Quandary Alert!
Quandary alert!
Ok so I used to work in Darlington as a Building Surveyor/ Architectural assistant. I left in 2005 after 1st child because I found out the 2 peeps they hired to take over my work load while I was on maternity leave (note it took 2 people to do my work) were both getting paid more than me. I found a job closer to home that paid a lot more money. Unfortunately that job disolved after 6 years when I was made redundant in April 2011.
So I have been unemployed for 6 months. In that time I have resolved myself to never go back into the building industry ever again. I have applied to do a PGCE next year so that I can train to be an Art teacher. I am in fact awaiting confirmation of my interview.
This morning I got an email from an ex colleague from the Darlington job, saying that one of the guys has left the building department and that they have been trying to contact me to see if I want my old job back.
I don't know what to do. I'm working 16 hours a week in a shop at the moment. The job's great but it's minimum wage. My old job pays more than what a newly qualified teacher makes *but* - it's going backwards isn't it? Or is it? Plus the commute was 45mins drive each way- which isn't a killer but I'd need to get the kids to school in the morning. Ah but I'd have a real wage coming in.
I don't know what to do.
What should I do?
Ok so I used to work in Darlington as a Building Surveyor/ Architectural assistant. I left in 2005 after 1st child because I found out the 2 peeps they hired to take over my work load while I was on maternity leave (note it took 2 people to do my work) were both getting paid more than me. I found a job closer to home that paid a lot more money. Unfortunately that job disolved after 6 years when I was made redundant in April 2011.
So I have been unemployed for 6 months. In that time I have resolved myself to never go back into the building industry ever again. I have applied to do a PGCE next year so that I can train to be an Art teacher. I am in fact awaiting confirmation of my interview.
This morning I got an email from an ex colleague from the Darlington job, saying that one of the guys has left the building department and that they have been trying to contact me to see if I want my old job back.
I don't know what to do. I'm working 16 hours a week in a shop at the moment. The job's great but it's minimum wage. My old job pays more than what a newly qualified teacher makes *but* - it's going backwards isn't it? Or is it? Plus the commute was 45mins drive each way- which isn't a killer but I'd need to get the kids to school in the morning. Ah but I'd have a real wage coming in.
I don't know what to do.
What should I do?
Comments
Subscribe
Visitor counter
Blog Roll Centre
Blog Hints
33 Comments
Just my two-penneth. I don't really know your circumstances Gerilyn, but if you're old job pays more than a starting teacher and you know the job, have done it before and liked it, well....
You made an excellent point by leaving that place, who clearly didn't appreciate you. I am in no way suggesting you drop everything and risk your financial stability, but consider the reason you left in the first place....xx
Yes it might seem like a backward step, but you'll have a different attitude - much more experience of life and of jobs - and even of the architectural world since the Monty job.
Also, if you have the offer of a PGCE under your belt, it will give you the inner confidence that you can walk if you don't like it. Hey if they've hunted you down, you could even hold out for even more pay. Not a lot to lose, is there?
Nothing like feeling wanted, to give your confidence a boost.
You know from personal experience that there are no guarantees that a job will last forever, so going into it thinking that it might only be for a year, is just being pragmatic.
Do both! Or at least, defer the decision about the PGCE until later, when you've seen how the cookie crumbles?
G'luck G-girl.
You worry about the time you spend travelling impacting on your boys - but bear in mind that your usual day to day role as a teacher will do that any way. A teacher's day never ends (literally... during term time, I eat, sleep and dream my job, and even this morning with 4+ months of maternity leave left, I was thinking up lessons to engage kids with Shakespeare. then I slapped myself...). One thing in your favour is you won't be a core subject teacher (the pressure tends to be on English, Maths and Science teachers when it comes to government targets etc), but at the same time, you won't be part of a large department - at my school of 1000 pupils, we only have 2 art teachers.
I suppose the real question is - how much do you want it? The government likes to try to push teaching as an 'easy option' for graduates, which it isn't (and is the reason behind the massive drop out rates in the first 4 years). However, if it is something you really want to do, then let nothing hold you back. That's how I would reason it - which one excites you more? Which one can you see yourself doing in 10 years? Which one 'feels' right?
Good luck with your decision! xx
If you do, fantastic, can't think of a more worthwhile career, sorry for the ramble!
Fast-forward to 2005. I, rather whimsically, applied to a job in a school to work in the school office. I was applying for anything and everything because I was unhappy in my current job. In the end, I was offered an Advertising Manager's job for a small magazine (Sew Today). Considering I loved writing, I was well chuffed and thought it might be a way into writing properly. Then, 3 weeks into that job, the school rang me and asked me if I would consider being a Cover Supervisor rather than working in the office.
The advertising job brought me in just over £14,000. Not much, but a lot more than the £11,000 the Cover Supervisor job pulled in. However, in my heart, I knew that the CS job might just lead me back into teaching. Within a half term, I was already in discussion with the English department about me becoming a full time teacher, and by the end of the following term (it was the summer), I'd been offered a chance to finish my NQT as an English teacher (swapped from Science). 2006 I completed my NQT year, and I have never looked back.
It was a huge gamble, hard work and, due to my previous experiences, scary as hell. But, at the same time, it was worth it.
1. It's easy to find a job when you don't need one
2. Never go back
They appear to be completely contradictary, but maybe not.
I notice that you appear to be thinking of this in the long term. When they made you redundant it was at a time of their choosing. I know you saw it coming, but you were in a bit of a state about it. It is allowed to be selfish and they do owe you. You could take this back, not necessarily intending it for the long term while you sort things out. There would be income and you would be employed while figuring out what you want.
Stop being so nice about things. Use them, they used you!
Most of my friends are teachers- so I know that turning to teaching is not 'the easy option'. My gran was a tecaher, then a head teacher and when I was little I always wanted to be an art teacher. When I did my A levels though- because I'd chosen Maths English and Art, someone suggested that Architecture would be a good proffession- so that is the route I took. After the trauma of working for Monty and the subsequent redundancy I decided that I really couldn't work for another architect ever again. Ironically- this old job would be working for a Chartered Surveyor.
I've toyed with the idea of being an art teacher before- usually when I was crying myself to slepp after Monty called me an imbecile infront of a packed out open plan office. but- you're right- I have only toyed with the idea. In my head it would be a romantic role- I'd flaunce about the art class, brush in hand- while I conveyed all my artistic knowledge onto a young rapt audience. So- I actually do appreciate being told a few home truths about what working in a secondry school would be *really* like. xxx
2. Can you train while working? If so it will give you a great chance to earn and learn.
3. As for the Art classes, I do nude modeling in my spare time. I am George clooney's stunt bum. let us know if you need a viewing......
hope this helps
Prop
99. (Minx's Liars blog) "It must be cold in here."
After a while, I did feel that I'd 'gone backwards' and shouldn't have done - but on balance, I'm glad I did. Being too precious about my career path was a luxury I couldn't afford at the time.
You really have nothing to lose by keeping your options open, do you? Except perhaps, your current job?
I know it's sometimes better the devil you know, but only go back on your terms, if you decide to. I've had problems, as you know, and am struggling and trying to sort things out and there's nothing that could ever get me back to my employment.
I made that decision, not by thinking of the here and now, but thinking of the long term. Try and imagine yourself in 5 years time. On one hand you don't want to waste your qualifications, but can you see yourself there, or as a teacher? Work is such a huge part of the day, and if you make the decision to go back, you don't have to stay! You've already proved there's no keeping you down, and you don't need them. I wouldn't go back, but I only have me to think of. It's different when you have a young family who depend on you.
P.S. It is possible to get along without a car (though getting my kids to football at weekends is a challenge).
I would def do the PGCE if I were you - give it a proper go - and once you have it, you will always have that option of teaching in future.
Perhaps you could volunteer at your sons' school (or a local comp?) for a few art sessions while you are at D*hams? Might show you if it's for you?
Good Luck Geri - you deserve a break. xx
My interview for the PGCE will be sometime before christmas-I need to get through that first.
Thanks again you wonderful people x
It's something you really want to do, and if you don't go for it you may always have a little regret.
Good luck with the interview.
Good luck.
Click here to sign up now.