Need Career Advice!

[firsttimemommy]

I have a BA in Teaching and taught middle and elementary school for 7 years before I stayed home with my kids. The thing I loved most about teaching were the kids and the creativity, but there are also many aspects of teaching I am not looking forward to going back to (i.e. sometimes I don't feel very "professional", the curriculum restrictions, mandated testing, non-supportive administration, increasing and often unreasonable or unrealistic demands on an already stressed workload, growing class sizes....to name a few!). I also think I was a bit burnt out when I left and love the thought of a new niche and a new challenge.

I hate math, ANY type of sales and science (well, I love science, but since I'm terrible at math, most science professions won't work! LOL)

I love law, public relations, psychology and sociology.

Most importantly, I would still need something that would give me the flexibility to be there when the kids are out of school - am I crazy to consider anything other than teaching? Or is there something else out there that might work? Law school would be my first choice (I think) but is doing law part-time a pipe dream? :)

Also, am I crazy to try to take on grad school NOW? I have a 3 yr old and a 19 mo old and run the books for my husbands business (takes about 10 hours a week). I have to admit I am terrible if I am stretched in too many directions. But I worry that it will be even harder to do grad school when the kids start school and I HAVE to work full time (teaching).

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated! I'm rambling a bit I know (and I'm sorry) but I just need to lay all my thoughts out and get some feedback from the amazing mommies on this board!

Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[C99]

I am not a lawyer, but based on the many posts I've read from lawyer mommies here and elsewhere and input from a friend whose husband is in his second year of practice, I don't think it's realistic to expect to practice law part-time, at least for the first couple of years out of school. From what I've read, part-time law is more like full-time anything else, due to the whole billable hours thing. More to the point, I don't think law school is something you can do part-time.

What about doing something that synches up teaching with something else? Perhaps online education or training?

[Tracey]

You may want to try looking at the Occupational Outlook Handbook that is put out by the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos057.htm
It lists pretty much every type of occupation known to man and tells you things like what the work entails, educational requirements, demand for the field, median income, etc. Maybe something will pop out at you.

As far as returning to teaching, have you thought something that would take you out of the classroom. Maybe you would like being a school psychologist or guidance counselor better.

Personally, I would never consider law school. I worked at a very prestigious law firm during college and it was a real eye opener. If you are just tossing the idea around, maybe try to get a part-time job as a paralegal first and go from there. As far as the money goes, here where I live there are a few lawyers making seven figures (none of them women), and hundreds making $30,000 a year. The market is really flooded. This may not be true for your area or for certain areas of expertise. I personally know of two lawyers who went back to school to be teachers. I guess the grass is always greener.

[cmo]

Have you ever considered one of the 'specials' in schools? That is, being the librarian, music, art, or P.E. teacher? Those positions all have their own challenges, to be sure, but they also have their benefits, too. You get to see all the ages/grades, you may have more leeway to be a little creative with your curriculum, and you generally don't have to do parent conferences or report cards. And, no matter how bad it gets with a class on any given day, they will be gone in half an hour! :-) Plus you get to keep the school schedule. I hope you find something that works for you!

[tiapam]

You might want to consider getting your certification to be a school library media specialist, or even go all the way and get the master's in library science. I thought my master's program was actually pretty easy (though the programs do vary, and I thought my school was pretty crappy), though I went PT while working FT and I was single with no kids at the time. If you go FT, it usually takes 1.5-2 years. There are some distance learning programs. Here is a link to info on schools:

http://www.ala.org/ala/education/acc...edprograms.htm

Good luck!

-Pam

Charlotte born October 2004

[lizamann]

You could try going back to an independent school (aka "private"). I've taught middle school science in a couple independent schools, and those 18-kid classes are really nice, and only 4 sections! The smartest and most professional people were my colleagues - way more interesting and intellectual than dh's doctor colleagues! No mandated testing, lots of creativity, supportive administration (for the most part!). Wow, sometimes I miss my old job. But I definitely plan to go back, and get free tuition in the process. There are down sides, lower-than-public-school salary being one of them. Doing extra "professional" stuff like writing articles and talking at conferences can be considered an upside or a downside depending. But it really is a great place to teach.

[firsttimemommy]

Thanks everyone! All of your advice helps alot :)

I actually was a specialist for several years - I taught a class called "social skills" -it was like what the counselor teaches in her "rounds" but she just didnt have time so they created this class. Then I taught Gifted and Taltented (pull-out program) and LOOOOVED it, but due to budget cut-backs, the program at most of the districts here in South Texas is being reduced (and probably eventually eliminated). Now of course the curriculum is not being eliminated....it's just being handed to the regular classroom teachers to take care of!!!! Just one more way they are continuing to be overloaded...

If I do go back to teaching, my ultimate goal is to be a specialist again, but of course those jobs are a bit tougher to get. I also know several people who went back to school to get their Library degrees and now can't find a librarian job.

I have a Masters in School Counseling on my list of degrees to consider - and it's in the top three. I also am considering a Masters in Educational Technology. I know for sure I do NOT want to be a Principal though.

But I guess I was also trying to explore non-school careers/jobs as another alternative. I will check out the occupational outlook handbook! I forgot about that!

Thanks again!


Ronda
Proud Mommy to 2 adorable munchkins - 1/03 and 4/04

"Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes........that way you are a mile away and you have their shoes."

[kijip]

Why not teach at a private school? Takes a lot of what you said you did not like about teaching out of the equation.

[R2sweetboys]

I'm not sure how time-consuming it is to be a school social worker but that's one thing that comes to mind. You already have lots of experience working with children. I'd have to imagine though that there must be a burn-out factor just based on the fact that you are dealing with troubled kids on a regular basis.(very saddening I imagine)
When it comes to flexibility, one occupation immediately comes to mind. It's nothing you've mentioned so you may just say "No way!" but what about nursing? You love science and, based on the fact that you already have a college degree, you're likely fine in the math category. :) Of course there is some math involved so it may not be for you. My mom is a nurse and had very flexible hours growing up. She never missed a game or event. Now that we're all grown she has a 7-5 job four days a week that she loves. No more nights,etc. My good friend is also a nurse and works two 12 hour nights a week. Her kids do not have to do daycare and she still gets benefits. I just know that there is a LOT of flexibility in this occupation.(and decent $ too) You can work per diem if you don't need benefits and you get a higher hourly pay. Just a thought! :)
~Leslie

SAHM to...
Ryan 8/14/00
Matthew 2/14/03

[LBW]

How about educational publishing? Your teaching experience would be highly valued and part-time/flex-time options are usually available. However, salaries aren't great, and if you have no publishing experience, you might have to start in an entry-level position.