Saturday, July 05, 2008

What To Do, What To Do . . .

If anyone is interested to read about how, and why, you go about applying for PhD work, here's an excellent guide.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was fascinating to read. I can see how his insights and guidelines could be very helpful. I know you can do it all, Jon, and we want to help as much as we can. Mom

4:40 pm
Colin Toffelmire said...

So does this mean you're thinking about PhD work in the near future?

7:07 pm
ErinOrtlund said...

That was very interesting! Here's a few points I might add based on our experience:

--Consider applying to many programs to increase your chances of being funded--if you can go tuition free and even have a stipend, that is a great start to making it financially through a doctorate. But then, we knew people doing doctorates who raised support, or worked with a church during their studies, etc.

--If interested in a US program, determine how you will have healthcare coverage during the program

--A UK program could be a great choice due to the shorter length and the cultural experience.

--It's true the academic job market is tight, so realize you will likely have to be open to moving anywhere. Also, consider whether God would have you teach in a seminary abroad. Our friends who work in Cairo feel so fulfilled in their strategic position at the Cairo Evangelical Theological Seminary. Other friends of ours didn't find an academic job but found churches that appreciated having a pastor with a PhD.

--In the end, if you feel it's what God is calling you to, He will guide and provide even if the future is very unclear. I remember when Eric was applying to PhD programs, being very nervous about how we would afford it, how we would have a baby during the program and he said at one point, "Maybe I should just go into the business world." We considered that for 5 seconds and knew there was no way but forward, even through the uncertainty.

11:39 pm
Jon Coutts said...

thanks mom.

yes colin. will be spending the year ahead working and applying (and hopefully preparing) for phd studies.

thanks erin. that's really helpful insight.

12:35 am

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