For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been teaching two classes at a local college this semester. It’s an amazing experience and something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. If all goes well, maybe I can continue next semester.
It also made me realize that I need to start taking that next step in my career. I’m too worried about a lot of things, which means a lot of times I will stick with the status quo and not take a risk. I think too far ahead — like 2-3 years — wondering where my paycheck will come from and if I can pay my bills. What that does is makes me stay where I am. And though the job I have is good (for those of you in newspapers, you know that it’s nice to have a job at this point), there’s no room to go up or take the next step. Where I am is where I am. The paycheck won’t increase, and with furloughs, often it decreases.
So there comes a time when I need to make a jump. Now is it. I’m not worried about 3-4 years from now anymore. If I don’t do something, I can tell you where I’ll be in 3-4 years. The same place I’ve been for the past 5-6. I can also guarantee I will be a lot more unhappy and unfulfilled. It’s not a jab at where I am — it’s reality. I’m at a bottom-level job of our industry. A small paper with a small department and no room for advancement. Though teaching at the local college — one of my alma maters — is a great thrill and something that has interjected me with some enthusiasm and drive, it’s also made me realize that I found something I love and want to do. That means I don’t want to be an adjunct forever.
My plan, for the next month or so, will be to do several things — look into and apply for many teaching jobs for next fall, and also look into (again) going back to school for a Ph.D. It seems most places want that degree and now that I know for sure which direction I want to go in this world, the next degree is something I would like to go after. I’m even going to look at some of those teaching English as a Second Language deals in China, South Korea, Japan etc., as it seems like it could be a life-altering experience.
Who knows where all this will lead? I might still end up being status quo in the next year. I might not and might be on the other side of the country or the world come next fall.
The bottom line is that I need to start pushing myself to do a little more. I’ve seen a lot of friends become highly successful and I’m happy for them — but it also reminds me that living paycheck to paycheck is something I want to stop doing. I want to break out from the same-day activities and take the next step.
I’ll be polishing the resume.
Working on the cover letters.
Getting references in order.
Then I’ll be crossing my fingers.
More later!
