In September i'll be entering my final year of university doing a computer science degree and I need to think about what i'll like to do afterwards. I'm currently working as a software developer for a blue chip company during a placement year. I find what I do ok, but I don't find it fulfills me or is my calling in life.
I'm thinking of becoming a secondary computer science teacher. I took a weeks vacation in January to shadow lessons at my local secondary school. I really enjoyed it, learning about what the pupils did and talking to them about programming and careers in IT. I left the week thinking I would love to be a teacher. However, as time passed i'm starting to have major doubts...i think i'll make a pro and con list:
Pro -
Really rewarding job, varied work compared to my current job, I love working with young people.
Great new curriculum.
Helping kids learn programming.
Able to teach anywhere in the UK and lots of international schools abroad which could be fun to do in my career.
Job security and for my subject, not a huge amount of competition.
Summers off.
Working in a classroom rather than sitting in front of PC all day
I think it'll be a great challenge.
Con-
Terrible pay considering what I could earn in private IT sector...house prices are so expensive these days.
Workload sounds excessive.
Having to take work home.
Opportunity cost of a career in IT.
I'm generally quite a shy person, sometimes get social anxiety, not good at presentations.
Teacher bashing/people think i'm "giving up".
Just wondered if anyone can relate to this. Are there any recent teachers on here who could have pursued a career in industry but chose teaching? Do you regret the decision? I'm stuck at a crossroads, it's such a big choice I need to make. Thanks