Wanting a change tornFor as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a teacher. Even when I was in school, my teachers told me that I was destined to be an English teacher. However, I feel that with my accounting degree and background, a math is the subject for me. Why did I get into accounting? I was good at math, and my family told me that accountants have great job security and make good money. I was sold. However, a little over a year into a job as an auditor with a Big 4 accounting firm, I'm starting to think I took the wrong path. Why don't I just switch to accounting? I feel like my family and friends look down on the profession. I have plenty of friends that are teachers and love it, and I think it's a very admirable job. But I guess my parents feel like I put a lot of time and money into a Master's in accounting, and I should use it. Plus, it doesn't make as much money as what I make now. I'm not really one of those people that works for the money. I'd rather have a job that makes me happy than be stuck at one just because I can afford nice things. I'm just not sure what to do. Any advice? I' ve always felt that teaching, along with medicine, is one of those professions you' re called to do, so if you feel the calling, go for it. Regardless of what your parents think, they can' t take the place of your internal happiness. While it may not be the same as an accountant, and although I think they' re underpaid, you can make decent money in education. I know many teachers, and they all feel that the rewards of seeing the fruits of their labor, and knowing they' ve made an impression and a difference, often means more than a bigger paycheck. Who knows, you might find that you end up combining your accounting background in your education career. Some schools are starting to hire business managers, and once you' ve been in the classroom for a while, you might find you want to work in another capacity within education. So, my advice is to follow your heart and do what will make you happy in the long run. Do it while you' re young, before you' re into accounting too long, and get pigeon-holed and end up finding it more difficult to make the transition later on. Well, I brought the idea of me changing careers to my mom. She's probably the person who's opinion I respect the most. She told me "I'm not your keeper anymore; As long as you can live off what you make, anything you choose to do is fine with me." So I told her about my aspirations to be a teacher and she told me to go for it. I was actually quite surprised, but it got me even more excited that this is something that could actually happen. So I've been doing a little preliminary research. It's hard right now since this is a busy time at work so I was hoping someone on here could help. I need some suggestions on what is the best, fastest, etc way to become certified and find a teaching job. I would love to teach math, and possibly and intro to accounting course. I took one in high school and loved it. I would love to stick around the Austin area. If anyone has any ideas/suggestions, please let me know! You might want to look into some programs that allow you to start teaching right away, and they will subsidize your education while you take the necessary master' s degree courses in education. They place you in some of the more "difficult" schools, though-- so it' s a trade-off. I think Teach for America does this, and there is a program in NY state as well--I forget the name. Seriously, are you 12? You' ve got a Master' s degree so chances are that you' re at least 24 and you' ve worked a year so that puts you at least 25. While respect for your parents is a good thing, it is time to make your own decisions and live your own life. If you want to be a teacher, go be a teacher. Check the website for every school district near you and/or call them up. Most schools have programs for people with degrees that want to be teachers and don' t have credentials. It is also possible that you could teach both English and Math or something else as well depending on grade level, needs of the school district, etc. My aunt was an Art Teacher who taught English, Film and (astounding enough to my mother who had to show her literally how to thread a needle) Sewing at various points. You could start with substitute teacher to see if you really want to do this or not. Since you have a Masters, you may also find positions at the Community College level if you want to teach mostly young adults. You could be teaching Math, Accounting and a number of related courses. Good for you! This is about listening to your calling. My advice is to:
Exciting. Make your plan! | |
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