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Life After Loyola

Are you thinking about graduate school?

Here are some suggestions from Loyola History faculty to make sure that you are prepared:

  • Dr. Mark Fernandez: “Take a GRE review class. Ask professors to write recommendations well in advance of the deadlines. Be careful to select schools to apply to wisely by researching them on the Web, choosing schools that they realistically have a chance of being accepted to and to check with graduate directors to ensure that the professors they want to study with take on graduate students. Check the box on the application that ensures the confidentiality of the referee’s letter.”
  • Fr. Robert Gerlich, S.J.: “Apart from the caveat of marketability, I would say that one should be cautious to select a department which has people in the area of your interest. . . .Also make sure that the department is stable.”
  • Dr. Bernard Cook: “Learn languages. Go to the best school you can get into.”
  • Dr. Nancy Anderson: “Do NOT be intimidated by other graduate students who flaunt extensive bibliographical citations and arcane theoretical ideas. Usually the students who have the need to show off what they know are painfully insecure, and don't really know that much.”
  • Dr. Sara Butler: "You can't read the primary documents if you don't read the language. For medieval history, you MUST have Latin."

The following are examples of some post-graduation opportunities:

American Graduate Fellowships

An initiative of the Council of Independent Colleges, these fellowships are designed to promote and support doctoral study in the humanities by accomplished graduates of small and mid-sized private liberal arts colleges. Up to $50,000, renewable for a second academic year in these fields only: History, Philosophy, Literature, and Fine Arts. Application forms are available April 15; application deadline is October 15. For applications: American Graduate Fellowships.

The Davies-Jackson Scholarship

Supported by an anonymous benefactor, the Davies-Jackson Scholarship is designed especially for students from families with modest economic backgrounds and who are among the very first in their families to have graduated from college. The two-year, full scholarship to st. John's College at the University of Cambridge covers all tuition, fees, room and board during term-time, living expenses during summer vacation, and travel to and from England. The scholarship is open to students who wish to study Archaeology and Anthropology, Classics, Economics, English, Geography, History, History of Art, Modern and Medieval Languages, Music, Philosophy, or Social and Political Sciences. Applications are due at the beginning of November. Application materials are availabe at: http://www.cic.edu/Programs-and-Services/Programs/Pages/Davies-Jackson-Scholarship.aspx. Please note: at least one previous finalist was a Loyola University New Orleans graduate!

The Mayoral Fellows Program in City Government

The Mayoral Fellows Program offers post-baccalaureate students the opportunity to serve in New Orleans city government while helping to create a cadre of potential leaders for our community. Students qualify as Junior Fellows if they have earned a bachelor's degree and have been accepted in or recently entered a graduate/professional school. Students qualify as Senior Fellows if they are well-advanced in completing their graduate/professional program. The ten-month program gives the Fellows and opportunity to explore their ideas about a career in government. They can experience the challenges and opportunities of city government first hand while working on specific projects and proposals to help departments reach their goals.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • U.S. Citizen
  • Resident of Orleans Parish OR graduate of a high school or college in Orleans Parish
  • Bachelor's Degree AND admission to or enrollment in an accredited graduate program
  • Prepared to participate in the program on a full-time basis from August 14 to June 8

The Fellows Program is a ten month program beginning in August and ending in June.  Over 10 months, Fellows are paid a salary of approximately $23,000 plus receive pension and health benefits.

For information, see Mayoral Fellows Program, or contact Julie Schwam Harris or 504-658-4961.

Take the Foreign Service Exam!

Foreign service exams are usually offered in Louisiana at the University of New Orleans, Delgado Community College, LSU, and Southern University at Shreveport. There is no charge to take the exam. The annual written exam to become an officer is usually offered in April each year; however, the registration deadline for US test centers and for those wishing to take the exam overseas is usually in March.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Applicants must be citizens of the United States
  • Applicants must be at least 20 years old.
  • Applicants must be available for worldwide assignment, including Washington, DC
  • No specific educational level or proficiency in a foreign language is required.
  • The U.S. State Department is seeking applicants from all majors.
  • The U.S. State Department is committed to having a workforce as diverse as America

Applicants may register to take the exam, obtain information on the exam, and learn more about Foreign Service Careers by visiting the U.S. State Department's web site: www.careers.state.gov

Internships

The History Department offers many opportunities for students to participate in internships. Undergraduates who have achieved junior standing and have maintained a 3.0 GPA can inquire about working at such sites as:

  • The Historic New Orleans Collection
  • The National World War II Museum
  • The Louisiana State Museum
  • The Notarial Archives for Orleans Parish
  • The Amistad Research Center at Tulane University
  • The United States Marine Corps Historical Center
  • The Smithsonian Institution
  • The Historic St. Mary's City Archaeology Field School
  • The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
  • The Williamsburg Semester-in-Residence Program

Internships are highly recommended, especially for students going into areas of public history. The Counseling & Career Services Center can also be of assistance.

Opportunities in Teaching (Post-Graduation)

There are many opportunitites for college grads to teach both abroad and in the U.S. The following is a list of programs and institutions to assist you: