Why Global Medieval Studies?
How can something so “impractical” help me get a job after graduation?
Our alumni have gone on to successful careers in teaching, law, higher education, information science, management consulting, accounting, and more. They’ve heard this question throughout their studies and careers––here’s what they have to say in response:
Global Medieval Studies sets you apart from your peers.
“When applying for teaching jobs with no experience, no certification, and no Education degree, it gave me something interesting to talk about. I could speak more intelligently about why I was interested in teaching, because I had spent so much time defending my choice to others.” – Annette Russell, Class of 2016
You’ll gain practical skills through your coursework.
Through your Global Medieval Studies courses, you’ll learn how to:
- Analyze problems using limited data
- Write, communicate, and present clearly
- Approach complex problems from a variety of perspectives
Employers consistently rank the skills you’ll gain through an MVST degree as the most valued in the workplace, as John Sebastian (Class of ’99) notes.
Addie Fleron (Class of ’16) often notices the similarities between what’s asked of her through her job as a management consultant and what was asked of her through her Global Medieval Studies courses. In her current work, she analyzes problems and suggests solutions using data that’s often imperfect, using the same skills that medievalists employ to study primary sources from over a millennium ago.
Your degree will open up a range of options after graduation.
Because medieval studies imparts a highly valued skillset, our graduates have a range of options after leaving Georgetown––for example, the communications skills our students learn have helped them draft the writing samples needed to land prestigious consulting jobs.
Our program’s global emphasis gives you an edge in the job market and greater versatility, whether you want to go into museum work, archaeology, social work, policy, psychology, anthropology, education, writing, editing, translation, film, or another field.
These skills will be increasingly useful as automation becomes more common, and because they’ll be always be in high demand, you’ll be better able to weather fluctuations in the job market.
Your degree will grant you amazing opportunities to see the world, too––Eric Nemarich (Class of ’14), a PhD student at Harvard University, has regularly travelled to Italy, France, and Germany to study primary sources; going abroad and picking up several other languages is actually quite typical for medievalists! You can even get a head start by taking MVST courses at our Villa Le Balze campus in Florence, Italy.
You’ll give your education meaning by studying a subject you’re passionate about.
Our faculty are equally passionate about their work, and their research areas are diverse––through MVST classes, you can study the global history of the plague, witches in Germany, sexuality and power in medieval Islamic countries, and more. They’re enthusiastic about getting to know you and your interests, and our alumni note that faculty were there to support them through graduate school and into their professional lives.
By understanding the Middle Ages, you’ll better understand modern-day society.
“Studying the Middle Ages can help us appreciate that people are people, both today and 1,000+ years ago. Our medieval predecessors loved their children, worried about their appearance, and wanted to belong to a community, just as we do. Learning how medieval people satisfied their needs and wants can help us appreciate the strength of the human spirit and humankind’s goal throughout history to dignify their humanity.”
Annette Russell, Class of 2016