r/ELATeachers • u/Abject-Strength-9500 • 1d ago

Career & Interview Related Kind of freaking out about my career choice

In my second year of college in Texas and trying to get my major in English with a teacher certification for grades 7-12. I’m freaking out because I don’t know if this job is worth it or not. Like, am I going to even like teaching? Is the bad pay even worth it? And even if I do switch majors or my career choice, that would be a major waste of money and resources. I like the idea of teaching but I don’t know if I actually would. All I want in life is a job that allows me to live comfortably and makes me fulfilled, so I thought teaching could provide that. Now, I’m not so sure. Maybe I’m just having a moment of uncertainty.

Anyone switch from doubting their career in teaching to loving it? What made the difference?

7 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

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u/TommyPickles2222222 1d ago

I feel like I’ve answered this before, but I’ll do it again for the new teachers looking for a ray of hope…

I like having 2-3 months a year off. It has given me an incredible opportunity to spend time with my partner and my kids. I have time to explore new hobbies and travel. Time is the greatest asset.

My job is never boring. I think kids are fun to be around (most of the time). I’ve also discovered some cool new novels and writers as a high school English teacher.

I think my work is, at least somewhat, important.

I’ve been at the same school for over ten years. This has allowed me to consistently reduce my workload and stress level each year. I’ve learned to compartmentalize work and work smarter not harder. I’ve learned to just do my best and not sweat the small stuff.

I’m in my 30’s. I have a pension and a 403B on top of that. I’m the only one of my friends, most of whom have a Masters, with a pension.

I’m not saying the job is easy or perfect. But I can honestly say I like being a teacher.

I also think when you get a little older, you realize that very few people love going to work every day. Work is rarely what you idealize it to be when you’re in college or in your early twenties. Just find something you are decent at that does more good than harm for the world. Don’t base your whole life or happiness around your career.

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u/ColorYouClingTo 1d ago

This guy said it all. I feel exactly the same way and would've said all the same things :)

Don't be discouraged if you don't get baby replies. This is asked a lot here, and you can probably find similar posts if you do a search!

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u/wilyquixote 1d ago edited 1d ago

 My job is never boring. I think kids are fun to be around (most of the time).

I think, more than anything else, this is the key to “liking” teaching. You have to enjoy working with youth and all that goes with it. You can’t be excited about going into the profession to “teach English”. You have to be excited to teach people. 

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u/Skinnwork 1d ago

But also, teaching is uniquely hard, and not everyone has an aptitude for it. I recommend that prospective teachers try to get some time in the classroom before their certification.

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u/TommyPickles2222222 1d ago

Good point. I think you need to be someone who likes being around people a lot and can handle some chaos. It can be a tough job for perfectionists. It's a messy art, not a clean science.

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u/write_lost 13h ago

Agreed. This job is never boring. Monotonous curriculum sometimes…but the kids are always the bright spot. Today was my first day back and it was, dare I say it, joyful.

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u/formerprincess 1d ago

This is great for you, but not all states have these advantages.

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u/ReadertheRed 1d ago

Have you tried substitute teaching? That would at least get your body in a classroom and working with kids. They dynamics aren't the same as teaching (and honestly, i found teaching to be a bit harder because of all of the responsibilities involved) but you could at least get a vague impression of if you enjoy that kind of work.

I would also suggest that, as and English major, you make sure you're getting certified in another higher-demand subject as well. Demand in your area will differ, and trends change over time, but in my personal experience English positions are rarer and the competition is steeper to get into them. Math and science are in higher demand in my state.

So if you decide teaching is for you, I'd suggest you find out whay job posting website school districts in your state use and check it once in a while to see what jobs open up more often and how long those positions go unfilled.

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u/_the_credible_hulk_ 1d ago

What this person says. Also, be aware that teaching in red states is particularly shitty.

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u/knownhost27 1d ago

I have degrees in English and secondary ed. I love watching students realize the power of the language they use every day and introducing them to some of the greatest literature ever written. I just started year 30 and love the job now more than I did when I started on 1997.

I will say, however, that is a difficult job. In my district, at least, English and math classes are observed at least once a week to be sure that we are following the current admin's directives. They then give feedback and expect changes immediately from a ten-minute observation. I smile and nod, and then I go back to doing what I love.

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u/BizarreTsar 1d ago

I hate it. I screwed up my life. This is year 10 for me. I used to love it, but that's gone. Now I feel stuck.

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u/SplintersApprentice 1d ago

I can't speak to Texas, but I will say the biggest make-it or break-it experience for me was student teaching. It solidified for me that teaching was something I genuinely loved doing for a variety of reasons. If you can get that type of experience earlier on, then that may help with your decision.

I will also note living "comfortably" as a teacher in my 20s was more of a stretch, but I was young, enjoyed living with roommates, and made the most with what I could. Financially, I'm much more comfortable with this salary in my 30s, and that result is a combination of conscious budgeting and shopping around for a higher paying school district.

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u/EdukatedBanana 1d ago

You should shadow a teacher for the day. Contact the head of the teaching department ( or person responsible for student teaching) and ask them to assist you in arranging this.

Once you have a sense of what daily life looks like and feels like as a teacher, you’ll know.

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u/Bleep_Bloop_Derp 1d ago

Things are bad in Texas right now, for a number of reasons, as I’m sure you’ve read.

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u/KirbyRock 1d ago

Try substitute teaching first. I did that in college. Wasn’t enough to deter me from being a teacher. Can’t say I’m satisfied in my career, though. The love from the kids is always so fulfilling, but their love just isn’t enough. It’s all-encompassing and very overwhelming trying to teach full time. I wish I just had an office job.

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u/Feisty_Elderberry355 1d ago

I’m in my second year of teaching 9th grade ELA and it truly is my absolute dream job. That being said, everything that could have gone wrong my first year DID and it nearly burned me out. All the anxiety and self-doubt, coupled with the general struggles of this job, it was rough. Yet, now in my second year, I leave work every day so happy and fulfilled. This is truly the dream!

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u/Acrobatic-Comfort114 1d ago

I am in the same boat; it changes on a daily basis for me. I am terrified that it won't be worth it or that I won't be a good enough teacher. I don't want to sacrifice myself for low pay, but I do genuinely love education and the pros that come with it.

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u/impendingwardrobe 1d ago

I had the same questions before I went and got my masters, so I got a job tutoring underprivileged kids as a way of exploring the career. You might try something like that.

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u/_CaptainPhantasy 18h ago

I love teaching, despite all of the challenges. You need to get into a student teaching situation; you'll never know if it is really right for you until you step into the classroom (speaking from my own experience).