I graduated from college today....(sorry long)

[WeLoveLilo05]

and I was so excited, couldn't wait for this day to come, was counting down the days and now I am so sad. And I figured out why...(everyone is going to laugh at me haha) I really LOVE learning. I have a BA, majored in Education(k-5 w/ special ed cert) and psychology. I did student teaching and really didn't enjoy myself, had the co-op teacher from h***, had the supervisor from h***. It just wasn't enjoyable at all! I did a short lesson with a 6th grade resource room (3 kids) and did enjoy that though, I think it helped that they were reading my favorite book (Where the Red Fern Grows) and they were so well behaved! If I take the English Praxis I would be eligible to teacher middle school English.
BUT, after the experience I had, and the lack of teaching jobs here in NJ thanks to our wonderful governor, I keep thinking what could I do with my psych degree? Then I thought, what if I could find a job with my psych degree, then go back to school for masters?
I just like sitting in a classroom and absorbing all that knowledge and information hahaha....yes I'm a huge nerd!
I'm also in a panic, I never had a job in my adult life, well a real full time job, I don't count working part time in a library and hostessing at Fridays a career. I think I lack a lot of confidence.

 

[ctinct]

Congratulations on your graduation! Even if you never use your degree in your career, you'll always be proud you have it. I'm like you---love to learn for learning's sake. You can always try to find something to satisfy your curiosity at a community college (much cheaper), adult ed classes, or Academic Earth free online course. Yale has some free courses online. I live within 20-25 minutes of Yale, and I always tease that I am "going" to Yale for free. I know you are young, but in our state, people over 60 (I think-maybe 62) can take courses at state universities for free. I'm not there yet, but that will be one of the perks of getting older, I guess---if the budget crisis doesn't force the governor to cut that out, too.

Anyhow, way to go!

 

[JJsmama]

It may be a surprise to you, but it is not strange to be sad about finishing college. College is very difficult for some, but for those who are good at it, it can be the time of your life! I loved college - even the going to class part (except math and science) and I loved Graduate school. I have often thought of getting a PHd because, I too, love the learning and academic environment. Besides, getting a job and having to be responsible for everything is scary! Congratulations on your achievement. Be proud of your accomplishment! I would take a little time and work and try to decide which direction you'd like to move it. Then, maybe you can go to Grad School.

 

[luv2sew]

My daughter also has just graduated with almost the same credentials as you. Bach. in Elem. Ed honors track, Bach. in Spanish, Minors in political science and honors track educational psychology and all that done while doing honors college work...She too had a Co Op teacher that was standing at the gates of hell.....but she recognizes that having that teacher was the best thing for her.

In life you have to work and work hard for what you get, as you already know and by the way congratulations on your degrees. Don't get caught up in the blame everyone else for the challenges you face game....you won't get anywhere with that attitude.

we need teachers that love what they do so much that they inspire the kids to also love learning and on top of that be able to take on life's challenges that they will most definitely be facing in this country and world in their future. If you have decided that is not what you love....I strongly urge you to look in another direction.

There is many things you can do and some of it may take some time till you find it....but it's out there and you may have to search long and hard to get to it....but it's there.

Good Luck. YOU are in control of your life from this day forward, what becomes of it is entirely up to you..Go forth and conquer and be positive you will find that will be your biggest asset.

 

[MrsPete]

Congratulations on your graduation!

One thing jumps out at me about your post and your thoughts about future employment -- and, no, it's not confidence: It's that you say you didn't enjoy student teaching because of the cooperating teacher and the supervisor, and you blame the governer for the lack of jobs. Without knowing you, I could easily be imagining things from this one post, but you're blaming three people here. Is that realistic?

This IS a tough time to be looking for a job, but if you're not able to get a classroom of your own this fall, I suggest substitute teaching. It's a good way to get into lots of schools and to get multiple principals interested in hiring you. Almost everyone in my school got his or her job through either student teaching or subbing.

As for getting a job with the Psych degree, that's tough. I know because I have a Psych degree too. Social work is a possibility, but other than that a Psych degree is really just fun to earn.

Good luck to you in your job hunt.

 

[Sparx]

Congratulations on your graduation!

I'm sorry that you're not feeling confident about the teaching aspect of your degree.

 

[bluesaturn]

With a psych degree you could work in research. Look into universities, med schools, or teaching hospitals. Or you could work in HR, or in an administrative position at a college. You could also get a masters in counseling or social work and work as a therapist.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Congratulations on your graduation!

One thing jumps out at me about your post and your thoughts about future employment -- and, no, it's not confidence: It's that you say you didn't enjoy student teaching because of the cooperating teacher and the supervisor, and you blame the governer for the lack of jobs. Without knowing you, I could easily be imagining things from this one post, but you're blaming three people here. Is that realistic?

This IS a tough time to be looking for a job, but if you're not able to get a classroom of your own this fall, I suggest substitute teaching. It's a good way to get into lots of schools and to get multiple principals interested in hiring you. Almost everyone in my school got his or her job through either student teaching or subbing.

As for getting a job with the Psych degree, that's tough. I know because I have a Psych degree too. Social work is a possibility, but other than that a Psych degree is really just fun to earn.

Good luck to you in your job hunt.

My cousin graduated LAST May, she has been on over 80 interviews, willing to travel over an hour, has her special ed cert...and still nothing, so I am sorry that I am a little discouraged, what separates me from her? kwim? And I'm sorry, my grade was significantly lowered by my co-op teacher or supervisor (I don't really even know,my supervisor said my teacher lowered it, the teacher said the supervisor did), b/c I called out sick one Friday, I even had a Drs note to prove it. So 2days later I was calling my supervisor fighting for my grade, it was just a mess.
I looked on the computer, one one position in my whole county is listed, and its pre-k/k private school. We're in a real mess here in NJ, many teachers who don't have tenure are being let go, budgets didn't pass, governor didn't pass the budget.

 

[Bluestars]

Congratulations on your graduation!

I'm sorry you are sad. You said you like learning, but learning doesn't always take place in a classroom. It's natural to be nervous when we enter a new chapter in our lives. I think it's kind of exciting though too.

I hope you find something you enjoy.

 

[DawnCt1]

Congratulations on your education, your graduation and your very big accomplishment. Confidence comes with experience. You will get there. Have you considered a career in Speech Pathology. With your background, I can't help think that you would have no problem getting accepted into a top notch Speech Pathology graduate program. You could work in the school system, pre school, elementary and middle. You could work in hospitals or clinics. Or could could work for Birth to Three and do home visits. The age range of patients extends from 17 months to 100 years; rehabilitating stroke patients, young adults with brain injury, etc. etc. I don't know what the demand is for Speech Paths now, but when DS#4 required their services....from the age of 17 months through middle school (cleft palate and laryngal polyps) they were in demand.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

Not sure if your interested but you can get a job as a dolphin trainer with a degree in psychology.

 

[Imzadi]

Congratulations on your graduation!

That is a huge accomplishment. As for a full time job and the rest, just take it one day at a time. Don't worry about having to choose and say yes to the ONE, perfect job.

I love growing and learning and sitting in classrooms, seminars, workshops, too. I've changed jobs, careers and lifestyles over the years, a few times, as that passion to learn, grow, absorb new things, has really helped me. ALL the cumulative experiences makes me a more well-rounded, flexible person, capable of doing so much. It will be the same for you.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Not sure if your interested but you can get a job as a dolphin trainer with a degree in psychology.

haha, actually I'd LOVE THAT, not sure how my family would like packing up and moving though, don't think there's any aquariums in NJ that have dolphins.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Congratulations on your education, your graduation and your very big accomplishment. Confidence comes with experience. You will get there. Have you considered a career in Speech Pathology. With your background, I can't help think that you would have no problem getting accepted into a top notch Speech Pathology graduate program. You could work in the school system, pre school, elementary and middle. You could work in hospitals or clinics. Or could could work for Birth to Three and do home visits. The age range of patients extends from 17 months to 100 years; rehabilitating stroke patients, young adults with brain injury, etc. etc. I don't know what the demand is for Speech Paths now, but when DS#4 required their services....from the age of 17 months through middle school (cleft palate and laryngal polyps) they were in demand.

Thank you, I will have to look into that. The woman who does my hair, her son is having some difficulty with speaking and she has someone come into her home a few times a week, that sounds nice, I like working one on one. Thanks

 

[luv2sew]

These are very difficult times to find a job in, in any profession. You should not base your chances on other peoples experiences. My motherly advice to your cousin would be to re evaluate her job hunting strategies...after all the interviews you say shes been on there may be something missing in her resume or approach to questions she's being asked in interviews. She may well be one that will need to get into a school by way of the "back door", such as substitute teaching or getting a job as an aid or admin assistant first as many are doing today in that profession.

You, on the other hand have not even tried very hard yet and judging by my daughter's position right now can't even try yet because she/you don't have your official transcripts yet, which she's been told take about 6 weeks to get.

So here you are getting angry at situations before you even get started. My daughter knows that here in Pennsylvania it is going to be next to impossible to get a teaching job this year....she has already been working on plan B. She will be working at the same camp counselor job she's had for the last 5 summers, earning next to nothing I may add because it's a girl scout camp and they only pay very minimum wages. But she has a job for a few weeks then when her transcripts come she will be activating all the networking skills she can muster up to find something....if that doesn't work she will hope to get some substitute teaching and then she will look at doing ESL in a foreign country. But she needs her transcripts and she needs to have patience because the current school year is not over yet and some districts may not know what the status of their hiring will be yet.

So I will again tell you you need to be more optimistic and positive....But I firmly advise you, as a mom who's had her own difficulties with teachers, to not look at the teaching profession.

 

[MrsPete]

My cousin graduated LAST May, she has been on over 80 interviews, willing to travel over an hour, has her special ed cert...and still nothing, so I am sorry that I am a little discouraged, what separates me from her?

In contrast, my last student teacher (only two years ago) had multiple offers before graduation. This is a lean student teacher year at my school (we only have one, which is a little unusual for us), but she already has a job lined up for next fall.

Something to consider: I remember clearly sitting in the auditorum for our Orientation to Student Teaching, and a professor said something that genuinely struck terror into my heart -- he said point blank, "Your degree will never, ever get you a job." He went on to explain something that'd never crossed my mind: Every other person in this room, every other person who is competing for the job you want has the very same degree that you have. What will set you apart from the crowd?

Ouch. I knew he was right. So I asked myself serious, "Why will an employer choose me?" I could honestly say that I had a fantastic college transcript, but that doesn't mean much -- the best students don't necessarily make even remotely good teachers (and the professor told us that day in the auditorium that our student teaching grade means more than all our other grades put together). I had two college degrees, but one was essentially useless in getting a job as a high school teacher. I was a little older than the other candidates, which showed more maturity and stability. But other than those rather questionable variables, what did I have to offer?

One HUGE thing that principals want -- at the high school level anyway -- is someone who can coach a sport. Really, if it comes down to two candidates who appear to be rather equal, the principal will choose the one who can coach basketball . . . or the one who's certified to teach two subjects, especially if one is a difficult-to-fill position like Latin . . . or the one who is certified as an athletic trainer. Those are the people who get the jobs.

I don't know if it's like this where you are or not, but many jobs within the school system are never really posted for the general public to see. They're usually filled by people whom the principal already knows as student teachers or substitute teachers.

 

[MrsPete]

Thank you, I will have to look into that. The woman who does my hair, her son is having some difficulty with speaking and she has someone come into her home a few times a week, that sounds nice, I like working one on one. Thanks

When my grandmother had a stroke, she worked with a speech therapist while she was in a rehab facility. The therapist did WONDERS for her.

I know a couple speech therapists, and they each LOVE their jobs. Within the school system, this job is more difficult to get than a regular classroom teacher job. Think about the numbers: My single department is made up of about 15 teachers who all do the same job I do . . . seven high schools in my county all have similar numbers . . . but our speech therapist is shared between several schools. But that's JUST within-the-school-system jobs. My job wouldn't really exist outside the school system, but speech therapists can find work in private practices.