- see below (do with it what you will)

when deciding to go to grad school i looked at what i wanted to do ultimately (own a retail conglomerate) and what was the best approach for getting to that point (for me it's an mba b/c i'm most interested in what makes a business successful). i also considered the strength of various programs (looked at u.s news & world reports rankings) and where i would have the best opportunities for internships (nyc and la), since those tend to play a key role in getting a job. then came up with a short list of schools and started research programs & entrance reqs.

from your prior posts i know that you are interested in designing jewelry and making that a full time job (among other things). however i honestly don't think you should go for the BFA in jewelry for a number of reasons. you already have a bachelor's degree so imo it seems like a waste of money. more importantly you seem to be successfully designing and selling your jewelry right now. so while there's no doubt in my mind you'd learn new skills and techniques, you have to ask yourself how valuable they would be to you.

additionally if you do choose to go this route (via either a bfa or mfa) you should think about the career options available. do you want to go right into business for yourself or do you want to apprentice under another designer? also you should consider what kind of internships would be available to you, not just during the summer, but also during the school year. this is actually a major consideration for me b/c a lot of the internships i'm interested are either unpaid or based in specific areas. and while i don't have a problem with this, i don't want to feel like i'm giving up a summer to do something that i could do during the school year. so i'm trying to pick schools in areas where i can do unpaid stuff during the school year, and spend my summers making money.

i also don't think you should go the journalism route mainly b/c it seems kind of redundant, since you already have a bachelor's in that area. also two things strike me, 1) it doesn't seem to me (but then again i don't *know* you) that you're really interested in journalism. not that you don't want to be a journalist, but from what i *know* of you it seems like jewelry design is your first love. 2) and i don't mean this in a rude or condescending way so if it comes across like that i apologize in advance, it seems like you haven't been having that much success finding a job in that field, with your current qualifications (a degree in journalise). so i personally would be hesistant to invest more money in this specific area if the return on my initial investment has been less than stellar. (sorry if i sound like a banker)

i personally think an mfa in graphic design would be a better investment considering your interests. granted you could probably make the same argument (you could learn graphic design on your own). but since you've already noticed a trend in employers looking for this degree, and you're interested in that field it seems like a good option. plus imo that degree seems more versatile than the others so you could apply it in a number of different ways. but then again, what do i know?

-- Edited by honey at 11:27, 2005-04-28

kenzie · Chanel

Thanks for your thoughts, honey. I have a few other thoughts based on what you said.

["from your prior posts i know that you are interested in designing jewelry and making that a full time job (among other things). however i honestly don't think you should go for the BFA in jewelry for a number of reasons. you already have a bachelor's degree so imo it seems like a waste of money. more importantly you seem to be successfully designing and selling your jewelry right now. so while there's no doubt in my mind you'd learn new skills and techniques, you have to ask yourself how valuable they would be to you."]

The reason for the BFA consideration is that I can't go straight to an MFA in jewelry design b/c I don't have the metalsmithing background. The BFA program also works in conjunction with the business program and I would take classes regarding running a business. I would also learn stone setting and metalsmithing (something that I think would make me a better and more versatile designer). I would love to go straight for the MFA, but I'm not sure if that would work. I *may* also run into this problem with graphic design as well. I might talk to the head of the department and see what I could do.

["i also don't think you should go the journalism route mainly b/c it seems kind of redundant, since you already have a bachelor's in that area. also two things strike me, 1) it doesn't seem to me (but then again i don't *know* you) that you're really interested in journalism. not that you don't want to be a journalist, but from what i *know* of you it seems like jewelry design is your first love. 2) and i don't mean this in a rude or condescending way so if it comes across like that i apologize in advance, it seems like you haven't been having that much success finding a job in that field, with your current qualifications (a degree in journalise). so i personally would be hesistant to invest more money in this specific area if the return on my initial investment has been less than stellar. (sorry if i sound like a banker)"]

My BA isn't just in journalism--it's also PR and Advertising (my concetration was Magazine Journalism, which is kind of like a minor). I've chosen to not really pursue this area (Magazine Journalism) for the time being, but I'm thinking about really starting to send out query letters and submit articles to magazines. Who knows what will happen? When I was in college, my internships were in PR/Advertising/Event Planning. I have a great portfolio of work from these internships (press releases, brochures, newsletters, ect). I think the reason I haven't found a job is that the Philadelphia PR/Ad. market is so limited and jobs are few and far between. I barely find any to apply for. When I was in college, I had planned on moving to LA or NYC, where there are more jobs in that field, but that hasn't happened, so that's why I haven't found a job (b/c I know I don't suck ).

The MJ (Master's of Journalism) program that I'm interested in has an Advertising Business track. There is no actualy Advertising MA (I wish there was at Temple, I'd be all over that). So, this would be the only way to get master's in Advertising.

As far as graphic design, as I said before, I may run into an issue with not having enough experience to pursue an MFA initially. I've done some graphic design for my two senior projects and took a few classes, but not enough (I don't think). I have looked at the requirements and I have to submit a portfolio of work (not just graphic design, but other mediums). So, I could just start working on that (painting, drawing, jewelry design, sculpture). I've always been artistic and used to do all of these things, but have lacked the time in the past several years (kind of like I don't have time to do musical theatre at the moment either). I'm dying and depressed without my creative outlets. So, obviously, I need to something and do it fast. But, before I can do anything, I have to find another job b/c I'm not allowed to go to school while I'm at my current job in hell.

Thanks again for your thoughts. It always helps to get another perspective on things.

honey · Gucci

glad i can be of some help. we're kind of in similar situations and i find it really difficult b/c i don't have a guidance counselor to sit and kind of talk all this stuff out with.

based on what you said the jewelry design option makes more sense, and it's definitely worth pursuing. also talk to the department head b/c a lot of times they'll let you take supplemental courses while you pursue the mfa.

finally, it seems like you're considering part-time programs. i would strongly urge you to look into programs in areas where you can get internships in your field while you're in school (and possibly consider a full time program -- though i totally understand that you have to do what's best for you.) that was one of the biggest problems i ran into when i was in undergrad, and the main reason i'm not doing what i want to do right now. essentially every summer i was forced to choose b/t doing an internship in a field i wanted to be in -- and not getting paid. or doing something that would allow me to survive, and i always did the latter, mainly b/c i just couldn't afford not to. i really think that if i had the former i would be in a better position, but you know i can't relive the past, but i'm really working on rectifying this situation this go-round.

anyway i wish you the best of luck. i know that you're talented and the future holds bright things for you. also i'm going to try and get in touch with a friend of mine who does a lot of freelance writing. though try is the word b/c she's very flakey. but i'll see if i can get any pointers from her about freelancing b/c she doesn't have a degree in journalism per se but she has been successful in getting her works published in lots of magazines. also have you looked at the site mediabistro.com? they have a lot of resources and job listings for people in the media.