Hello. I am at a point in my life where I am unsure of what to do. Any advice would be appreciated. Here is my situation.
I just turned 22 and graduated from college in June (a year early) with a math major and economics minor. This past summer I did a 9 week actuarial internship with a Life Insurance company. I thought I wanted to go into the actuarial field but did not enjoy the internship. Being an office worker just seems boring and somewhat depressing, although maybe it was just the work that I was doing.
Anyway, now that I have finished that I am living at home and deciding what to do with my life. I’ve thought about becoming a math teacher since that might be more meaningful for me, but I am not sure. I’m thinking of trying to substitute teach to see if teaching’s for me. Other than that I would like to try to do something where I am working with people and helping them (while also making decente money). Anyway, do you have any advice for a young man in my position? I am fortunate enough to not have any debt, and really don’t want to go into debt to get teaching certification unless I am absolutely sure that is what I want to do.
Sounds like teaching could be a great fit. I would encourage you to shadow a math teacher for a few days. Substituting can be brutal and may not give you the true sense of what teaching is like. Subs are often not treated well by students and/or staff, you largely handle classroom management rather than teach and don’t have the relationship with the students/parents that a full time teacher does. However, if you shadow with a math teacher for a few days and like it, I would encourage you to substitute in the same school regularly. That way you will develop relationships and some of the above I mentioned will fade away or not happen at all. Also, as a math person, you will be in demand. You may even be able to make some great money tutoring on the side.
I would say shadowing a Math teacher is a great idea, but don’t be so quick to discount being an actuary. One insurance firm is not representative of the entire field or occupation.
Many Private schools do not require teaching certs.Having a degree in Math might be enough to get you a job posssibly even as a long term sub in a private school. You could see how you like it.