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What do you think?
Heres the deal. I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. The same year I graduated, the districts in my area had major budget cuts and laid off several teachers. Needless to say, they weren't hiring any new grads. So, I took a job as a teacher in a child care center. Not my dream job, and not what I went to school for. But, I was thankful to have landed a job with benefits.
Three years later, I'm still at the center. It is a good job, and very "comfortable". The pay doesn't come close to a first year teacher's, but neither do the high stress levels. Another, perk of my job is if you are a parent your child can attend the center for free.
I'm struggling with making a decision to stay at my current job, or try to land a position as teacher. I would like to use my degree, and earn a bit more money. However, DH has mentioned that he would like to start a family within the next year or two. So, what would you do? My first thought is to stay where I am and try to take advantage of the free childcare, but it could take several years before we actually have a baby. And, I may miss out on a great teaching opportunity. I'm curious to what you ladies think, as far as babies and careers. Should I stay, or try to find a position as an Elementary teacher? TIA
Re: What do you think?
Perhaps you should take into account how much child care would cost if you chose to be an elementary teacher. Try to calculate what it would costs for an entire year. Look at that at figure. What do you think about it? Deduct it from the salary you would make as a first yr teacher. Compare what you would make as a teacher (minus the cost of childcare) versus your annual income at current place of employment( with free childcare). Evaluate what you think of those numbers.
Also consider like you said, that the stress level at your current place of employment would be much less than that as a 1st yr teacher. Would the extra money be worth the extra stress?
Would you feel better working in a field related to you bachelor degree?
Consider these factors.
Perhaps talk to your husband more about setting a time frame to start a family (if you are ready for that) as well as discuss your preplexed feelings regarding your career.
I don't see point in getting a degree and staying at job that you didn't major in. I think you should apply to be a teacher now. More money means more savings, for when baby arrives or not.
One reason I didn't return to work after having my child was the pull to be with my child. If I could have gone back to work and known she was down the hall, with people I knew at a professional level, I would have gone back. Also, it was less of a strain with my Hs travel schedule not to work.
As a mother I will tell you having a child is a life changer. Think it through. To me you have the perfect setup working in a center. Also, just because you are a teacher now doesn't mean you can't one day be a director. Directors at centers generally, from my knowledge and my area, make more than teachers do.
You have options, good luck!!
Why can't you do both? Can you not apply for teaching jobs while at your current job and see what happens?
If you have to quit your job to find a teaching job, I'd honestly think twice. I have friends with Elementary/HS Education BA/MA degrees who have been looking for teaching positions constantly since graduating in 2005 and still aren't getting anywhere. From what they can see, no one is getting hired who doesn't have an "in" with the districts unless they're willing to go work in low income inner city areas. Budgets are super tight and my friends who do work in school districts but haven't been tenured go through hell every summer not knowing if they'll have a job for the next year until a week or two before school starts.
So I say stick with what's bringing in money and keep a constant eye on openings and apply for everything you can. Then see what happens and make your decision from there.
We have so much in common from your one post!!! I graduated with my Masters in Education also and the economy tanked and all schools cut budgets = no jobs. I have a job as a Bookkeeper (which is what I did all through Grad School) and it is with wonderful people, good pay, and benefits (which I don't take yet). DH feels the same way he wants me to keep this job until after we have a baby so that I get my maternity leave and don't leave a school in a sticky situation my first year on the job. I had the same theory as you, do I want to put my career on hold and hope we get PG right away? What if it takes years?
We are TTC now, so my plan is to stay here until July. If we are not PG by July I will start applying for teaching jobs every where. At least that way I will have a year under my belt in the classroom and get the maternity leave through school. However, I will not leave my job for a sub position bc the pay is half my salary. I will only take a permanent sub, TA, or classroom teacher position.
If all goes as planned and I am PG in the next few months! I will take ANY teaching job AFTER our first child.
TTC 19 months ~Started RE in March 2014~
DH was not ready for IUI so we waited
~Started acupuncture in May 2014~
~~BFP 7/6/14~~~EDD 3/14/15~~It's a girl!!~~
I have a lot in common with OP also. I have a Masters in Education for School Counseling, but it seems next to impossible to get a job unless you know the right people. And I don't know the right people. So, for now, I work as an instructional assistant at an alternative school. My job is okay, but it's just not what I want to do. And every month when I pay my student loan bill I get a little more sad/mad that I'm not doing what I want to do. So...I feel your pain OP.
I totally see your dilemma, but I think you need to look for a teaching job now. Don't put your career goals on hold for a child you don't have yet. If you don't try to get a teaching job and just stay where you are, you might regret it down the road.