How can you be sure a career is right for you?

Question

How can you be sure a career is right for you?

Answer 1

We all have doubts about our abilities and feeling a little overwhelmed when entering a new job or career. I wouldn't put off student teaching at all. The only way to find out if this is the right career choice, and, more importantly, find out about yourself, is to give it a whirl immediately. Any delay will only cause more agonizing and uncertainty. If you find you don't like it, work through it while working towards another career.

I was a degreed computer professional a # of yrs. ago. I found out very quickly I hated sitting in an office cubicle behind a computer all day. I fought through it while studying for a career change. Now I work as a high- skilled precision CNC machinist for a small company, and I love my job. Sure, I may have become very wealthy when the internet exploded on the scene, but I knew I was going to be absolutely miserable. To me, there is more to peace of mind than just a fat pocketbook.

Additionally, it is no small fact that people these days and well into the future will make a # of job moves and career changes. Its all a part of maturing as an individual, learning from life, and finding what makes you happy and not what makes you fat in the bank account.

Don't be concerned about your misgivings. We all have them. Just remember, the path you have chosen will always have exit ramps.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Well if your disappointed with what you've seen. It would be an even better reason to do it. You can change that and at least your students would have it different.

Answer 3

By doing what you love...and getting paid!

Answer 4

Sorry to say but it’s hard to say if this job would be the right fit for you. Give it a try see if you like it. You can do other things with your life. You are still young. If you worried about being a "statistic," don't! It’s hard to realize exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life without much life experience.



You will have a college degree and that will open a lot of doors that you never imagined for you. If you want to teach, and you find elementary education is not right for you. Many countries (Japan, South Korea, and Qatar ect) pay very well for English teachers, with a college degree in any subject. Something like that would give you the chance to see parts of the world you may never get another chance to, and give you some more time to figure out what your exactly passion is.

Answer 5

Many companies offer what is called a "realisitic job preview." A prospective employee will spend a day or two in the job, and both the applicant and the employer will decide if the job is a good match for both parties. In this role, the employer will see if the applicant has some basic skills that are required for the job. The employer doesn't expect you to know how to do the job, just to guage if you can develop into it. That is what student-teaching is. You will get the chance to actually apply what you have learned within the curriculum. If you weren't afraid, then that would mean you did not care if you were a failure.



My advice would be to NOT put off student-teaching. If the career is right for you or not, the sooner you know the better. In the meantime, plan on attending graduate school at night and over the summer. This will line you up for administrative jobs and maybe for academia. I went to graduate school at night, and now I also teach college courses in addition to my full-time job, and I find educating older, more motivated students to be extremely rewarding.

Answer 6

I would have to assess your life leading up to this point so we could, in Stephen Covey's words, "[G]et to the emotional root of your feelings of self-doubt." For now, I will give you the following websites:



http://www.mylifecoach.com/ - Offers an online of the Strong Interest Inventory. The 25-minute assessment yields a synthesis of your interests and an annotated list of suitable careers.



http://www.careervoyages.gov/careerchangers-main.cfm - Another career list generator based on your interests.



When you had first decided that you wanted to be a teacher, what grade did you see yourself teaching? Do you think that if you did have field experience in the desired grade, you would feel better prepared? What do you think your self-doubt is rooted in and for how long have you harbored such feelings towards your childhood career?



I would like to understand your situation better so I can help you in any way I can. Email me at [e-mail] sometime.

Answer 7

i think maybe u are just scared about trying something new...if it is really what u want give it a chance. statistics arent a big deal we all fit into one somewhere...besides its better to know thats not what you want in just 2 years rather than 10 years

Answer 8

I know that most individuals that go into the working world know very little from their secondary education. I'm a sophomore in college, but I know for sure that what college is meant to do is to teach you how to think a certain analytical way, not necessarily how to teach kids. This is something that you will learn over time and master over years. If you're not sure it is the grade level you want, try to find a different one, if you have doubts about your abilities .. don't. Pretty much anyone can do anything (I'm studying to be a doctor). If you're not sure that it's what you want to do, maybe it would be best for you to quit in 2 years. But you won't find out if you like it and if you're good at it until you try. By the way, there are plenty of people who decide after medical school that they want to be lawyers. They go back to school and become lawyers. If it's not for you, go back and train for something that is. Good luck, i'll be in your shows in 2 years.

Answer 9

There's only one way to find out, my dear, and that's to give it a try.

There's nothing wrong with trying your hand at a career and then wanting something different later on. That's the beauty of freedom of choice.

Don't feel that because you invested all of that time in your studies that you HAVE to do that career.



Do whatever job will make you happy until the day you decide to retire.

Never settle.

Answer 10

"The way you see the problem IS the problem." Stephen R. Covey, to borrow one of MJ23 4Life's sources, has certainly given any reader of his book something to mull over, even if the aforementioned quote is the only thing that they take away from his writings. Perception. It seems obvious, but it really is something that goes overlooked constantly – human beings are blest (or cursed) with the ability to rationalize anything. While your current feelings are very likely the byproduct of any number of events leading up to this moment in time, whether or not you let any of your misgivings ruin your day is completely up to you. Is this a highly idealistic concept? Yes, I think so. Several other posts have mentioned this sentiment, but if you are really not satisfied with being a teacher of kindergarten students, then perhaps you should go exploring outside of your comfort zone and attempt to instruct children during another phase of their early development. Also, salary should really be of no concern if you are doing something that you are truly passionate about. In the management courses I have taken (this doesn’t make me an expert) we have studied how there is absolutely no correlation between pay and one’s intrinsic desire to do work. Money can only take you so far and it certainly “can’t buy me love,” as the Beatles would say. You can justify this to yourself however you like. Good teachers are few and far between and if it is your goal to become a good one, and not just another statistic, then perhaps it is time to cast any doubts you may have aside and start to focus on why it is that you will be good at what you do. Life really is too short to spend all of your days questioning what it is that you are doing here.

Answer 11

It seems to me you have a form of "stage fright." Now that it's your turn in the spotlight, you don't want to mess up. I have the same feelings when I'm starting a new job - while I'm training, I don't mind making mistakes because I can always blow it off as being part of my "learning curve." However, I feel that when I'm turned loose to do the job independently, that means I'm supposed to know what to do and that I shouldn't need help. I think I'm too hard on myself that way, and maybe you're somewhat similar in that regard.



Just ask other teachers for situational advice when things come up. Your school should understand that making your initial judgement calls will be hairy at first, but take your peers' advice and try to apply it. And ask yourself and other teachers about things *before* they arise - they'll know that you want to improve.

Answer 12

when you are happy on what youy are doing and satisfied of what the salary may ba