Career Change? I need your advice! (Long)

[Aurora63]

So, I've now been teaching elementary school for three years. I enjoy some aspects of it, but overall, it leaves me feeling very stressed out, and I also feel like I'm not accomplishing anything. Sometimes, I simply feel like a glorified babysitter. This is a true calling for some, but I don't think it is for me.

I know for sure that I don't want to do this for the rest of my life.

With that said, I need to figure out what to do when I do leave it! I am interested in a lot of things, but I know I want to do something where I work with people, but where it is structured...where I know exactly what I have to do. I think that is the problem with me and teaching...I know what I have to do, but with so many different learners who don't learn the same way, there are many ways you have to do it, which leaves me frazzled.

I was thinking of something in health care, which would of course mean more school (which is okay by me). I was thinking of doing a program either in occupational therapy or respiratory therapy.

Of course, I am now coming to my DIS friends for other suggestions...whatever you think I may want to consider. I have a BS degree in education, am pretty good with computers, and have successfully held many an odd job. I am quiet, so sales is not my thing, but I do like to interact with people more on a one-to-one or so basis. I enjoy doing things which require some thinking, but won't send me home at night overwhelmed.

Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Pam]

Librarian?

Do they hire teachers full time to work with adults seeking their GEDs? That would be more one-on-one.

 

[RobinMarie]

What types of things energize you, make you strong?

Ever taken the Myers Briggs personality test? Sometimes it helps?

just a thought.

 

[GoofyPrincess]

My youngest sister was a special needs teacher for four years and loved the kids, but hated the administration. She quit and spent 5 months looking for a job. She now sells drugs for Pfizer company and makes a butt-load of money. She also LOVES her job and is great at it.

Don't rule out anything! She interviewed for all kinds of jobs before she decided to go in this direction.

 

[Lisa F]

If you like computers and you like teaching, how about teaching adults how to use computers? I'm sure there are programs out there that help adults get better jobs by giving them necessary computer skills. If you enjoy teaching but just don't like the stress of the current public school system, think about what other kinds of things you could teach.