Defining Myself
I haven’t suffered the problems of finding career goals like many of my generation, I have known what my goals are for years, but as I approach my graduation date, I find myself wondering where I am going to work, and how I am going to achieve those goals.
My career goals are simple: work as a high school or middle school biology teacher for 5 years, get a PhD in education and teach undergraduate education courses at a college or university of higher education. Seems simple enough, doesn’t it? In theory yes, but in practice not really. The problem occurs when you throw in my love of design, and lack of money. I can make a lot more money (and in turn pay off my student debt) a lot faster in the design world than I can as a classroom teacher. My experience working as webmaster for Northland College has been so good, that I really want to continue, for at least a little while, working to further educational institutions by building higher quality websites for them. This doesn’t really get me anywhere closer to my goal though, does it? Enter tuition reimbursement.
With tuition waivers, I suppose I could take a job in higher ed (Jeff’s old position peaked my interest, despite the Kansas part) and get this design bug out of my system while I continue toward a masters program. The K-State site seems like it could really use a bit of a face lift, and sense or purpose. Could this type of job be my ticket to the stars? I worry that if I don’t enter teaching right away, that my drive to be an educator may go away and I won’t be able to pursue my life goal. I know this thinking is entirely ludicrous, but everyone seems to warn me against entering another field for a couple years.
How did you determine what to do at a crossroads in your life? Any advice for me?
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April 8th, 2006 at 3:51 pm §
I think, that if you really want to be a biology teacher and go further in that education, than taking time off and doing design work first won’t take your drive away to do that. And if you find that you don’t want to do that anymore, because you enjoy doing design and working in that field, then maybe that’s what you’re suppose to do - design. But I think that you’ve been working too hard to become a Biology educator that your aspirations won’t just disappear on you. I believe you’d be able to do both.
I guess that’s just my two cents. I know that’s pretty disjointed, so if you don’t understand what I’m trying to say, come find me and I’ll explain it to you.
April 8th, 2006 at 5:41 pm §
Thanks. I think you are right about that, but is it really the best way to get to my goal? Sometimes taking the path that meanders is the best way to go, but I just don’t know if this is the time to do that or not.
April 8th, 2006 at 5:41 pm §
When I hit that crossroad, I went both ways. I still don’t know if this is waht I want to do for the long haul, but I have to work somewhere for now, and it gets the bills paid. What I really want is to ge back into an educationaly environment, learning, working for a school, and be in the position to further my own education if I choose to do so.
I have to agree with Nikki whn she says that your desire to teach won’t fade if you do design for a while. If i is truly what you want and were meant for, the the desire will always be there. Besides, once you start making money, and we both start saving, we can make regular trips to Montana to scout for the perfect place to set up shop, because as we both know, Montana is the place to go. Yeah outdoors!
April 8th, 2006 at 5:42 pm §
On a side note, the K-State site could definitely use your help.
April 8th, 2006 at 5:44 pm §
Brent: Good point. I never though I would look at Kansas before, but the position seems really nice. I really hope some place in Montana gets a good teaching position open, or it would be nice if the University of Montana would have a design position open.
K-State has some really nice qualities to the site, but they do need a bit of a refresh on the face there. Being a state college though, it is not as important as one would think.
April 9th, 2006 at 1:14 pm §
I think, Dan, that the only thing to do is take a chance. I agree with Brent. The K-State site needs Dan Bowling.
April 11th, 2006 at 11:19 pm §
I agree with everyones’ advice. I may be reiterating their points, but…
You worry too much. There are people that spend their entire lives trying to define themselves. Heck, I may be one of them, but as Nicholas Cage in “National Treausre” said, “Thomas Edison found 2001 ways how not to make a light bulb.” So you may find 2001 ways how you prefer not to live your life. Try pursing one interest, and if it is not fulfilling, try your next interest. Planning never hurts. However, you can plan and prepare your entire life and never end up where you planned to be. Oh, one other thing. I think K-State would be lucky to have you, but I must say I am biased. Montana is the place to be! Good Luck
April 23rd, 2006 at 2:13 pm §
Jenny: Saying I worry too much is a big statement coming from you. I thinks you are right though, I can plan, but planning can really never let you know how things can, or should, work out.
I decided not to apply to the K-State position, and now I am going full steam to a teaching position… if, for some reason, I can’t find a good job doing that, I can always fall back on design. Web design isn’t on a calendar like public schools are.
Thanks for the comments.
May 22nd, 2006 at 7:08 am §
Dan, I agree with Nikki and Brent, teaching can wait if you really wish to go into design. Also Kansas is not as bad as people really think it is. I lived there for 2 years for college an it really isn’t as bad as people think it is. Yes they have tornado’s but I never experienced one in two years. Don’t worry about what state a job is in. Find a job that you will enjoy doing and do not pay attention to the minor details such as where it is. If you really enjoy design then the place really wouldn’t matter.