I'm sure many of you have wondered, "What is the perfect job for someone with an undergrad degree in Germanic Linguistics?" I finally found the answer: Student. Sure, it doesn't pay very well, but you already have so much good experience.

When I graduated nine years ago, I sent out dozens of resumes. The worst part was finding jobs that even I thought I was qualified for (there weren't many). It was always exciting to receive a letter from a prospective employer. I never knew what I would find. At Least until I read the first five or so. Most of them said "Your qualifications are (and you could see the quotes although they weren't printed)'Interesting,' however, we have selected another candidate who fits our needs better at this time."

I ended up doing accounting of all things, for my mother. It took about a month and a half to learn double entry accounting and the MAS90 software we used for book keeping and inventory control. So much for German. Two year of that before moving on to San Francisco, and temping at a gigantic bank. I actually got a decent career out of that one, but it was only because I had an opportunity to prove myself as a temp.

Now, when I opened up the book for my phonology class (which starts on Thursday), I found IPA that I instantly recognized as Icelandic. I scanned to the heading at the top of the page and read: "Syllable structure and phonological effects: quantity in Icelandic." Hah! I'm qualified for this! I have a degree in Germanic Linguistics! I've read Old Norse! I can recognize Icelandic (and other North Sea Germanic languages)on sight! I know what a mora is and how to count them! I have a slightly rusty but still firm grasp of Germanic stress patterns and syllable structure! You CAN'T not hire me for this job! I'M YOUR MAN!

Oh. You want me to pay you?   Well.   ok.