Gen Y: Educated and Jobless

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

I have a BA in Art and am getting a second degree, then planning on a program to get certified to teach. I don't even want to think about my prospects without that last degree. I shudder.

You might want to shudder, thinking about the prospects with the teaching certification. Not good.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by epchick

You might want to shudder, thinking about the prospects with the teaching certification. Not good.

They're hardly dismal as long as I'm willing to move (and I am). I realize it isn't a rock star salary but I plan on shooting for a job at a public school where I can get some solid benefits and have time to get an MFA while I work. I'm not up for a starving artist lifestyle. I'd rather have a steady paycheck with good benefits and regular hours, even if said paycheck isn't impressive. And it won't be boring.

[Elephant Walk]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

They're hardly dismal as long as I'm willing to move (and I am). I realize it isn't a rock star salary but I plan on shooting for a job at a public school where I can get some solid benefits and have time to get an MFA while I work. I'm not up for a starving artist lifestyle. I'd rather have a steady paycheck with good benefits and regular hours, even if said paycheck isn't impressive. And it won't be boring.

This is sort of what I'm like too, although it's with my Doctorate.

I just want some sort of job that will help me pay for at least part of my doctorate while I'm getting it (not a GA position).

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by Elephant Walk

This is sort of what I'm like too, although it's with my Doctorate.

I just want some sort of job that will help me pay for at least part of my doctorate while I'm getting it (not a GA position).

I mean I want to make teaching my career but I can't stay in school forever, so teaching middle or high school for a while so that I can get an MFA, start "real life", and work towards eventually teaching college one day is pretty much the best plan for me.

Plus it'll be nice to do something else besides attend class. I'm ready for a real job.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

They're hardly dismal as long as I'm willing to move (and I am).

Ummm ok, if you say so.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by epchick

Ummm ok, if you say so.

Okkkkk...can you tell me why it is dismal to teach? I'm pretty pumped for it.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

Okkkkk...can you tell me why it is dismal to teach? I'm pretty pumped for it.

I never said anything about teaching being dismal. You might want to re-read my post.


You said you "shudder" to think about your prospects for jobs w/o the teaching program. I said you might want to shudder thinking about your prospects WITH the teaching certification. It's not easy getting a teaching job, even if you are willing to relocate.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by epchick

I never said anything about teaching being dismal. You might want to re-read my post.


You said you "shudder" to think about your prospects for jobs w/o the teaching program. I said you might want to shudder thinking about your prospects WITH the teaching certification. It's not easy getting a teaching job, even if you are willing to relocate.

It's really not all that difficult, either, as long as you can go where the job is. That's probably true for a lot of careers. I'm pretty happy with my future career choice.

It's not "easy" to get a job for most people right now but it is far easier for me to get a steady job that involves my major if I teach than if I try to go into something like graphic design, for instance.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

It's really not all that difficult, either, as long as you can go where the job is.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

It's really not all that difficult, either, as long as you can go where the job is. That's probably true for a lot of careers. I'm pretty happy with my future career choice.

It's not "easy" to get a job for most people right now but it is far easier for me to get a steady job that involves my major if I teach than if I try to go into something like graphic design, for instance.

I think you'll find that the economy is affecting teaching significantly right now in almost every area. Some teachers are still ok, specifically special ed, math and science teachers and can find jobs. However, in most areas, there have been a lot of teacher layoffs and there are few places that are hiring. I've heard this from teachers all over the country. It's possible that somewhere like Alaska may still need teachers simply because the economy has not tanked as much there (rich state to begin with) and there are fewer women there (and teaching is still a female dominated profession). I realize Michigan is not a good measure because we are in worse shape than most states, but I have been hearing this from existing teachers and new grads all over the place.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by Alumiyum

It's really not all that difficult, either, as long as you can go where the job is. That's probably true for a lot of careers. I'm pretty happy with my future career choice.

My two cents on teaching (I'm not an expert, but know a lot as it is my fiance's desired profession):

Co-sign with Dee, I've heard it's hard for teachers everywhere. Fiance graduated with a history & secondary education degree. I'm not sure of the amount of applications he's done but it's been a lot. Anyways, he only had one interview, but he did not get an offer there.

He's applied to jobs in state and out of state, as far as Louisiana. We were both willing and able to relocate if he got a teaching job in another state, but even then, he still couldn't find anything. So I'd stay it's still difficult even though we were willing to go where there were jobs.

Also, in his major (specifically history & secondary ed., not just one or the other) there were 40 graduates this year. Last thing I heard from him was that 3 of those 40 had teaching jobs and 2 were out of the country.

I'm very thankful that he was able to find a job in education (although not at a high school) that can offer him almost full time hours and fairly good pay. And because it's only 30 hours per week he still has time to take classes to get his science endorsements, which he will be done with by next spring.