Comments on: ‘Unemployment is no lifestyle choice’

By: Kopf aus dem Sand | artefakt

Kopf aus dem Sand | artefakt — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 08:08:12 +0000

[...] dass man einen Titel hat, um nicht überqualifiziert zu sein, wie eine aktuelle Diskussion im Art History Newsletter zeigt. In der Wissenschaftslandschaft wird man in Deutschland ohne Promotion in den seltensten [...]

By: Jon Lackman

Jon Lackman — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:46:46 +0000

Commentary from the Twitterverse: "sO_izAYEE: i love my art history klass. too bad they dont get paid enuff kuz id be an art historian LOL"

By: David Packwood

David Packwood — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:33:09 +0000

Its a very sad story, but more depressing are the comments on the Guardian’s thread. I’m afraid that an arts degree, let alone a Phd, is the equivalent of wiping your nose on your sleeve in public these days.

As for the advice to hide your Phd, that just says it all.

By: D.G.

D.G. — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:04:42 +0000

So it’s almost better to stick to a B.A. or M.A. so you can avoid being overqualified for the jobs that are actually around.

By: Jeremy Miller

Jeremy Miller — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:29:09 +0000

I too was rejected from virtually every PhD program I applied to, and am glad about that now. The PhD would have over-qualified me for the job I have (teaching Art History at a 2 year design school) and qualified me for jobs that don’t exist. It seems clear that there is a large surplus of Art History PhDs, particularly in Britain.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 02:21:49 +0000

Only one Ph.D. program accepted me, but did not have the funds to offer any financial aid. Although my dream is to work in museums, I am so fortunate that I was able to find ANY job in the art market. Luckily, the gallery where I currently work is very historical centered. While I do want to try applying to Ph.D. programs again, I wonder now if it’s even worth it (in terms of a career).

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:03:03 +0000

This is depressing, although forewarned is forearmed. Wonder if unis should start shunting would-be art historians to a museology career track.

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:42:39 +0000

I got rejected from every Ph.D. program I applied to. Looking at the job market now, that’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.

By: H Niyazi

H Niyazi — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:59:17 +0000

Wow.. this is not only terribly depressing, but a perfect example of the many things that are wrong with the way some universities are handling the arts these days.

I really hope some more forward thinking people start to make changes in the way courses are structured and designing them with careers in mind. This was definitely what prevented me from pursing a career in the arts.