Matt Melnicki.
[2-October-2003]
Most often, when one decides to take an academic route of personal development in their life, it is because they recognize that there is much to be learned in this world. I would hope that those studying science also have in mind certain concrete tasks they would like to accomplish with this knowledge they are seeking, but some folks simply continue on in colleges because they are good at it and do not possess the passion for thought-based action. I can only imagine that among those that ascertain our world as being inadequately devised, the academic route seems to be most promising. Yet this route is a very competitive one where it often seems that compromises need to be made in order to accomodate everyone's abilities and interests. On applying to graduate schools, one must first of all be accepted among the numbers of other students concurrently applying for programs. Yet in this process of selecting academic programs that one might be accepted to, the indeterminacy wanes the applicant's capability of having a vision of what they would like to do with their knowledge. Because they may possibly not be admitted, and because indeterminacy in this society is detrimental to finding comfort (try moving from apartment to apartment, or city to city every few months and one can feel the fatigue of this lifestyle), one must apply to many programs and have either many specific goals in mind (not just one, for this may pose a limitation risk) or only a broad goal (such as "I want to study the molecular biology of fungi").
With a broad goal in mind, one is unable to commence their studies with that passion for thought-based action that should already be an integral part of their ideological adult life. (One wonders what magnificence a versatile, mutable adept might have if they have not initiated specific directions for opinions by the time their adult life has arrived). With many specific goals that one may hope to study, it is incredulous that they may have a firm basis in all of them, if any. Either the person has been untruthful to where their passions lay, or the person is trying to devise a facade for their ineptitude for dreaming of societal and ecological architecture.
My critique of potential scholars is only intended to elucidate how superlative are those that begin their preparations for study with a heartfelt idea. One would not be expected to have a full-detailed plan, or even a course of study yet. What is crucial, however, to the interdisciplinary success (no one realm of knowledge is singular) of their studies is their architectural aspirations and dreams. One should have something specific in mind that they would like to either find out how to do, or to find projects that they would like to be a part of. This should not be difficult for the idealistic. There are currently scholars worldwide studying a phylogeny of topics, and for certain many will stand in line with one's personal beliefs, no matter how radical they are.
The challenge, again, is admittance to graduate programs, especially prestigious ones. For advanced studies, one hopes to gain knowledge and thus enters a degree program with inexperience. Yet for the admission process, the competition includes persons that possess all degrees of experience. Certainly those that have experience will often be the first to be considered. What is one idealistic scholar without experience to do? This is especially problematic when the competition includes those that purport to be interested in this particular topic (but truly are interested in a broad span of non-topics and have embellished their application in order to improve their chances of securing a graduate position). The solution is logical: get experience.
Don't go to graduate school right away. However, take matters into your own hands and embark on a path that will both get you experience and get you into a position that is essentially an unenrolled graduate status. This can be done by finding the specific professor that is doing research similar to your goals and interests and is aligned with your idealism. You shouldn't have to swallow you grand ideas of what you'd like to do with your degree; your professor should be doing those things already. From there, read up on everything this professor has done. It is easy to access recent journal articles from a nearby university library's online computers (don't feel shy to ask the librarian if you're stuck). The next large step is to draft a brief letter to the professor telling them (a) why you're interested in their work, (b) what your situation is, and (c) that you'd like to work for free for them. First try email, then try fax, then drop-in. Use academic advisors if needed (don't worry if you're not a student there; it's their job to guide you. In fact, they'll probably be the most willing to listen to you and can open doors for you.)
With persistence, this method should get you in the door and on your way to getting experience, while simultaneously joining the team you desire most. Free is a back door if you use it correctly. If you make a strong case, and don't present yourself to be too crazy, it will be hard for a professor -- who is presumably already struggling for funding to get their work completed -- to say no to free labor. But "work for free"? You might inquire how this is to ensure your success, when it probably will involve sacrifices. Don't guarantee that you'll be able to work full-time; between a part-time job and a part-time academic volunteership, you should be able to make ends meet, with minimal sacrifices. While I would boldly advocate cutting back most capitalist/materialist costs -- why purchase bread when perfectly fine loaves are discarded daily? -- I believe that even small sacrifices might go a long way. I also have faith that you will eventually be offered a paid position. Professors like to take care of their researchers. They also like to have graduate students to do the research for them, so they can put papers out with both your names as authors. If you prove to be an asset (if you've chosen your professor correctly then there should be no question), you may be able to help write grants for the research you are trying to do. And you would also have a head-start over most other graduate students. (Remember? Most students do not have an idealistic background for action or a specific topic that they are heartfelt about. If they say they do, and do not provide a diatribe about why this sector of knowledge is mystifying, they are probably insincere about their passions. In any event, these graduate students have to spend time to actually cultivate their passion and research interest before they can even begin work on their topic.) You then have experience, and you essentially are a VIP in the professor's realm. When you become their graduate student, you will not just be a mutable student but an interested party firmly rooted in that topic of study. Your degree will be more meaningful and thus you will have enhanced your possibility of doing something for the world, hopefully for the idealistic social/ecological action or goal that you were initially inspired by.