u/DefinitionRegular470

I'm an adult returning to higher education to finish my undergraduate degree. Assuming I am able to maintain a 3.8-4.0 GPA and maximize my remaining coursework, what do I need to prioritize with the intent of pursuing a PhD?

I am still working a full-time 9-5, as I must, and have two years remaining of my undergrad in English Literature; the first two were completed about eight years ago. Should I begin developing relationships with graduate staff at my target universities? Should I be searching anywhere, everywhere, high and low for interesting research opportunities, which are, admittedly, quite few in number, as I am an online student in addition to working full time, and attend a university out of state? I do not have a spare second to waste, as two years were lost to me when I was young and unprepared.

It is incredible how adulthood changes your perception of education, especially for those coming from families who do not prioritize it. My dedication to this is iron. It is also worth noting that the program I desire most has a very narrow approval window. I am getting older, and after delving into the working world, I now know with certainty what future I wish to pursue. The only problem remaining is how to secure that future.

Considering my circumstances, if you have any advice on what I should focus on to optimize my resume to its most admissible potential, I would be glad to receive it.

I'm an adult returning to higher education to finish my undergraduate degree. Assuming I am able to maintain a 3.8-4.0 GPA and maximize my remaining coursework, what do I need to prioritize with the intent of pursuing a PhD?

I am still working a full-time 9-5, as I must, and have two years remaining of my undergrad in English Literature; the first two were completed about eight years ago. Should I begin developing relationships with graduate staff at my target universities? Should I be searching anywhere, everywhere, high and low for interesting research opportunities, which are, admittedly, quite few in number, as I am an online student in addition to working full time, and attend a university out of state? I do not have a spare second to waste, as two years were lost to me when I was young and unprepared.

It is incredible how adulthood changes your perception of education, especially for those coming from families who do not prioritize it. My dedication to this is iron. It is also worth noting that the program I desire most has a very narrow approval window. I am getting older, and after delving into the working world, I now know with certainty what future I wish to pursue. The only problem remaining is how to secure that future.

Considering my circumstances, if you have any advice on what I should focus on to optimize my resume to its most admissible potential, I would be glad to receive it.

Edited:

Greets and Salutations! (I do not mean "wierd lit" in its strictest definition, moreso as a description.)

I am an adult (27) returning to complete my undergraduate degree. Upon graduation, I plan to further my education and pursue a doctorate. My undergrad is in English Lit with an minor in Art History, and after working in the corporate world for the past nine years, I have come to the conclusion that academia is where I belong. I understand the associated risks, and am still here. Please do not try to warn me of low pay, poor markets, or lack of tenure track positions. I have done my research and am still pursuing my passions, as I firmly believe the humanities to be an essential stepping stone upon which our cultural future depends on.

My question lies in what research I would like to pursue. The intersection of historical feminist literature/female authors and occultism/spiritualism is by no means a common sphere, and I am struggling to find the best path. Are there any particular institutions that possess faculty with an interest or focus in this area, outside of the university of exeter? I have found a few working at the university of washington, which would be ideal.

For cost and accessibility reasons I am attending ASU online, which does not possess the broadest collection of literature classes. Is there a topic or era I should hone in on when selecting classes to assist in qualifiying for a graduate program, such as renaissance literature or medieval studies? I began my degree when I was eighteen, with absolutely no idea of what I wanted -- several of my electives are around education and theatre, so I need to be aggressively selective in my remaining coursework to ensure my transcript paints a clear and enticing picture for potential faculty sponsors.

I guess I am just looking for some insight overall. What would pursuing this path even look like, and how would I pitch/frame this area of study?