(no subject)

[alexmegami]

So I've been looking at potential directions I can take after university, as some of you may know. Some of these routes are a little bleak (for example, doing nothing with my degree is probably going to lead down a path of sadness and woe where I work for minimum wage. While this might be okay (see: working for Chapters and calling Simon about 'official business' on company time), it's probably not a path worth considering. After all, I can work part-time and harrass Simon at work just as easily.

A step that I'm looking into a little more is grad school. While harukami has horror stories (or at least a horrific work load) at York, here are a few places and degrees I have up for consideration.

• Western
  
  • Master of Library & Information Sciences (Sort of interesting, but not a favorite)
  
  
  • Law (Not a favorite due to sheer workload, but interesting)


• University of Windsor/Detroit University
  
  • Law, again - this time with a co-degree for potential to work in either the States or in Canada


• University of Waterloo
  
  • Masters in English Language and Professional Writing (Will only prepare me for a PhD in English Language and Professional Writing, but it might be worth a look)


• York University
  
  • Communication & Culture [with Ryerson] (Serena - other than the York snobs, how are you finding this? Would it be something I would be interested in?)
  
  
  • Comparative Perspectives and Cultural Boundaries (Maybe? I mean, it sounds like it would combine psych, sociology and a bit of religion... all interesting.)
  
  
  • Religion, Values and Culture (Problem: I do not have a degree in Religious Studies. However, their flyer/brochure does not mention any need for such an undergrad degree... so, on the list it is.)
  
  
  • Sociolinguistics (Probably a little too heavy on the -linguistics for my part, but who knows?)
  
  
  • Screenwriting (Oh, love. Love love love the idea of this one. However, portfolio required, of which I have none.)


• Sheridan College
  
  • Advanced Television and Film (Production, directing, screenwriting, camera and lighting, digital design, editing and post-production. Problems: no media-related post-secondary diploma, unless I wrench Rhetoric into that position.)
  
  
  • Journalism (Interesting, again, but there are others I prefer.)
  
  
  • Interactive Multimedia (Web design and CD-ROM design that is, well, interactive. Neat, a little off the beaten path. Issues: no graphic portfolio.)


• Humber
  
  • Advertising - Media Sales (Pitching TV shows and advertisements for radio and TV - who to sell to and how. Interesting, but not great - I'm no saleswoman.)
  
  
  • Broadcasting - Radio (Now here's one I'm interested in. Can't you imagine me on CFRB? :P A test on current events to get in, though - yikes - as well as knowledge of the radio industry! *shiver* The reading of the script is not so bad, nor is the essay requirement.)
  
  
  • Comedy: Writing and Performance (Interesting, but does require a comedic portfolio and an audition/interview which I would be paying for. Not likely, but a possibility.)
  
  
  • Creative Book Publishing (How to work at a publishing house. Definitely up on the list.)
  
  
  • Creative Writing - Comic Scriptwriting (Oh, how I would love this... requires a written submission of a work-in-progress.)
  
  
  • Creative Writing - Fiction (Faculty is authors I've never heard of. Unlikely to pay attention to fantasy authors. Manuscript would be sent to publishers. WIP submission up to 15 pages.)
  
  
  • Journalism (As above, with an essay requirement that will assess general knowledge and grammar.)
  
  
  • Post-Production (Exactly as it says. A bit of an odd choice, but my cousin does this, and it actually sounds fascinating; requires resumé, portfolio, two letters of reference, and possibly my dog.)
  
  
  • Teaching English as a Foreign Language (I don't want to fall back on teaching, but teaching adults might be OK)
  
  
  • Television Writing and Producing (This is probably my top one. Also gives courses on planning financially for these endeavors. Could be awesome.)

It's a pretty long list, but... those are the programs that caught my eye. A lot of TV and radio-related ones, which I don't think I expected... but I suppose it's a way of combining performance with writing, and I think I'd enjoy that. The law ones, I would actually find interesting - the issue is really workload, and the fact that I would not want to be a lawyer in the field I would pursue (criminal law). Teaching is one of those things - I don't think I could handle kids, but I could probably teach adults. Beyond that, culture and religion are up there.

I could always go back to UW for another four years... eight years... twelve years... forever?

What do you think? What are the top three on that list that scream 'Alex' to you? Three you'd like to see me go through? Words of encouragement before I have a mental breakdown? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Comments

[sasuran.livejournal.com]

Wow, a lot more than 3 I could see you doing! Aside from, Alex! Come to London with meeeeee~~~~~~~! I'll have to go with:

* Screenwriting, York
* Creative Book Publishing, Humber
* Broadcasting, Humber

I just see you doing something creative more so than legal. :) But then again, Looooondooon...

[alexmegami]

Hahahah. Well, London has its own disadvantages that I haven't even posted (as do Windsor and even, to some extent, Waterloo) - namely, rent. The others I have the ability to commute to school (hell, I went past York every day this past summer), and Sheridan I could even live at home. Hell, I could be chauffeured if I played my cards right ;) The colleges are also cheaper, I think, which is a bonus since my RESP is running out.

I can see me doing something creative moreso than legal, too, but it's a direction I'm not adverse to, so up it goes. :)

[shugahkitty.livejournal.com]

heya!
well i would say the creative writing stuff is way up your alley--i would consider sheridan or humber--i think u would enjoy it a lot more.
the grad pgms here at york (both english and comcult) are fairly academic intensive. they expect a lot of research, and presentations at seminars and conferences--but if u like it, then i would go for it!! comcult is good; very competitive tho--and york snobs puts it lightly, methinks

as for the criteria for each of the pgms uve listed--it's easy to use rhetorical skillz a la loo to spice up your application--just make a good case, but dont worry about not having the actual prerequisite--if u want it badly enuff they will see that

as for law? pahh!! and UW? their grad pgm is very very stuffy and old school unless you wanna do rhetoric and web/computer design--which u may actually like! : D (look into it, its new as of a couple yrs ago...involves some visual art and comp skillz tho)

finally, they expect u to have like a billion tons of good marks (something i didnt have)....but i know u do! if u dont tho, a resume and volunteer/work experience will pull up your app significantly (only for the handson not the academic pgms)

...and talk to profs, lots of them now! they can direct u into places u wanna go! and they can give u suggestions, too, and pointers on apps!

i say go for it! do wut makes u happiest tho--for me, i see you doing creative type writing stuff tho, not anything overly academic (read: boring, not cos of lack of skill) good luck!!!

[alexmegami]

Haha, thanks <3 I talked to "the Draper" today, and he was heavily hyping Humber or - actually - UBC for Creative Writing. (Now there's an idea that Joyee and Steven might like ;) I'm going to talk to Randall tomorrow, and see if I can't find MacDonald around sometime.

Law is interesting! Criminal and constitutional law, anyway.

My grades so far are pretty good - 79% - 84 % averages per semester, usually around 81%. Not terrific, but not horrible.

Thanks for the advice and pointers <3 Love!

[kisekileia.livejournal.com]

The screenwriting, Creative Book Publishing, and TV/radio ones look good to me. I wouldn't go for the English as a foreign language teaching unless you find dealing with people who don't speak English a LOT less annoying than I do.

[doomedmessenger.livejournal.com]

I think you'd much more enjoy the creative writing ones.

[alexmegami]

I'm not entirely sure of that - most CW stuff focuses on contemporary, non-sff fiction. I might get lucky, but the other paths are just as valid as interests.

[cellophanedeity.livejournal.com]

Come to my school!

I'll buy you lunch twice a week. Ooh! Incentives! And, I'd give you oral sex in Robarts! ;)

If you're really interested in Media Sales, I have a friend who works in the field that I'm sure would be very happy to talk to you about it. He likes talking in general, and he's hot. :)

Really, I have no idea what you should do. Sorry.

[alexmegami]

*giggle* Mmmm, oral sex. That's almost incentive enough.