NWR: should i go back to school? *teachers*

Here is my dilemma, I currently hold my BS in Business Administration. The degree is very vague and there is little you can do with it other than administrative type work. Hence, I am a senior admin. assistant at a very large financial firm in manhattan. I am very unhappy with my job. The work is minimal and tedious and I get no fulfillment from it at all. No to mention, I am not very fond of the people I work with either.
Since FH and I have started talking about marriage, weddings and our future together we both thought it would be great if I could somehow work in a school.
We have a lot of friends who are teachers and the benefits of the job are beyond plentiful. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment you feel on a day to day basis. (sorry i dont feel like ive accomplished much when I answer someone elses phone, schedule their meeting or open their mail).
I grew up with a stay at home mom. and i would LOVE to be able to do that. But from a financial stand point, unfortunately this is not an option.
So, I have been considering going back to school for teaching. But I am still very intimidated by it. I wonder if I would be any good as a teacher. Plus I'm 27... am I really going to be able to do this plus get married and possibly have kids??? I'm so stressed and frustrated. I feel like I have completely wasted my time in my undergrad program. I feel totally stuck.
Does anyone know of any jobs that would put me in a school but not neccessarily in a classroom?
I have researched 'mommy friendly' careers and the 2 big ones are teacher or nurse. I definitely COULD NOT handle nursing.

Sorry this is so long, if you made it this far.. thanks for listening!!

I just graduated with a teaching degree and you are right. The benefits are wonderful. PLENTY of vacation time, home by 3, etc. Just keep in mind: If you go for secondary education, you will have to get up at 5am the latest. Also, the work doesn't stop when you leave. There are papers to grade, lesson plans to make, etc. It can be very stressful. However, it is truly rewarding.

I just wanted to write to let you know that I have found it very hard to get a job in this economy. Hopefully, when you would get out of school, it will be better. Also, I have a degree in English which is much more common than say Science or Math. You would definitely have better luck going into one of those subjects.

I have a teaching degree and I kind of feel like I am in the same boat as you only because there arn't any teaching jobs (I'm currently in a administrative assistant position).

Sorry this is so long. I just thought I would give you my honest opinion. Best of luck in whatever decision you make.

Teaching is certainly a great job to have for when you have children. I changed careers a few years ago when I was 24. I used to work for a PR firm, which is very demanding and not very rewarding for me personally. I would work so late without overtime and would never get anything in return. It was terrible. I always knew I wanted to teach but I wanted to do the corporate world for a little while. So thats what I did.

My undergrad is in communications so while I was working full time, I went to school full time (this is 9 credits at the grad school I went to). I did 5 of my classes online so i was able to work and go to school at the same time. Def. look into this! It was a lot but I made it work. I also took Sunday classes which some grad schools do offer. When I was 1/2 way through my masters (18 credits), I was able to apply for an internship certificate in NYS which by the way you can work as a full time teacher on. It is good for 2 years. I luckily found a job the summer that I received the certificate. My 1st year of teaching, I finished my masters.

You will have to do observation hours as a part of some of your classes and we are talking like several hundred hours. So it can be hard to balance if you habe to work too. Luckily I was able to do all my hours after I was already in the classroom. Some grad schools will vary on this issue so make sure you ask when looking into programs at what point you need to do all your hours.

I would say maybe try to observe in a friends classroom in early Sept. to see if this is something you could see yourself doing and its something you really want. But it seems like it is perfect for what you might be looking for. It is a wonderful thing to be home early and have summers off! I will say though that the job is stressful and the demands they put on teachers can be very overwhelming. I am going into my 3rd year and it hasn't gotten any easier because they keep changing things! So just make sure its what you want before you start investing all this time and money into it.

Also, maybe you can look into becoming a school secretary. They certainly have some of the added benefits that teachers have as far as schedules. It might be something looking into that you can do while your pursue a teaching degree. There are different types of secretaries in schools. We have 3 in the main office and they each do different things like one is the payroll secretary and handles all the budgeting.

Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions. I am happy to help!

So teaching is absolutely a wonderful profession. No doubt about it. I just wanted to comment on a couple things and I am in no way trying to deter you from going back to school to become a teacher. It always makes me a little nervous when people talk about going into teaching because of the vacation time and schedule. You are right, the vacations are great and it's nice to be home at a reasonable hour. When people talk about teaching it is rare that they comment on the fact that you are never really done. The amount of work and preparation that takes place at home is unreal, even when you are NOT a first year teacher. I love my job, but I rarely feel like I am 'off.' I also work 2 other jobs to keep myself afloat to pay off my stupid school loans so the early schedule doesn't really give me the time youw ould think that it should. This is not a 'pity party' for me at all because I am quite happy with my job and life, I just wanted to point out some of the thigns the other girls have said about just how difficult teaching is. Also, at this time, finding teaching jobs is very difficult as SO many teachers have been excessed as is. You mentioned a job that could put you in the classroom without going back to school...have you thought about looking into being a TA? I think you need some certification courses but you wouldn't need an education degree.

Again, I hope this post didn't come off as mean, or negative, and I am no way trying to insinuate that you would be this way, but I hate when people become teachers because of the 'Easy' schedule and job. In my opinion you have to really want to become a teacher because of the work itself otherwise you will be very unhappy. GOod luck hun!

to be quite honest, if i didnt have to work.. i wouldnt. so yes the teachers schedule is a big plus for me. maybe thats a silly reason for wanting to be a teacher (it is certainly not my ONLY reason). but if i stay where i am when i have children i will NEVER see them. leaving the house at 7am and getting home at 7pm doesnt really give you much family time. i even had someone say to me 'yea it *****, i wake up dress the baby and then the next time i see her im giving her her last bottle for the day and i put her to sleep'. i dont want this to be my life.
then factor in the fact that working in the finance world right now isnt very stable. for the last year i have been fearing coming to work one day and finding out its my last day. trust me i have seen a lot of people walk out of the office just totally stunned that they just got laid off. its awful.
a big part of the reason i am considering a career change is b/c like i said i completely unfulfilled.
I want to do something where I am helping people. and where i have an actual purpose. teaching just seemed like the most lucrative choice. but i am open to other things.
a friend of mine who is a school psychologist suggested looking into being a social worker.
the problem with career changing is you usually have to take some sort of a pay cut.

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

So teaching is absolutely a wonderful profession. No doubt about it. I just wanted to comment on a couple things and I am in no way trying to deter you from going back to school to become a teacher. It always makes me a little nervous when people talk about going into teaching because of the vacation time and schedule. You are right, the vacations are great and it's nice to be home at a reasonable hour. When people talk about teaching it is rare that they comment on the fact that you are never really done. The amount of work and preparation that takes place at home is unreal, even when you are NOT a first year teacher. I love my job, but I rarely feel like I am 'off.' I also work 2 other jobs to keep myself afloat to pay off my stupid school loans so the early schedule doesn't really give me the time youw ould think that it should. This is not a 'pity party' for me at all because I am quite happy with my job and life, I just wanted to point out some of the thigns the other girls have said about just how difficult teaching is. Also, at this time, finding teaching jobs is very difficult as SO many teachers have been excessed as is. You mentioned a job that could put you in the classroom without going back to school...have you thought about looking into being a TA? I think you need some certification courses but you wouldn't need an education degree.

Again, I hope this post didn't come off as mean, or negative, and I am no way trying to insinuate that you would be this way, but I hate when people become teachers because of the 'Easy' schedule and job. In my opinion you have to really want to become a teacher because of the work itself otherwise you will be very unhappy. GOod luck hun!

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I agree with Lauren. I have been teaching on both LI and then upstate NY for a total of 7 years & I was just excessed this June & still have no work/job for Sept. It made it very difficult financially for our wedding. I am not even getting calls for interviews - b/c there is not much available unless you are a HS teacher w/certification in a content area. I'm certified in Elem Ed, Special Ed & Literacy & STILL cannot find a job...its very scary. So before you decide to career change just make sure you are able to secure a job when you are finished with your schooling. Best of luck whatever you decide!

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

So teaching is absolutely a wonderful profession. No doubt about it. I just wanted to comment on a couple things and I am in no way trying to deter you from going back to school to become a teacher. It always makes me a little nervous when people talk about going into teaching because of the vacation time and schedule. You are right, the vacations are great and it's nice to be home at a reasonable hour. When people talk about teaching it is rare that they comment on the fact that you are never really done. The amount of work and preparation that takes place at home is unreal, even when you are NOT a first year teacher. I love my job, but I rarely feel like I am 'off.' I also work 2 other jobs to keep myself afloat to pay off my stupid school loans so the early schedule doesn't really give me the time youw ould think that it should. This is not a 'pity party' for me at all because I am quite happy with my job and life, I just wanted to point out some of the thigns the other girls have said about just how difficult teaching is. Also, at this time, finding teaching jobs is very difficult as SO many teachers have been excessed as is. You mentioned a job that could put you in the classroom without going back to school...have you thought about looking into being a TA? I think you need some certification courses but you wouldn't need an education degree.

Again, I hope this post didn't come off as mean, or negative, and I am no way trying to insinuate that you would be this way, but I hate when people become teachers because of the 'Easy' schedule and job. In my opinion you have to really want to become a teacher because of the work itself otherwise you will be very unhappy. GOod luck hun!

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ITA... I have been a teacher of children with autism for 8 years working in private schools and at home. I got 2 interviews this year!! That was it. I leave for work at 7am... I get home at 9pm and then still have to do paperwork. I do full time work now in childrens home but I do not get off summers or weekends most of the time. Getting a teaching job can be very fufilling but it is hard to get into a district. I am not trying to deter you in anyway. I love what I do and wouldn't change my job if could. It is just a lot of hard work.

honestly, if you are looking to go for teaching I would highly discourage against it right now because of the job market. it may be better in a couple years when you are done(hopefully!) but there are thousands of people looking for teaching jobs right now that i do not think it will be easy to get a job for a long time. it depends on how much money you need to make... if you would be content subbing or being a teachers assistand you may be able to find work but if you need a real salary, tenure track, it is going to be a LONG time and by that point you will be looking to have kids and wont have a steady job. FH and I are both in the field and i know this will effect us having to wait longer to have kids.

i may be pessimistic about it(sorry!) but i wish someone had told me really how difficult the job situation is. especially with lay off, it makes it even more difficult.

I currently teach AIS so I have a job but its still not the same money as a classroom position, and there are none of those to come by. i sent out about 250 resumes for this school year, and had no real bites, and i have 3 years of experience now. the only interviews ive had is where ive had connections. its very frusterating. supposedly math and science are easier to get jobs in, so thats something to consider. but i would try to think of another field but that is just my opinion, good luck!

to add a brighter note- it is a fabulous job for a mom and is very rewarding!

so here's my take on everything, and i think it goes along with what a lot of the girls have said

as a teacher, you do get a lot of vacations which is wonderful..but realize that your work doesnt end..you go to work, you have extra help, you do lessons, you grade papers..i get up and go to work at 7, very often dont come home til 330/4, and then grade papers and write lessons..fh works from 8-530 but comes home and doesent have to think about work any more..

the pay can also be very good after awhile, and your benefits are good

however, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to get a job right now

im not kidding when i say ive put in over 200 applications, and i still dont have a job..and i have a master's degree and an internship that i completed

so just make sure its something you REALLY want to do

I think you should go for it! You make valid points and you are not just looking to become a teacher so that you can have your summers off. Although there may be limited jobs right now, that is the case for almost every field out there! The economy is bad...jobs are limited, but we cannot be scared to go for what we want!

I am going to start school to become a Secondary Math teacher in the Spring or next Fall. When I went to undergrad my mom, my sister, all my aunts (who are teachers) said, you should go for education, but I didn't listen, I wanted to be a big career woman in the Marketing world. Well here I am 4 years later and I am miserable. I am not fulfilled, I am overworked, and underpaid. As I started planning the wedding and thinking about my future...I realized that being a teacher is the right career for me. I have the same concerns as you, I don't want to have children and then never see them. I work very long hours right now and while teachers also have lots of work, they definitely don't have to stay in the office until 10pm, like I do right now. I am fully prepared to put in the hard work and preparation and all, but I definitely think it is a better career choice as a mom.

Best of luck to you!!!!

I think you should follow your heart and your gut feeling. My sister was in a similar situation as you; she didn't like her job and decided (at 30 years old) to go back to school for teaching. She just graduated, went on only three interviews and got a job as a special ed. teacher in a public school (she didn't have any connections, either). It's definitely not impossible. If it is meant to be, it will be!

Best of luck to you

I am here with my two cents. I am a guidance counslor not a teacher but, worked in a school last year that closed its doors in June and saw every single teacher in a K-12 setting look for a job. Yes this was a private school but, shcools are closing.

I was lucky enough to find a job for this year after sending out about 1,000 resumes (I am not inflating this number) but, the other guidance counselor who sent out the same amount of resumes is unemployed. Math and Science teachers were the first people to find jobs but, many teachers at the school are unemployed and have experience.

I also agree with the others that the hours are endless, even as a guidance counselor, Im our my door by 630 and not home until around 4 (I hope still this year) then there is always something else, or a night event to go back to.

I would encourage you to be realistic when considering becoming a teacher, understand it may take a while to find a job, you may take a big pay cut (especially if you teach at a private school) and paying for more education is not cheap. I would look into the teaching fellows program for nyc.

School counseling is also an option to work in a school not as a teacher but, it is extreamly hard to find a job. If you have any questions feel free to FM me. I also do a lot of college advising as a guidance counselor so if you need help with any grad program stuff FM me for that too.

ok here's my story:

All my life everyone has told me to be a teacher. I am very shy and don't like talking in front of crowds and stuff but I have always been great with kids. So I graduate high school, go to Nassau (all i could afford b/c financial aid scre*ed me- but great school I must say), take 4 years off b/c I can't make up my mind nor do i have money to waste. So then I go to SUNY Old Westbury and enroll in childhood ed but was told none of my credits transfer and I have to start from scratch. Nonetheless I had gone there on my bday, leave in tears and finally enroll in American Studies program. Midway thru the first semester I found out the lady I met with told so many students the wrong info she was fired about 3 weeks after I met with her (thanks for the phone call by the way

After I graduate in May 2007 I enrolled at Hofstra for my masters but it was too itimidating. I felt like I was so stupid (graduated with 3.93 GPA) and all they do is say 'here, do this'. I lasted a week. I was the only one who did not know how to do a lesson plan. I will say I had 2 teahcres that seemed awesome but I wasn't ready yet. I lacked confidence in myself and doubted that I was capable of doing the job. It wasn't the kids I was afraid of, but being judged by the adults.

So after a year I was fortunate to know people who know people and submitted my application to be a teaching assistant. This was my opportunity to find out if I was truly meant to be a teacher. This was the experience I needed. I was hired on the spot and next week I start my 2nd year as a 6th grade resource room.inclusions T.A. It was during my work in the school that I realized this is what I was meant to do. The feeling you get helping a kid understand something that they have been struggling with for a long time is the best feeling. I bonded with so many kids and will miss them as they go to 7th grade next week.


During this time I taught classes, assisted teachers,
observed by administration(even pulling a lesson out of my a** when I was put on the spot_couldn't believe I did that) and did so much more than I ever thought i was capable of. I luckily was placed with a great group of teachers who were so willing to show me the ropes. I walked in not knowing my a** from my elbow and walked out having taught an entire class!!!!

Anyway, I just signed up for my master's class at Touro in Bayshore. Thanks to all who gave me info on the school. I started by taking one online class just to get back into the rhythm of things especially trying to plan a wedding. It is the fastest, most straight forward school and the least expensive. I will be dual certified in elementary grade 1-6 and special ed when I am done. We plan on moving out of state after I finish and it will be easier to transfer a NYS license. We plan on moving to Texas (Austin/San Antonio) and they are always looking for teachers. They put up more schools in a year than I ever heard of. I will be 30 in December and it took me 12 years to see what others saw all along. But I am getting it done, for the better in the long run.

So (sorry for the rant) if that is what u want to do and that makes life easier and more fulfilling for you especially when u have a family I say go for it. You can do it and yes the job market is tough but hopefully luck will be on your side or you can seek a job in a different state if u so choose. Things will hopefully change but if thats what will make u happy go for it...

Try looking for a job as a T.A. It does not pay well but u get your foot in the door, administration/staff know you and it will be easier when u do have that piece of paper... Good Luck to you!!!!!Thanks for reading my novel!

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Posted by MrsDrinkh20

So teaching is absolutely a wonderful profession. No doubt about it. I just wanted to comment on a couple things and I am in no way trying to deter you from going back to school to become a teacher. It always makes me a little nervous when people talk about going into teaching because of the vacation time and schedule. You are right, the vacations are great and it's nice to be home at a reasonable hour. When people talk about teaching it is rare that they comment on the fact that you are never really done. The amount of work and preparation that takes place at home is unreal, even when you are NOT a first year teacher. I love my job, but I rarely feel like I am 'off.' I also work 2 other jobs to keep myself afloat to pay off my stupid school loans so the early schedule doesn't really give me the time youw ould think that it should. This is not a 'pity party' for me at all because I am quite happy with my job and life, I just wanted to point out some of the thigns the other girls have said about just how difficult teaching is. Also, at this time, finding teaching jobs is very difficult as SO many teachers have been excessed as is. You mentioned a job that could put you in the classroom without going back to school...have you thought about looking into being a TA? I think you need some certification courses but you wouldn't need an education degree.

Again, I hope this post didn't come off as mean, or negative, and I am no way trying to insinuate that you would be this way, but I hate when people become teachers because of the 'Easy' schedule and job. In my opinion you have to really want to become a teacher because of the work itself otherwise you will be very unhappy. GOod luck hun!

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I do agree with this statement. A lot of people I talk to think teaching ends at 3:00 and you don't have to do anything else. I can't tell you the hours I spend doing work at home - whether it is doing lesson plans, grading tests/projects, cutting (i teach 2nd grade, so sometimes things need to be cut out for them), or 3 times a year - report cards.

not to discourage you, getting a job is hard, especially in the elementary field. i spent 3 years as a TA, 2 years as a sub, 1 year with my own room in the south bronx, then last year i finally landed a job out here on LI. I was very excited this year that I did not have to look for a job.

It's a great job and seeing the children grow and learn throughout the year is wonderful. I actually can't wait to see my kids from last year and meet my new class.