<p>Hi, I am going to be starting my 11th grade year this fall. Most people around this time have pretty much decided what they want to go into and what their interests are. I really love reading and writing in fact I love them so much I really want to someday teach Literature at the local university. However, most people are saying that it is very unlikely that I will have a chance at teaching English at college. Which kind of puts me down. I am still thinking of becoming an English Prof. but I still want to keep my options open. So I am going to take AP CHEM (which I love), AP LANG(love), pre-calc, gov. I am also doing dual enrollment and taking Speech and ASTR. Any other career suggestions that I should consider?</p>
<p>This may not be the best place to post this, but i’ll answer anyway. For one thing, you’ll need a PhD in English/Related major to teach at a university. Secondly, you shouldn’t expect to get X tenured position at X location. Especially in any humanities field, positions like these are difficult to find and often have many PhDs applying for the same position. </p>
<p>While It is important to pursue what you love, keep in mind going to college for English won’t necessarily mean you will get a job in english, let alone to become a professor at your local university.</p>
<p>And it is not true that most 11th graders have pretty much decided what they want to go into and what their interests are.</p>
<p>Perhaps if you taught high school English… but what problems do you see with high school teaching that you wouldn’t with college teaching?</p>
<p>I’m actually interested in the same general thing- I love writing/reading and would like to teach it, but not at the high school level because the kids don’t actually want to be there. I don’t think it’s impossible to become a professor. I think it is extremely difficult to become a professor at a top school or even a normal LAC or research university: however, I do believe that at some universities if you get the right level of education and you work hard, you have a chance. And I know that if you are willing (which not all people are) you can be a professor at a community college. My aunt teaches at a community college (graphic design) and she says that it is fun, moderately easy (especially with summers/vacations), and extremely rewarding because the people who attend community college are often very determined to do well either because it’s their ‘second chance’ or they are hoping to get good enough grades to transfer to a university.
I think that being a professor is more than possible for those who are determined and passionate about a subject. But from what I’ve read and heard, it’s not a good idea to get hopes up about any big-name schools or even prestigious ‘hidden gems’. Best of luck to you, since we’re in the same confusing boat.
Personally, I’ve decided to keep my options open, and I’ve been considering looking at editing/publishing, high school teaching, as well as careers in my other interests (namely biology and diseases, so public health advising and behavioral sciences). So I’m going to try to double major in biology and English when I get to college, because I figure that I’ll have a good sense of which I like better by the time I graduate, and then I can focus on specific careers from there. For you, based on what you described, you might be interested in a similar path except with chemistry and English.
Regardless, you have a long time to decide. Just make sure to go to a college that has every major you consider, as well as a good career advising program.
(By the way, pardon any grammar/spelling failures in this, I am not going to even somewhat proofread).</p>
<p>If you love reading and writing and hope to someday teach, are you now challenging yourself in some way to share your skills with others? Volunteering, working with a literacy program, running a library group, etc? Because it’s easy to “pick” an ideal major and future, when you are in hs. Not the same as actually going out and doing it. And, in terms of writing, plenty of kids keep a journal, write a blog or write to get a longer story out. Very different than the vetting for quality you will later go through, when it is a job or publishing on the line. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks guys I guess. I will just have to keep my options open!</p>
<p>OMG that would be really awesome if I do end up doing Chemistry and English together! thanks for the idea and yes the boat is really confusing XD</p>