<p>I am 21 years old, and if I were on the right track for college I would be graduating at the end of this year. Of course, however, things do not always go as planned. I earned an associates degree after my 5th semester at school, then was forced to take my would-be 6th semester off due to financial reasons. So now I have transferred to a school that I now know I don't want to be at. I am at Columbia College in Chicago, and originally went there to study guitar. After the first day, the decision sunk in. I do not want to be a struggling musician who is forced to work some awful part time job on the side to support himself. So I am feeling stuck, as this school is an art school, and I don't want to study the arts. This semester will cost me about $8,000 in government loans, so I wasn't sure if I should drop out and try a different school next semester, or just stick this semester out. I didn't want to drop out at ALL, so I decided to change my major to marketing communication. I chose this major because it is offered at CCC, I feel like it gives me a lot of freedom, and I feel it will allow me to go in many different directions. Correct assumption? Now if I stick with this, I will graduate in 2 years, only 1 year late. The thing is, I don't really have the drive or desire to become a great marketer. I will really just be getting this degree just to have a degree. Is that okay? My current plan is this:
1. Stay at CCC just so I can get back into the groove in terms of being at school, and to fall back on this marketing plan if nothing else works out. It will cost me $8,000 and I already probably have too many credits to transfer to another school, but I owe no money for my education as it stands right now, so I figure $8,000 for this experience will be worth it in the long run.
2. Apply to as MANY schools that I can in the Chicago area (Northeastern, Loyola, DePaul, UIC, etc...) So that if I decide to transfer next semester, I will have the opportunity.
3. Try to find out what I want to study, or do in terms of a career.</p>
<p>Now, I really don't know how to find out what I want to do! I feel like I might want to try to become a teacher, but I think I'm looking at 2.5-3 more years AFTER this semester! I don't think I want to be in school until I'm 25!</p>
<p>My reasons for wanting to become a teacher are as follows:
1. I like to be in and around school. I am comfortable there because it's all I have ever known.
2. I love people. I love to connect and socialize with people. If I can guide and help someone who has enough of their life ahead of them then I think that would be very rewarding.
3. I love the idea of having a job that is that stable. I know it is difficult to become a teacher, and even more difficult to find a job in a place that you want to teach in, but I feel that, as a teacher, the job only gets better with time (does that sound right?). I guess I feel that it is a great career to have.
4. I feel that when I really understand something, I can explain it in a way that is easy for other people to understand.</p>
<p>Now for things that I am concerned about...
1. I don't know if I really love to teach!!! I have never tried it, and I don't know how to find out! All I can truly say about it is, "It sounds like it would be fun to teach someone something." I have taught some of my friends how to play guitar, and it really is enjoyable, but that isn't the same as teaching a classroom of 30-40 kids, right?
2. I'm really afraid that I won't be able to handle the work-load. I have come to the realization that if one wants to be successful then hard work is inevitable, but I'm really afraid that I won't be able to handle it (student teaching, the first couple of years on the job, etc...). It sounds like a LOT to handle.
3. I think my priorities in life would maybe conflict with this job. My goals in life are to have a job that brings in enough money for my family to not have to worry too much about being able to afford basic needs (not trying to get rich...), to be able to have time to spend with my family, and to not hate my job. I feel like one really needs to dedicate one's entire life to this job, am I wrong? I guess I feel I will have to sacrifice my family for my job, or my job for my family; one of them will have to suffer at some point because of the other one. I need someone to straighten my head!
4. I don't know what it takes to become a teacher. I don't know for sure if I'm cut out for it. I don't mean that as if I were doubting myself; I truly don't know! What is it like to be a teacher?
5. I have no idea what subject to teach! I think I want to teach 6-8th graders history, but I don't think I really have a burning passion for history. I'd say I like history, and that I like the idea of explaining how and why things happened the way they did, but is it okay to try to teach something that I don't know if I truly love?</p>
<p>Do I want to teach for the right reasons? I wasn't a great student all throughout middle school and high school, but my current GPA in (Oakton Community) college is 3.45ish. I know I will have to bring that up to succeed as a teacher and to find a good teaching job, but I am REALLY afraid that I won't make it. I really don't know if I am hard working enough! I would love it if some aspiring/accomplished teachers could jump in here and give me some advice!</p>
<p>ANY input on ANYTHING about my situation would be GREATLY appreciated!</p>