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career or paycheck - how my choice now affects happiness and future?
Hello All,
The past 10 years have left me best set up for a career path in Education but my recent experience teaching has left me with serious doubts about my fit with the profession. I feel like it has overwhelmed or suppressed many of my true passions and talents (re: travel, writing, music & art), which I abandoned long ago because my family advised me that such things were impractical.
Now I'm 28 years old, living at home with my parents and working part-time as a substitute for a local suburban school district (having spent a very stressful and unhealthy first year teaching in another district the year before),and running out of the money I saved up - making it difficult to make car and insurance payments.
I'd love to live downtown and get involved in the art scene once again and be close to my boyfriend, but I'm concerned about working in an urban school district or even working as a teacher again in general - but at this point I'm concerned to take just any kind of job because I don't want it to reflect poorly on my resume in the future by seeming like a step down from where I already am. Also, I'm afraid I would seem overqualified or too old to apply for certain kinds of jobs.
Being a teacher makes the most financial sense (and I really need the money)- I am just having a hard time trying to find a happy medium and fearing that if I don't set out on the correct path for myself now, it will be too late to change course in another 5 years' time.
What do you think I should do?
I feel like I am having an existential crisis in the midst of a financial one.
Best Wishes All,
Wanderlust&Lost
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Want to answer more questions in the Work & School category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Job Searches?
In the teaching field, there is always room for improvement. The teachers that pick a school district and stick around get more options and more money as they work longer. I suggest finding a happy medium instead of jumping onto the art scene, just for financal security. Look into schools in the area you want to live and see if you can get a job. But do you want to live there for an extended period of time? If you see yourself in the next five years having kids and wanting to raise them in the suburbs, I suggest working at a school district in that area where you could send them.
Ever consider teaching art classes or creative writing classes? You could do that within or outside of a school district, and I think you would enjoy that type of work. Art teachers aren't paid as much so you could do that on the side, and if its outside of a school, you won't need the highest qualifications.
My aunt told me to follow my heart and the pay check would come later. If you find something you are passionate about, your skills and hard work will shine. Hopefully employers will see that and want to hire you.
Try to gain experience where you can and maybe going back to school part time will open some doors for you. Really, do what will make you happy. Because money will get you nice things but if you aren't fulfilled from the inside and what you do, its not worth it at all.
Take it from me. I went through a major depressive period because I didn't like where I was. My family is well off and I have nice things and almost everything I want. Still I went to school every day and felt sad. Having designer items, an expensive car, a big house, its all great but won't solve any problems.
Think, what could you imagine doing every day and not getting tired of? (watching tv doesn't count haha)
Good luck,
Abby
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With the way the economy is right now, I can assure you that you aren't the only one struggling.
You could try to go back to school (If you haven't already) you could study and get a degree in something eles. If that is not an option I would suggest you say with where you are now if you are not happy with the school you are currently at you could see if you could relocate eleswhere. However, nobody is too old to apply for a job or any job for that matter. If you are talented in writting, arts, and music you could possibly seek a job in that categlory. If you aren't already maybe you could look into being a music teacher? If you like to write why not try for the local paper as an editor or something along those lines. It is up too you, We can point out ideas for you but again this is in your best interest. If I were in your shoes, I'd keep the job you have now but maybe look and see what eles is out there too.
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