I have had some interest in being a literature or history teacher, but don’t think ESL or Special Education would be a good fit for me. I have people recommend those jobs because I’m autistic, low undergrad GPA in Communications (would need a different degree), and because they are higher in demand, but I don’t think they would fit my interests. The part of English I like is creative writing, and literature, which is not used much in ESL. And special education sounds like an incredibly stressful job that involves a lot of patience, multi-tasking, and higher stress levels. I’m just think those are jobs you should choose as a lifelong career only if you are passionate about it, which I’m am not.
I advise that you absolutely do not go into ESL or Special Ed just because of current higher demand. You are correct that these careers are passion-based. Also, many schools will not allow you to drop a licensure area once hired, so you run the risk of being reassigned to ESL or Special Ed at any time in your 35 year career, even if you eventually score a desired ELA or history position.
Thanks for the advice.
Plus, don’t you have to be bilingual or fluent in another language. Because I’m not.