What Do You Do With A B.A. In English?

            Approaching graduation some of us might be wondering what lies ahead. I would love to be rich. I want to travel the world. I just want to get out of Chico! Everyone seems to think that graduation is the ticket into the real world, but getting out of school is only the first step. I think “Avenue Q” on Broadway, addresses this point perfectly.

“What do you do with a B.A. in English,
What is my life going to be?
Four years of college and plenty of knowledge,
Have earned me this useless degree.

I can't pay the bills yet,
'Cause I have no skills yet,
The world is a big scary place.

But somehow I can't shake,
The feeling I might make,
A difference,
To the human race”

That song is called “What do you do with a BA in English” and it is followed by “It Sucks to be me”

"When I was little
I thought I would be...  
A big comedian
on late night TV
But now I'm thirty-two
And as you can see
I'm not

Nope!

Oh Well,
It sucks to be me.
It sucks to be me.
It sucks to be broke
and unemployed
and turning thirty-three.
It sucks to be me.
 
Oh, you think your life sucks?
 
I think so.
 
Your problems aren't so bad!
I'm kinda pretty
And pretty damn smart.!
I like romantic things
Like music and art.
And as you know
I have a gigantic heart
So why don't I have
A boyfriend?
f***!
It sucks to be me!

Me too.
 
It sucks to be me.
It sucks to be me.
It sucks to be Brian...
And Kate...
To not have a job!
To not have a date!
It sucks to be me."

So if you find yourself out of college and in the same situation as the characters in “Avenue Q,” Travis Axton a representative of the Peace Corps has something in store for you.

Travis is the west coast representative for the Peace Corps. In 2004-2006 he spent 2 years in Zambia. He worked on health issues such as HIV/AIDS and Malaria. Travis didn’t try to glamorize his experience and definitely made note of the culture shock he encountered even after receiving three months of training on the culture. Travis spoke of his experiences living in a village of Bimba speaking Zambians. His first encounter with his villagers he described as a lavish event with percussionists using anything readily available as an instrument as they danced their way towards his hut. Upon arrival at his doorstep, they slaughtered a chicken in his honor! Learning the customs was strenuous and exciting. He described the many forms of handshakes and greetings. He spoke of meeting with an old friend whom you have not seen in a while and crouching down low and slapping hands while maintaining conversation. Also he reminded us to grab your elbow when greeting an elder, and when greeting a chief to drop to your knee, clap, and say respect in Bimba. Travis spoke of his desire to learn about Zambia before leaving the United States and how when he opened a travel book; the first words he saw were “Zambia, the REAL Africa.” Travis spoke of a truly extraordinary and life changing experience as a “moozoomboo” (I spelled that one using onomatopoeia) which meant “white guy” living in Africa.

            Travis Axton also spoke of the benefits to joining the Peace Corps which are also listed on the group’s website at www.peacecorps.gov. It is important to note, that the Peace Corps are an independent United States Federal Agency, however you are not employed by the United States government, and rather are requested by a foreign government to help in their country. While enlisted in the Peace Corps you are entitled to full medical and dental coverage. Also you receive a housing allowance, your travel to and from your site is provided, and you are provided a living allowance as well. Travis also noted that although you are given these allowances, they are only enough to “live at the level of your community.” For every month you work, you accrue two days vacation so in two years you accumulate 48 vacation days. Upon completion of the program you are given a $6,000 adjustment allowance.

            If you find yourself lost after college, or even in the middle of your college career, Peace Corps may be that “something” you were missing. It is a cultural exchange. It has been around for 48 years, and operates all over the world, with over 8000 volunteers. After service you will forever be a spokesman for the Peace Corps, whether it be representing the Corp like Travis does, or speaking in Bimba at a cocktail party to meet girls!