Making career decisions

gallygirl

Well done and I'm sure Tootallulah will give you advice on Teach First if needed.

swampduck

Plenty of people end up doing a job which isn't what they intended to do - just because it happens that way! As a teenager I was never going to work in an office and what have I done since I was 17? Worked in an office!! That said I was always going to be a teacher but never made the grades necessary to do that career.
But in my office I'm the one who gets the work experience kids as my colleagues think I have the knack for imparting knowledge and training in a way that they enjoy and can actually work with. (not all office work is boring!!)
So it is possible to live a little bit of your dream - I'm considering being a teaching assistant as I have at least another 13 years of working life and it's good to set yourself challenges.
Just because you reach a certain age does not mean your life is set to be that way until you retire. Things change all the time - you may get married, have kids, become a shop assistant or an astronaut!! At 24 you can do anything you want - if you put your mind to it - if you do nothing then nothing will change and you will always wonder what if? You only get one chance at life - grab it with both hands!!

Swampy

mandragora_2

You only live once, so you should do what you feel you want to do with your life. There's a huge shortage of CS teachers at the moment, so if you get the offer of a PGCE course this year, and enjoy it, go for it if that's really what you want to do. If you enjoy it and are successful, the financial rewards are pretty reasonable there, too, as well as the other things which make it rewarding. Thirty years from now, will you be looking back and saying 'I'm really glad I had the chance to do that; I've been so lucky' - whichever route it is that will take you there is the one you need to go for. I've been a teacher 30 years, and though there's been times it's driven me mad, I don't regret one single moment in the classroom. Mind you, I always was a bossy bint.

Dark_Star

Is there any kind of voluntary work that you could do with this age group?

That might help you decide IF you really want to teach that age range...

You could not pay me enough to teach anyone, any subject of any age, EVER.

A room full of kids of any age is my worst nightmare :eek:

xxdeebeexx

What about taking the job and doing a PGCE through Open University ?
Just a thought


dx

leftieM

Teaching is amazing. Do it!
I worked as a chemist for years after doing a PhD. I never loved it. I always felt I should be doing something else. So I trained as a teacher at the age of 38. I feel lucky to have found my vocation. I could have gone through my whole life without feeling this sense of purpose and fulfilment.

pinkshoes

I always thought about teacing, and did a PGCE last year. I'm just about to finish my first year of teaching.

I worked in engineering for 10 years and felt it was the right time to change.

I do love the teaching, but miss having a decent salary. Not that I have time to have a life and spend money! - I do 50 to even 60 hours a week in term time. It's exhausting and a lot of pressure. I am totally shattered but have enjoyed it.

I've requested part time next year as I want my life back too, and to have some ME time!

I know many teachers looking to leave due to the high stress and having no time to have a life.

Make sure you have researched thoroughly before jumping in. You have a good job in IT, and the longer you work in the "real world" the more you can bring to lessons.

I don't regret going into teaching, but I do miss engineering.

Live first, then teach.

ViolaLass

LondonTop wrote: »

Hi all,

I sent off my PGCE application today, so fingers crossed.

I've looked into Teach First as well, and it seems like a great programme - particularly because you stay within one school so there's much more stability and time to get to know the kids, unlike a PGCE. I love the idea of just getting stuck in and going for it.

I was very glad to be able to leave my first placement at Christmas and 'start again' at a new school at February, with kids who hadn't seen all the awful mistakes I made at the first school. Just a thought...

I've been teaching for two years - by far the hardest and most satisfying job I've ever done. It won't be easy but it does get easier as time goes on.

whodathunkit

xxdeebeexx wrote: »

What about taking the job and doing a PGCE through Open University ?
Just a thought


dx

The OU no longer offers PGCEs.

iabw12

It's funny - I read the first post with many mixed feelings. I've drifted around doing some exiting stuff - I've worked in the USA, Africa and Europe. I've been working in the NHS for 10+years and for the most part loved it. I went to Uni 14 years ago to get a BSc and change my career. I followed that up with an MSc 5 years ago. I'm 59 and have just been made redundant (I've been quite unhappy the past couple of years) so once again I'm at a crossroads. I'm thinking about getting a part time job and getting another MSc. for the next year to see where it takes me. In short I'm dithering once again. You seem to know what you want. Job satisfaction can't be bought and it's so very important. As everyone else has said you're young and believe me in later life, you only regret the things you didn't do. Go where your heart takes you. You're clearly a bright individual with a lot to offer a prospective employer. Heck if you don't like teaching, go back to what you were doing or try something else! It really can be done - I know. I just wish I knew what I wanted to do when I grow up I wish you the very best of luck, truly. Trust your instincts and go from there.