Kevin. Mac Donnell wrote:
>
>
> My own experience might be instructive (after all, I was once a student who
> was never asked about the relevance of the courses that I took, or why I
> took them). I earned my English degree in the early 70s, and quickly
> realized my only job prospects were low-paying teaching positions. .....
>   

I dare say that my professional interests differ radically from most 
members of this list. My undergraduate degree is in biology (1970) and 
like Kevin, discovered that the jobs available were of the low paying 
sort. I knew that going in, but I really liked biology and still do. My 
formal education ended with an MS in Computer Science and I'm now in an 
enviable position (I think) where I go to work to have fun and they pay 
me real money to do it.

But, I did get turned on to Twain in a college lit class. Like most of 
us, I had read AHF in high school and was (then) not particularly 
impressed. But now I was reading Letters from the Earth - and was 
impressed and developed an interest in MT that has not wavered in these 
last 40 years.

An interesting article from an adjunct English professor was published 
in The Atlantic not too long ago and I think that many here will find it 
worth the read:
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200806/college

In any case, as Dr Chadwick-Joshua said a few years ago, this is a list 
for Twain scholars and I'll now return to lurk mode.

Tony
P.S. despite the appearance, the email address is legitimate.