Higher education, including rhetoric programs, are prone to over-specialization. I’ve met professors with expertise in the clothes of ancient orators. Clearly, that’s not knowledge useful to students seeking career skills \u2014 unless they run for public office wearing purple and blue robes trimmed in gold. Probably not a winning strategy. We specialize too narrowly at the risk of losing any practicality.<\/p>\n
One bit of advice offered to graduate students and professors in their pre-tenure years is to specialize, with laser-like focus, and establish a niche you can protect and defend.<\/p>\n
There could be no advice less academically acceptable to me. It would be better to read and explore nothing than to close your eyes to anything outside a little box. In fact, I think you would learn more and contribute more outside the walls of a university so dedicated to specialization.<\/p>\n
I do not want to declare a little niche. I want to be a little of everything, specialist in nothing. I believe in the concept of a Renaissance scholar. There is inspiration to be found in every field,\u00a0in every experience. To exist in a little fortress is to shield yourself from accidental discovery.<\/p>\n
Of course, I’m several years away from whatever academic career might follow. In five years, I might have a niche, too. Oh, please, let me resist that great advice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Higher education, including rhetoric programs, are prone to over-specialization. I’ve met professors with expertise in the clothes of ancient orators. Clearly, that’s not knowledge useful…<\/p>\n