Am I Crazy?

[mpls-mexico]

I am thinking of switching careers. Totally. And I've got two small children and a house and some minor debt. But if you feel like you want something more fulfilling, shouldn't you go for it? I've got my BA and graduated, gulp, in 2000. It's been a while. I am looking into graduate degree programs, namely education. I could go some evenings and occassional weekends and get my initial licensure and then sometime during the 5 years after the initial licensure get my master of arts degree.

My husband thinks I am nuts but I know it is just fear talking...fear of not having enough money, of me be gone a lot. I get it. I would probably feel the same way. But I'm thinking part-time graduate student while working full-time is doable, right? I am not in a big hurry but I also don't want to take 5 years. Plus, when student teaching time comes around I'd have to quit my job and that unknown is a bit freaky now but I also think when I come to that point I'll have knowledge of other options.

Any currently employed parents out there who are also going to school? What are the difficulties of juggling it all?

Any teachers out there that want to comment on their profession?

I'm currently a legal assistant and frankly, I am bored. I just can't be here forever. I feel like something is missing in my "day job".

Thx.

---------- Post added at 07:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------

p.s. I also have always wanted to be a teacher so it isn't for the summer off thing. I applied to a few programs years ago but they were super intense at big name universities and I didn't get in. Then came immigration and then kids...you know how it goes.

[Js wife]

Have you gotten into numbers with him yet? Maybe if you sit down and work numbers with him he'll consider it more (or maybe he'll be more opposed, I have no idea, just a thought).

I am seeing my teacher friend on Sunday, I'll ask if you guys can discuss and then I'll give you her number (as we discussed before). Maybe you could even shadow her for a day or something.

[keekabella]

I say go for it. Life is too short to be bored and unhappy with your job. We spend so much of our time at work that you should at least be doing something you truly enjoy. It will be a challenge to work full time, go to school and raise your children but if you really want it you will be able to find a way.

[saritaj14]

I am a teacher, have been for 14 years. I live in the Midwest and it is very hard to find teaching around here. There are budget cuts everywhere, teachers retire or resign and their positions just do not get filled. Also, you said you would be getting a master's degree? Where I am from, it would be hard for a beginning teacher to get a job if he/she has a master's because they have to pay you more. Most inexperienced teachers get jobs because they are cheap to hire.

You say you have small children. Teachers, especially beginning teachers, have to out a lot of extra hours in at school and have to bring A LOT of work home. It is hard to do with your children. Just want to make sure you realize that. There are many nights where I leave my teacher job, pick up the kids, make dinner, throw in some laundry, clean the kitchen, and then work on my lessons for the following day. No time for the kids, no time for me.

If I had to do it all over again, I would choose something in the medical field-like nursing. That might not be your cup of tea but I have nurse friends who love their jobs and they have flexible schedule options (aka working 12 hr days but working 3 or 4 days a week).
You may want to visit a local community college and see what other career options are available. I do encourage you to do something if you are unhappy with what you are doing though.

I'm not trying to squash your dreams, I just want you to know the reality that teaching isn't a 8:00-3:00 job with your summers free. Nearly all the teachers I know take classes in the summer or teacher summer school to supplement their income.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

[adelante]

I don't think you are crazy at all. I mean, to some degree your work is your life so it's not crazy that you would want to be doing something that you believe in and are interested in. I received some really useful advice recently that I will try to share with you and hopefully it makes sense Basically, we all tend to focus on particular careers that we would like to do (I want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, nurse, CEO, whatever) - but in reality we don't really know what the career entails. Instead you should focus on what are the things that you imagine to be a part of a career as a teacher that appeal to you - for example, helping others, working with children, using your creativity, etc. Then, looking at all of those qualities/skills you can start to imagine other ways to get the same sort of fulfillment in other types of jobs that might not be such a huge leap from what you're currently doing, or that you might not need to go back to school and start from the very beginning. So, you're a legal assistant. Could you work in a different area of law that would bring you in to contact with children? For example, family / adoption law or something along those lines? Or maybe you could go to library school and become a librarian in an elementary / middle school. I believe a masters in library science is a 2 year full time program. Or maybe you could be an administrator at a daycare or preschool.

See where I'm going? You might be able to find something that satisfies your emotional needs as well as family and financial needs. I hope that helps.

[shannonv]

My husband thought the same thing. Tried to tell me it was too late when I was only 27! I say it's never too late! And one thing I have taken from this situation is that there are so many people that are not blessed to have the opportunity that we have to get an education and pursue a career of interest. We should take advantage of our opportunities. I feel almost a responsibility to do such so as not to take it for granted. I am a full time working mother who goes to school part time. It is just a balancing act but completely doable. My original plan was to go for Spanish Education and teach but the more I weighed the pros and cons for myself and my family I decided against it. I have taken the majority of my gen ed classes online and am not taking an online liberal studies program for the sheer convenience of it. I previously worked in a middle school as a secretary. I had the opportunity to see many teachers who loved their jobs and were excellent teachers. But what I gather from most is that it is hard work for low pay and not necessarily a good long time option. Teaching is not for everyone. I would strongly suggest meeting with teachers to hear the pros and cons and to sit in on some classes if at all possible. As others have stated, the budget cuts are a big concern right now. Especially for new teachers who don't have seniority. I firmly believe that if it is something that has been calling to you then by all means pursue it but educate yourself first about what it really means to be a teacher.

[mpls-mexico]

Hey—I appreciate all the thoughtful answers and comments to my initial post. There is certainly a lot to consider.

Most of my closest friends are teachers. I am well aware of the pros and cons, how time consuming it is, but also how rewarding it can be if you are doing it for the right reasons. I’ve volunteered in numerous classrooms over the years and also worked in Mpls schools tutoring ELL students and teaching beginning Spanish to teachers.

The good thing with the Master’s program that I am applying for is that after you get your licensure you have up to 5 years to complete your masters. I certainly would want to teach for a few years before getting the masters. I also appreciate that with a degree/licensure in education there are many opportunities available; teaching, curriculum development, administration, etc.

I had a meeting with an advisor this week and I got so energized…I hadn’t felt that in a while about my work.

Looking forward to the adventure!!

[adelante]

It certainly sounds like you've done your homework and what you describe makes me feel excited for you!!!

Best of luck in pursuing this goal!!! Sometimes that extra dose of inspiration makes many things possible that you didn't think you'd have the time or energy to do and it sounds like you are on your way!

[mpls-mexico]

I just wanted to update and say that I LOVE SCHOOL AND WHAT I AM LEARNING. I guess I am saying this so if someone else out there has a desire to do something and a way to do it, definitely go for it.

I’m not going to lie, it has been very challenging to juggle full-time work, graduate studies/classes, 2 kids, husband, house, etc. but it is so fulfilling. My husband commented the other day that I am so much happier since I’ve started back at school. That was all the confirmation I needed to know that I am doing the right thing.

If all goes on track I should be done with classes Dec. 2012, and then gulp…quit my job and student teach. I’m a little freaked by all that but I’m not gonna let that get in the way of what I am doing now. One step at a time, right?!

[adelante]

Thanks for the update! It's wonderful to hear that it's going well!