I recently had dinner with one of the most promising writers who has finished my MFA program. This writer is completing a post-degree job search, which, with any luck, will be a choice between … Borders and Barnes & Noble. That’s right, an MFA + publishing credits = bookstore clerk.
OK, not for everyone. Several Iowa MFAs used to blog at Babies Are Fireproof. While the site is now fairly dormant, following its contributor links shows what it’s like to finish grad school, get a good teaching gig and publish a book or two.
After the MFA’s After the Workshop series is a melancholoy, cautionary tale of on not making lasting creative connections with his MFA colleagues. Reminder: while in the MFA, take advantage of the MFA.
Meanwhile, Ron Hogan is looking for nominees for MFA professors who’d be the Simon Cowell in an American Idolized workshop. Wasn’t the vaunted Frank Conroy supposed to be one mean mofo?
When I started this MFA process, I was bright-eyed and optimistic. Now that I’m halfway done? I take sick pleasure in stories of how it’s not always a great idea.
It’s good to know I’m not alone in my conflicted thoghts about the MFA process! And yes, like you, I have a weird delight in my conflicted thoughts and feelings.
Where did our culture ever come across the misguided notion that studying art should necessarily lead to a lucrative or glamorous career?
Well the MFA folks would have you think that getting an MFA would qualify one to teach creative writing. As the University of Iowa writer’s workshop says on their website:
As a “program” we offer the Master of Fine Arts in English, a terminal degree qualifying the holder to teach creative writing at the college level.
http://www.uiowa.edu/~iww/about.htm
A qualification is certainly not a guarantee.