Celeste Palmer - PhD Student and Teaching Assistant at UC San Diego
Name: Celeste Palmer
Major: History
Current Position/Status: History PhD student and Teaching Assistant at UC San Diego.
Year Graduated: 2024
What was your first job after graduating with your degree from UC Davis?
Americorps Student Success Coach at City Year Sacramento
Can you describe your career path from your first job after UC Davis to your current position?
I applied to graduate school while serving in Americorps last year and now I’m studying for a PhD (which is fully funded with TAships). I now I take classes towards my PhD in History and teach undergraduates as a TA.
How did your degree in History shape and prepare your career path post-graduation?
I could not have gotten into a PhD program without a masters, as I did, if not for the UC Davis history department, the history honors thesis program, and especially the history professors at UC Davis. I am extremely grateful for everything they did for me.
What advice do you have for students interested in your career field?
Make sure you get to know your professors (you are going to need 3 letters of recommendation to get into grad school and besides, they will have good advice for you). Consider completing an honors thesis or masters program before you apply to PhD programs (the CSU’s have some affordable MA programs). Lastly, consider doing one or more gap years and getting some education related experience while you refine your application. In the end make sure you apply to PhD programs when you feel that you are ready and remember that it is extremely competitive to get into a good grad school.