I am 25 years old and under-going a bit of a career change. After 3 years of working for a business as an advertising executive - i want something different!
Now there is the potential to tease (esp if you know of the miller and armstrong sketch lol) and say that only people who fail in the real world become a teacher - WRONG! It comes down to personal values and what you want out of life.
I have a 2:1 BA degree, am very creative and ambitious, and thought advertising would be the career for me. However, what i did not know, was all that came with entering into the business world. I loved it to start with, but eventually I realised I was not being creative but just doing glorified admin. The demands of the industry resulted in me doing 12/13 hour days on a regular basis (only getting paid for 8), chained to my computer and not knowing what I was doing it all for?!?! For some people this isn't a problem and their ambitions and goals are perhaps stronger - but then again we are all different - and my values in life and morals made me re-think my direction. I just couldn't get behind the company's aims - Where was I adding value to society? and Was my contribution really that valuable?
From mentoring the temps in the office, I realised I loved helping people - it gave me such a sense of satisfaction and a buzz. I'm also very caring and sociable/a real people person - and the people i was surrounded by didn't seem to have the same caring outlook (not that they are bad people but they certainley had a more aggressive way of analysing and treating others). I was no less ambitious than them, but perhaps just in the wrong field.
So, I want to change my career to one where i know I can make a difference. My mum has been a teacher all her life so I have a fair idea of how hard she has worked over the years. And more importantly she enjoys it! We have recntly discussed if teaching would be the direction for me. I volunteer at her school and funnily enough, at the end of the day I am able to turn to her and say 'I really enjoyed that.' I could never say that about my old job.
SO, I'm still in the decision making process, but would like to contribute the pros and cons i have discovered in my research and would be keen to hear what anyone would like to contribute.
PROS
I am able to help others.
As a teacher, you will wear many hats –
a communicator,
a disciplinarian,
a conveyor of information,
an evaluator,
a classroom manager,
a counselor,
a member of many teams and groups,
a decision-maker,
a role-model,
and a surrogate parent.
High job satisfaction
Passing on your knowledge and passion.
10 weeks paid holiday
Wall Displays!
Having a laugh/fun with the kids
The ability to use my own initiative and be creative.
No two days are the same.
You get to dabble in everything.
Probably do less work than the average business employee, and probably smile a lot more as well!!
Paid the same as secondary schools according to the TDA pay scale.
CONS
Sometimes stressful (every job is)
Exhausting.
Paperwork!
You will be involved in -
after school meetings,
committees,
assisting students,
grading homework,
assignments,
projects,
and calling parents - All these demand some sacrifice of your personal time.
Children can get out of hand/ rowdy classes.
Less opportunities to earn extra money, compared to secondary schools.
Nitts!