Hello, friends! Happy 2022. I hope this new year will bring you all joy. I'm hoping to read at least 50 books! I needed some advice regarding my career path. I have gotten some amazing advice from this website, and I realized that teaching high school really isn't for me. I had this terrible panic attack during Thanksgiving break that left me in the hospital. I just couldn't go back to the classroom. It was traumatizing me. Every Sunday night I spent in agony. I realized that I just don't belong in the high school classroom. I'm currently on medical leave from my job, and I don't plan on returning to that school or any high school. I guess I'm a little worried though. I'm not sure where to go from here. I had applied to some PhD programs back in August 2021, but I don't know if teaching college will be right for me, especially since I have anxiety and terrible experience with high school. I was thinking about becoming an academic librarian, but I would need a second master's in MLIS to do that. I just want to make sure the PhD is something I want to give up before doing the master's in library science. What other job opportunities are there for someone who loves books?
Consider a textbook publishing company - McGraw Hill etc. I recall a teacher who quit and became a liaison in our district during text adoption. She would visit pilot teachers (I was one) in different schools to help and facilitate the adoption process. She was also part of the company’s textbook development program. https://publishersarchive.com/textbook-book-publishers.php
Weren't you teaching Community College at some point? If so, that might give you some insight, I would think. It might also help with the cost of that PhD. Not sure, but is there any intersection between library science and your target PhD? Maybe do both at the same time?
Thank you so much, everyone! ❤️ I think maybe I could stay in education, but just not the classroom. Since I love books so much, perhaps I should do something with curriculum design? What do you think? I was on the fence about library science. It just seems too techy for my liking. Not my cup of tea. I thought so much about it and spoke to a few alumni. I would rather have a different work schedule and do something with literature!
Many years ago, I made the transition from high school English teacher to college administrator, and I don't regret it. My job carries its own brand of stress, but not the panic attacking-inducing variety.
Oh wow, that's so wonderful. I was thinking of becoming a curriculum developer. Do you think college admin might be better for me? I just want to work with books.
In that case, the library or textbook route might be better for you. Look for job postings at McGraw Hill, Pearson, or Cengage.
I'm going to ask the hard questions that parents often raise - do you know how much it will cost to get the education that these jobs, for the most part, will require? Do they offer to hire you and you learn as you go, or do you have to shell out money up front to earn college credits? I think that one has to reconcile "wouldn't that be nice" with "my checkbook may or may not be able to handle those payments" if you don't want yourself stressing over how to pay off mounting student loans. I have had employers who actually ended up paying for most of my graduate education, but I don't know that I could have handled the payments if they needed to come out of my checking account. Perhaps the real question should be what jobs that count as educators would you qualify for at this point in your life while you work on acquiring the education you need to do something that doesn't include being in the classroom. That may bring you back to other options you need to consider. I am not advocating that you go back to teaching - I don't believe for one moment that the classroom is good for you or your students. I don't know what education is required for your new consideration, but without a job that pays for your schooling, you may rack up some serious debt. Just some things to think about.
Are teacher-librarians a “thing” where you live? They are somewhat popular in parts of Canada. Teacher-librarians are often in charge of school-based literacy programs, purchasing materials for the library, working with teachers on unit plans, etc. I don’t think you need a full extra degree for it. This way, you aren’t racking up additional student debt and you can still work with books!
This finding a place to fit in is something many people suffer through, so don’t feel like you’re the only one. Good luck as you work through the issue.
