[testify]

Hi everyone

I am looking for any similar experiences or ideas on what to do.

I have realised that I am not looking forward to becoming a teacher. I started this degree because I worked in child care and I thought it would be a natural progression to what I was already good at. I am in 3rd year and have done two practicums. Both times I obtained really positive feedback from my supervising teachers and university supervisors. The kids were fantastic students and I was well supported in all areas.

However, if I am brutally honest I found a lot of it draining and for most of the pracs I was acting like it was enjoyable when in actual fact I couldn't wait for it to be over. I don't think I am cut out to be a teacher . I really respect every child's right to be nurtured and educated by a passionate professional and I know that's what I want for my children. I just really lack the passion and while I am going very well academically and on all my pracs, my heart just isn't in it.

I do want to finish- but I am very confused about what I can do with a primary degree apart from becoming a primary teacher. I have booked a session with the uni careers advisor next week so they can offer me extra guidance. But right now I am feeling lost about it all. I think it's important I have a plan rather than falling into a job I don't want to do and negatively impacting others.


Has anyone changed their career choice at the end of the degree? Has it ever worked out well?

This post has been edited by Omega_particle: 27/01/2013, 08:57 PM

[CupOfCoffee]

I was one subject (final prac) from finishing my graduate in education. I did not finish it because teaching was not the career for me.

I love kids and I value eduction, turns out that I don't love teaching.

I have never looked back and wished I had become a teacher (but I have built a career in a field that suits me).

[~~~~!eternit...]

I was like you and opted out of my teaching degree 6 months early with a BA. I have pretty much regretted it ever since because even though I didn't want to go into the classroom I have used the skills in heaps of roles since and it would have been nice to finish.

Some options you may not have considered:
- TAFE teaching
- Teach for RTOs
- Uni lecturing
- Learning and development staff member in an organisation

[testify]

Hi cup of coffee - that is fantastic to hear that you found a more suitable career. Did you find that your study helped you in getting the job you have now? Do you wish you had cut your losses and left earlier?

[~~~~!eternit...]

Just wanted to add- finish the degree, you are so close and you never know when you might wish you did later in life, even if just to pick up casual days if your world goes pear shaped some time in the future.

[axiomae]

If you enjoy child care - how about running a kindy program? They require an education degree but are run in a child care setting - could be a nice middle ground perhaps?

ETA: I'd finish. Casual teaching is great money and always a wonderful thing to have to fall back on, even if it isn't your primary career goal.

This post has been edited by axiomae: 27/01/2013, 09:08 PM

[testify]

Hi eternity- I'm sorry to hear you had regrets about leaving early. Can you go back and finish the last few subjects? I think your experience is similar to how I would feel if I left now. They are choices I have considered- especially the causual teacher option. However, we want to get a home loan and me being in permernant work is a necessary part of that.

[jm3]

I felt exactly the same as you OP when I was at that point in my degree. I did well. I got good feedback. I pretty much pretended I was loving it but I wasn't. I couldn't wait for the pracs to be over.
I finished the degree with a ten week placement.

Now... I really do love it. It is so different being in the classroom without the pressures of the academic pressure and the constant supervision of pracs. Hang in there

[CupOfCoffee]

Hi cup of coffee - that is fantastic to hear that you found a more suitable career. Did you find that your study helped you in getting the job you have now? Do you wish you had cut your losses and left earlier?

I am glad I did as much as I did. I don't think I wasted time doing it, even though I was so close to finishing and don't work in the field. I think that everything I have done, takes me to where I am now (so if I had finished earlier, things might have been different) and I use what I learnt as a parent and generally.

(I work in a policy type area, so having done uni from different faculties has been awesome for me (my undergrad was in a completely different area again).

[littleboysmum]

Just to let you know, teaching pracs are HARD work and not always indicative of what it's like to have your own class. Your own class is totally different. I am, however, glad you have recognised the truth if teaching is not for you. All kids deserve a teacher who is truly passionate about their job. Teaching is not always the easiest of jobs, but then again, anything that is truly worthwhile is never easy. Good luck in whatever you decide to do!