[John Cole]

One thing you should do is check The Chronicle of Higher Education for positions currently advertised in the field you are considering. Of course, the job market can change significantly by the time you're done.

During the summer I've been on a couple interview committees (I'm an associate professor of English at the Community College of Rhode Island), and we've interviewed many Ph.D's looking for jobs. I feel bad for many of them who can only find adjunct work despite their qualifications.

However, the benefits are many if you can find a tenure track position. You can work thirty weeks a year if you choose not to teach summer classes. My summer begins in the first week of May and ends after Labor Day. (I also don't need to worry about publishing, so I really do have the summer off.)

If you decide to pursue the doctorate in order to teach, make sure you go to the right school. Find out how many of their grads who seek teaching positions get them.