My vision for where I will be in five years is fairly specific, but I am more than open to my life taking unexpected turns. My goal for 2022 is to be in a PhD program in either English, History, or Geography with a special research focus on the environment for any of these fields. If the right program and adviser is in England or Norway or Kansas or Wisconsin or New Jersey, I’d consider moving away from the West Coast, but I think I that want to stay west for as long as I can and return at the first opportunity. I want to find a great work/life balance where I prioritize rock climbing or swimming or biking or whatever outdoor exercise I can. This is particularly important to me because no matter where I might be, I want to be writing — academic, creative fiction, or journalism. Since I want to pursue an academic career in the broader field of environmental studies, I envision myself using the tools and materials from my ENVS studies a lot. I think my work from this year will be an important part of future applications. I may also intern or work in non-profit environmental organizations. I think my interest in earthquakes and the Japanese aspect of my thesis might get me to Japan at some point after my environmental humanities program and before a potential PhD program. I think my intense writing accomplishments from this semester will help ease some of the crippling self doubt I expect in my future as either an academic or writer. I hope to submit at least two of my writing samples from this year for publication and see how that goes. I want to have a lot of fun, read a lot of books, see new places, and be outside.
2017
After graduation, I plan to spend the summer working in Idaho. I want to rock climb and bike and spend time in the sun after this unbelievably indoorsy, rainy, and chilly spring. I might take the GRE, especially if I get a job tutoring for the SAT. In August, I will embark on my next academic adventure as a grad student at the University of Utah. I will move to Salt Lake City and join a rock gym, explore the mountains, enjoy the desert, visit national parks, and seek the best coffee and beer in the city. I will be taking three classes, two of which are core Environmental Humanities courses, one of which is hopefully an English course on ecocriticism. Maybe I will keep working on my earthquake interests regarding the Wasatch fault. Hopefully, I will be able to pursue some of my earlier goals as well, such as the thesis proposals I wrote here, here, and here. I might reach out to the High Country News, which has faithfully been a sidebar on my DS site for four years, for writing/reporting gigs. I will also go skiing!
2018
I will spend the summer either doing research, working, or interning in Utah (probably). I will be in my second and final year of my masters program, doing research for and writing a masters thesis. I will apply for a variety of future opportunities, such as the Luce, a Fulbright, an MFA program, a PhD program, or a fellowship at a magazine or publication. Perhaps I will do an internship over the summer, work on my creative writing, take math classes, pay my dues to the service industry, or take up several hobbies. In my program, I will either gain methods skills (such as GIS) or learn another language. If I want to get a PhD in English, I will probably try to study French and eventually, Japanese. I may also gain teaching experience. I will certainly take the GRE after this program if I haven’t already, and possibly also the Literature subject test.
2019
Having graduated with a masters in environmental humanities, I have several options. I can start a career in the non-profit sector, travel abroad on several programs (such as Princeton in Latin American, the Luce, Fulbright), or begin an academic career in a PhD program. This is the year I plan to take off from school, gaining what they call “experience” in the world before returning to academia. At this point, my ideal year would be in Japan with the Luce Foundation. I will spend the year or two off from school broadening myself and making connections with possible advisers in PhD programs.
2020
I hope to either be enjoying another year away from school, potentially remaining abroad or traveling, or beginning a PhD program in English, History, or Geography. Whichever field I end up in, I plan to do environmental research. I have a lot of pipe dreams about this stage of my career, but if I remain on this path I will follow the money while paying attention to location and personal health. Maybe I will be writing more full-time as a reporter or a fiction writer?
2021
If I am in a PhD program, I will probably be studying for and taking exams. If I am on a different career path, I hope to have good work/life balance and be working hard on interesting writing and/or environmental projects.