Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post

Danijam · 01-30-2015, 10:42 PM

I feel strongly on this topic as I have spent a lot of years kicking myself for not getting into teaching after high school when it was a four-year degree program.

In my late 20s I worked closely with teachers and administrators in a school division as a contracted support staff member. That's probably where I first began to see the error of my ways. I had to negotiate my own contracts (which were pretty crappy - but you take what you have to when you are operating solo and the threat to strike would be laughable) and my work and productivity were held to a different standard than those represented by the union. That was okay, the work itself was rewarding but it just began to illustrate to me that I'd chosen the wrong degree program. Once I had kids I was again reminded just how perfect a teaching career is for a great lifestyle. And let's face it - over time it becomes obvious that the best careers are the ones that support the best lifestyles and ability to spend quality time with family.

But as Sliver said you get to a point where the bigger mistake would be losing momentum on the path you've chosen by following a dream you're 20 years behind on. It would be like deciding to be a rock star at 40.... It's unrealistic not to consider the correlation between opportunity and age.

So all this said, I'm a huge advocate for teaching as a career choice for the young. Every babysitter I get, student I come across and even with my own children, I make my case for why teaching in Canada is the best job you can get if you weigh lifestyle, salary, security and having an impactful job. There are some pieces of insight you can only get with time and observation. I wish someone with the breadth of experience to know what I know now had given me this same advice 25 years ago.

So yes, OP, I think if you should do it. In fact, I truly believe that if you don't make the switch now, you'll one day wish you had. Good luck!

01-30-2015, 10:42 PM	#25
Danijam Backup Goalie Join Date: Jun 2009 Exp:	I feel strongly on this topic as I have spent a lot of years kicking myself for not getting into teaching after high school when it was a four-year degree program. In my late 20s I worked closely with teachers and administrators in a school division as a contracted support staff member. That's probably where I first began to see the error of my ways. I had to negotiate my own contracts (which were pretty crappy - but you take what you have to when you are operating solo and the threat to strike would be laughable) and my work and productivity were held to a different standard than those represented by the union. That was okay, the work itself was rewarding but it just began to illustrate to me that I'd chosen the wrong degree program. Once I had kids I was again reminded just how perfect a teaching career is for a great lifestyle. And let's face it - over time it becomes obvious that the best careers are the ones that support the best lifestyles and ability to spend quality time with family. But as Sliver said you get to a point where the bigger mistake would be losing momentum on the path you've chosen by following a dream you're 20 years behind on. It would be like deciding to be a rock star at 40.... It's unrealistic not to consider the correlation between opportunity and age. So all this said, I'm a huge advocate for teaching as a career choice for the young. Every babysitter I get, student I come across and even with my own children, I make my case for why teaching in Canada is the best job you can get if you weigh lifestyle, salary, security and having an impactful job. There are some pieces of insight you can only get with time and observation. I wish someone with the breadth of experience to know what I know now had given me this same advice 25 years ago. So yes, OP, I think if you should do it. In fact, I truly believe that if you don't make the switch now, you'll one day wish you had. Good luck!