Should I do a PGCE if the main reason is the funding??

Im really on the fence about if i want/should do a PGCE
im just finishing my degree in chemistry and have had no idea what i want to do with my life. (plan B has sort of always been teacher but never really known what plan A is)
Ive applied and been offered a PGCE but im not sure its actually what i want to do, and i fear the main motivation for wanting to do it is the bursary available.
I know its a lot of work and can be very demanding, and im worried if my hearts not in it, it will be a bit of a waste of time. However, i dont know what i would do otherwise.
Any Advice??

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 1

MrsSFoodTech

My advice is always, unless you WANT to be a teacher then don't do it. Our kids need people who are not only passionate about their subject but about them too - so many go into it for the bursary only to not bother even taking up a post afterwards or regretting it.

It can be a thankless, demoralising and hard career - especially the training year.

If you are fresh out of uni (so not a career changer) then I recommend exploring so many options first. Do a master's, go for a graduate role, travel, live a little. Alternatively, give supply/TA-ing a try to be sure you actually want to teach (it can be a real eye-opener) and apply next year if it turns out you really do want to do it.

Reply 2

whitney2001

Original post

by grace_1812

think about it.
try gaining experience of working in schools first e.g. cover supervisor roles would help massively as you are managing classroom behaviour.
you have a degree in chemistry, which sounds to me you ARE passionate about your subject.

Reply 3

Mohammed_2000

Don’t do something that your heart is not into. If it’s for financial intentions or purposes think again. The upcoming generation of kids and children would want teachers who are not only knowledgeable and experienced within their field of study but also passionate about teaching to them.

Personally take a gap year out and explore your options into other careers. And what route is best tailored and suited for you and is easily attainable.

I stick by the motto “With hard-work and effort the reward will pay off” build your way up steadily and slowly. Then you’ll see the financial benefits, promotional even come through.

Reply 4

Get into Teaching

I think a teaching internship would be very helpful to you. I agree with the comments above that teaching is a challenging (though highly rewarding) job which requires people who really want to be there and are committed to their subject and pupils. At the end of the day, it is the best life chance children get, a high quality education and so we need committed teachers who take that responsibility seriously. A teaching internship lasts for 3 weeks and pays £425 per week. You can discover whether you enjoy teaching by doing an internship. If you don't feel passion for it then you will know. Find out more about internships here:

https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/train-to-be-a-teacher/teaching-internships?gad_campaignid=22434217570&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WOvqPiMQeNlNmgpVsX97uWhS3U&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5paZm52ojQMVQ5lQBh2t3hu5EAAYAiAAEgJnaPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Reply 5

deimanteram

One of my friends did this, she went into teaching more for the lifestyle rather than the job (the job she originally wanted required weekend work and on calls), she's finishing her training year now and she absolutely LOVED it! I am finishing my masters now in biology and going into teaching next, if i decide i don't enjoy it as much as i think i will that's ok!