I got my bachelor's degree in classics. All along I managed to persist in the study of Greekand Latin because I loved the field (still do) and because, when asked, "But what are you going to do with a classics degree?" I replied, "I can do a lot of things." I was certain that anyone confident (or crazy) enough to pursue the ultimate in liberal-arts degrees would be rewarded with interesting employment of some kind and earn at least reasonable salaries.
我得的学位是古典学学士学位。自始至终,我都设法坚持不懈地学习古希腊文和拉丁文,因为我喜欢这一领域(现在依然喜欢),还因为在有人问我:“但你凭着一个古典学学位以后能干什么?”时,我回答说:“我可以干很多事情。”那时我坚信,任何一个足够自信(或疯狂)要追求文科学位之终极目标的人都会得到某种有趣的工作,并挣得一份至少是过得去的薪金。
My experience has proved otherwise. It has also shown me a lot about the plight of anybody - with or without a degree — who is seeking work in today's slow job market. Most of all, it has made clear just how much the job-seeker is at the mercy of the job-giver.
但我的经历却证明我的热情错了。它还向我表明了在今天死气沉沉的就业市场上谋职的任何人——有学位的或没有学位的一样面临的种种困境。最重要的是它清楚地表明了在多大程度上寻求工作的要任凭提供工作者的摆布。
In the fall of 1984, when I decided to do without graduate school (a decision based on lack of money, not lack of interest or aptitude) , I began actively to hunt a job. I reasoned that my best opportunity would be to offer my services to private high schools where one who is able to read Cicero in his own language is still appreciated.
1984年秋,当我决定不读研究生院时(一个基于没有钱而不是没有兴趣或天资的决定),我便开始积极地寻找工作了。我分析我最好的机会是在私立中学教书,因为在那里一个能用原文读西塞罗著作的人仍然是会受到赏识的。
来源:可可英语 http://www.kekenet.com/daxue/201611/466848.shtml