Decisions, decisions, decisions.

[shaxper]

Anyone feel like playing guidance counselor?


Here I am, out in the real world, confronted with the fact that I need to choose a career objective for myself sometime sooner rather than later, and I'm very confused. Here are my three options, as I see them. Any random input or virtual slaps across the face would be very much appreciated:

1. High School English Teacher. I've always wanted to teach literature, and this is the place where it counts most, turning kids on before so many of the bad english teachers of the world turn them away from literature forever. There's good money and tenure involved, the area I live in has a high demand for them right now, and all I need is a teaching certificate that I could complete in half a year with a minimum of expense. The problem is that I'd be teaching a lot of kids who don't want to learn. I'm afraid I'd spend more time being a disciplinarian and asserting authority than I would spend actually teaching, and I am not good with confrontation (which the kids should sniff out immediately). I'd also have to deal with Super Intendants, School boards, and a lot of other burocratic nonsense dictated by people with less of an education than I'd have.

2. College English Professor. Nearly everyone I'd teach would genuinely want to learn, discussions would be far more complex and fascinating so that I'd actually learn a few things while I taught, and my authority would never come into question. There's also less ignorant burocracy in most cases. However, we're talking at least four years of graduate school, moving out of the really nice area I just moved to (I love it here) to pursue such a degree, and a far more competitive job market so that there's a reasonable chance I could find myself with an incomprehensibly expensive degree and no job. It would also be hard to coordinate careers with my wife, since college openings could take me ANYWHERE in the country, rather than anywhere in the city limits.


3. Librarian. It almost doesn't seem to belong on the list compared to the other two, but it interests me. I already have five years' experience working part time in libraries, and I really do love the work. Far easier, less competitive, not profit driven, no work or stress to take home with you, and you're still spreading the love of literature with people who want to read. Pursuing an MLS (master of library sciences) would be far cheaper and easier than a PhD, and finding a job should be easier. The pay would not be as nice as with the other two, but I could live off of it and have a seemingly far less stressful life. The main drawback is that I'd have a boss, and while I don't mind the idea of having a boss in general, the fact that twenty years into a job, my nice boss could get replaced by a jerk really bothers me. A library job is only as good as the people who work above you.

There you have it. I'm lost. What do I do? Someone choose for me

[Harry]

Have you posted this at Amy Ulen's site? She, and a lot of members there, are high school English teachers.

[shaxper]

Perhaps I should do that, though it would be a bit awkward since I'm not really a regular there. I'll take it under consideration though. Thanks, Harry.

[Harry]

My problem in offering advice is that I'm none of those things. My wife does have a teaching certificate and has been a librarian for several years, but I'm not sure her experiences would match yours. I do have a caution about the college professor option. There are a ton of English majors and lots of positions for graduate TAs. The demand for actual professors, from what I hear, is a lot less than the number of those pursuing the positions. It's a pain to go through grad school only to find that you have been prepared for almost nothing.

I thought you and Ganymede were headed for Italy. It appears you didn't make it. So, where are you located now?

[shaxper]

No, Italy did not work out. We made the mistake of putting all our trust in a professor who was going to "help us out over there", but when push came to shove, he was wrong about most things and didn't lift a proverbial finger to help. We would have put more planning into it ourselves, but we were organizing a wedding and two receptions at the time. Now we're in Lakewood, OH. We moved here because we had friends in the area and really liked the place. We have abeautiful apartment in a beautiful community that costs far less than one would expect, and we're applying for jobs, but we're at these crossroads, careerwise. Not fun.


Thanks for your help, Harry

[Lord3]

I'm an actor so I don't know if I qualify as a person somebody should take advice from...
My brother, who I might say is very bright and talented, spent several years at various universities. BA, MA, MFA and PhD as of last year. He took several years in between to work after he got his MFA in Dramaturgy. He worked for a theatre company in various capacities as director, publicity and company manager (I believe). He finally decided he wanted a more comfortable life for his family and himself, moved back to our hometown in Southern Illinois and teaches at our old high school. He and his family are very happy with their decision. He is challenged daily, he loves the community, he is fulfilled artistically with his classes and various extra-curricular things. He also considered teaching university, hence the PhD, and hasn't ruled it out altogether but he has no desire to move on yet.
Whenever anybody asks me I always point out "The Road Less Travelled" by Robert Frost. When I feel out of touch with why I decided on my career, I read that poem and I feel enobled.
And you could always change your mind.

[Harry]

Ah, a Westsider! I grew up on the East side. (Okay, anywhere else Aurora would be far southeast, but in Cleveland that's East side--and snow belt.)

[shaxper]

Yes, the road less travelled. Though I have no idea which path is wanting wear. Honestly, I have no ambition to do anything truly unique as a living. All that comes in to the life I plan to take up before and after work. I just desire stability and comfort; no real adventure. I once dreamt of being a writer for television, but I don't work well in creative groups that are driven by deadlines and business people, nor do I expect I'd have much liberty to pick and choose what I wrote for. I think I'd be happier submitting scripts on my own time that would get reworked and destroyed without my being present.

Highschool sounds the most ideal to me, but what I have in my head IS an ideal. I know that there is a genuine trend in parenting these days where parents are taking less responsibility for their kids and kids are becoming far less disciplined and controllable. I used to be a camp counselor and remember the sweetest kids with the best intentions who simply didn't know how or why to listen and behave. I have no desire to be a disciplinarian nor jailor. Really, I want the opportunity to discuss and, hopefully, turn on a few minds. I suspect I had similar motives in starting this board, though everyone who comes here has already been "turned on"


At any rate, thanks for the advice, guys. Once I get a job at a library this year (I've been applying) and talk to some more professors and highschool teachers I know, I may be in a better place to decide. I really like working in libraries, and will not doubt pursue that path for a few years before shifting gears, if at all.

I really appreciate all your help!

[The_Turtle]

heh heh. That could have been my post up there. Same ambitions, same objections, yet half a world between us. Now I have an obscure job at a large publishing house which is not what I'd thougt I'd be all those years ago. I am still thinking about that high school english teacher job, which I will probably end up doing. But right now I'm also busy with my study of philosophy which to be honest doesn't help things a bit. If anything, it makes my career more difficult.

[shaxper]

I've been putting a lot of this in perspective, realizing that, while a satisfying career is important, the most important thing is to live in and enjoy each moment. If philosophy is keeping you happy, you're doing the right thing. When the publishing business becomes too much, you'll make the move. Prepare for the future; enjoy the present.

For the moment, I'm applying for several library positions that I really want. I'll base my decision upon how those go. If I get a job at a library and truly enjoy it, I'll probably work towards an MLS so that I can stay there. If I don't get a job, or don't like one that I get, then it's teaching for me. I'll try for highschool first; see if I like it. If not, then I'll consider college. Though highschool sounds far more attractive at this point.


Best of luck in your quest, The_Turtle!

[The_Turtle]

So what is this new all-time-consuming job of yours, Shax? Me, I'm a teacher now and philosophy is little more than a forgotten hobby. Wouldn't have missed it for the world though.
Anyway, I find myself with weeks of free time on my hands and if the weather stays really dutch I might be making regularer stops at the tavern this summer. It could use a bit of a kick.