ball and chain... (education major)

<p>A few months back, around the beginning of this spring semester, I detailed an in depth look at my first semester. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/630981-ball-chain-technician.html?highlight=ball[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/engineering-majors/630981-ball-chain-technician.html?highlight=ball&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Not even eight weeks in, I’m suffocating in my own depression. Clearly it was the worst mistake I could have made. Neither of my parents attended college, so to listen to their advice was foolish and close-minded. Now I’m to go throughout these next twelve weeks merely existing until I can transfer yet again.</p>

<p>I have discovered though that engineering is ABSOLUTELY not the major I’ve been searching for. An engineer is a perfect illustration of exactly what I WASN’T looking for. I’ve decided to follow the career choice of an education major; This way I can put my creativity to freely drawing out lesson plans and also I won’t have to worry about any rigid structure governing every calculation I’m to make. </p>

<p>So here’s my dilemma: My first school I left originally because I felt trapped by limited majors, absence of athletics, and lack-of intramural clubs. I met a lot of cool people though, teachers and peers alike, that would love for me to come back. I feel secure with this but… at the same time I have the option of transferring to other schools, within the limits of New-England, but whats to say these schools are really any different once I start living there…?</p>

<p>Secondly, My initial plan on education was to become an art teacher, utilizing my ability as an artist and my passion to create. I must admit though, every art teacher I’ve ever been taught by has successfully come off as overly eccentric, or more blatantly, a complete wack-job…
I enjoy writing to a certain extend, I’m not as passionate about it as I am with art, but still it generates enough creativity for my tastes. When I look back at all the teacher’s that have ever impacted me positively, I’m reminded of 8th, 10th and 12th grade English classes. In reverse, my art teachers have always been the cripple that stripped my affection for art when I was being taught.
So I’m at a cross whether art or writing is my true ecstasy…</p>

<p>I know I don’t need to make any immediate decisions, but the weight of not knowing is over-barring. Not to mention my head spins with the amount of free-time that comes with community college… I’m not looking for any specific answers on how to live, but the simplest suggestion or words of advice is easily the best I could ask for.</p>

<p>The way I see it, i’ve never taken a high school art class, is that English teachers are more in demand since it’s mandatory for students to take it.</p>

<p>But if you decide not to teach, I’m not sure if one would be happy as a professional artist unless they are well compensated. But i don’t think there are many such artists.</p>

<p>I also see art as more of a hobby centered on freedom of expression. It is not meant to be shackled by a curriculum and assignments.
Interesting video about how schools hinder creativity: [FORA.tv</a> - Sir Ken Robinson: A New View of Human Capacity](<a href=“http://fora.tv/2009/01/29/Sir_Ken_Robinson_A_New_View_of_Human_Capacity#Sir_Ken_Robinson_Industrialism_Marginalized_Human_Talents]FORA.tv”>http://fora.tv/2009/01/29/Sir_Ken_Robinson_A_New_View_of_Human_Capacity#Sir_Ken_Robinson_Industrialism_Marginalized_Human_Talents)</p>

<p>And if you’re an English teacher, you only work about half of the year and can still have time for your art passion.</p>

<p>“What I want in a major is creativity, to be able to design without limitations my own conceptions. I don’t limit myself to the label of artist, because what people fail to understand is that such a title is too thick and limited. And although i am strong with paints/charcoal/graphite I’d prefer a major that connects these skills but doesn’t have too direct of a correlation.”</p>

<p>I see what your saying, you want the best possible major for you, that will be practical after you graduate. But everyone wants this, and not all get it. So maybe if you can’t get 100% what you want, settle for 70%. (this is the way i’ve been told to think when looking for a wife in the future.</p>

<p>I think that English teacher as a career choice is a great decision. And my parents didn’t go to college either so I try to shy away from some of their advice. I listen to what they have to say though.</p>

<p>konto,</p>

<p>First off I really do appreciate you looking into, and contributing your thoughts to this thread. You understand where I’m coming from, which is what I needed. </p>

<p>I must admit, I did watch that video… well listened to it anyways while I went about and honestly, I feel that what he says about lack-luster teachers is true. That they don’t give enough room for students to be creative, that the teachers force the importance of SAT’s and standardized tests too far instead of letting students construct subjects they are drawn towards. School’s focus more on the structure of a linear education, conducted monotonously, leaving little room for students to discover who they really are. Not to mention he has some ridiculous metaphors.</p>

<p>I’m assuming what it comes down to though is how far the teacher will take for granted the typical lesson plans. If they were open enough and willing to make the classroom a more creative environment, I’m sure it wouldn’t be all too difficult. It comes down to how willing and serious they are.</p>

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<p>Absolutely hilarious, and so true. Good luck to the both of us on this one, ha. </p>

<p>I’ve been hearing advice from several other friends also and I’m beginning to lean more towards English but my decision isn’t definite and I still need to make the decision whether to transfer to an entire new school, or go back to the original school i attended first semester…</p>

<p>The high school I attended had great fine arts teachers who produced a lot of art themselves and encouraged their students to do so too. I loved art and took many courses in it. I even sold some stuff. But I was afraid that tethering my affection for art to a job with deadlines would kill it. So I studied something practical.</p>

<p>I like my practical job, but the older I get, the more I wish for more creativity in my daily life. It might have not paid the bills earlier in life, but it would nourish me more now.</p>

<p>(BTW, had you stuck with engineering long enough to be proficient, it would have provided you with its own sort of creativity. After all, engineers invent and build stuff!)</p>

<p>Most education programs require you to pick and become licensed in at least two areas, so you really don’t have to pick between art and English.</p>

<p>Tommyrose: I work in a teacher education program at a New England college. I would like to add a little reality to this discussion. First of all, your assumption about teaching being a profession in which you’ll be “freely drawing out lesson plans and also I won’t have to worry about any rigid structure governing every calculation I’m to make.” is inaccurate. Ever heard of No Child Left Behind? State standards? Federal guidelines? School policies? Teaching is an amazingly rewarding and challenging profession, but don’t go into it for those reasons. Become a teacher because you are passionate about sharing knowledge and skills, connecting with and aiding young people, and willing to work very, very hard. Good teachers have their hearts and minds in their jobs, not just one or the other.</p>

<p>Next, the choice of what to teach. This is not just about what interests you, and what you are good at, though those are two important factors. It’s also about meeting state guidelines for teacher certification. You have to complete a certain number of credits in the certification area (usually an undergrad major), with a minimum GPA (in my state it’s 3.0), and both breadth and depth in your studies. So if you want to be an art teacher, you would major in art, and be sure to both delve deeply into whatever art form most interests you, and also take a cross-section of various art forms.</p>

<p>The person who said most colleges want you to get teacher certification in more than one field is not correct. States have made this much more difficult than it used to be. Just like lots of other professions, teachers specialize. It is doable, but it will add time to your college years.</p>

<p>Lastly, I do not know how concerned you are about the job market after you graduate, but you may want to research this while you are making your decisions. There are “high need areas” in teaching laid out by both the feds and individual states. There are more jobs in these areas, as well as more financial aid.</p>

<p>Since you have a lot to decide, you may want to start out by volunteering or substitute teaching in a school to get a feel for what works for you and what doesn’t. This experience will also serve you well when applying for jobs later. Good luck!</p>

<p>I’d also recommend NOT thinking that this is a job where you only teach 6 months out of the year. Teaching is TIME INTENSIVE. Many evenings are spent up late grading papers and planning your lessons, finding resources, figuring out how to reteach subjects that you’ve covered AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. People tend to think that they’ll teach because it is “easy”, but I agree with muddaof2 - really think about it and see if you can intern or sub before you decide. It’s a FUN job, but you really have to be committed and love what you do.</p>

<p>As a high school teacher, I always tell my kids that where you go to college and what you study has little to do with your future carreer.</p>

<p>Think about where it is you want to continue to evolve for the next four years. It’s about rounding yourself off as a grown up.</p>

<p>Save the carreer concerns for grad school. :}</p>