Which of these two options is better?

[janeng]

I see my fall semester being one of these two situations, and I would like feedback as to what others think is the more appealing choice.  I'm listing "positives" of each, but some things are just neutral details, or perhaps a con

Comments

fgf

[janeng]

Thanks. I really appreciate your feedback and opinion. Yeah, I realize people are biased toward academia, but I don't blame them, really. Even I'm biased toward academia; hence, my conflicting feelings about the options. I don't want to sell myself short by not going into academia (or even just enjoying it for a couple more years)

Really, this isn't a matter of "which one will I be happy in"; I could be happy in either; I've taught briefly at both levels (high school and college) and find them both appealing. It's a matter of wishing I knew which one I am really cut out for as a long-term career. If some omniscient force could tell me for sure, right now, that I'm not meant to be in academia beyond an M.A., nor am I meant to teach college, I'd feel no sorrow about choosing a more high-school type of track. And vice versa. It's the not-knowing yet which I'm really cut out for...

Yes, if I have to do option A, even if the money will be nice, I know damn well I'm in for a hectic life. Seriously. I think I can do it, but I know I'll feel mentally exhausted. The only thing that gives me hope that I can manage is that I have a friend who is doing her PhD in Literature; she works a full-time job and also has two kids to take care of. So I have no children and would just have to do the full-time job and evening classes. (though when said job is a teaching one, it's a hell of a lot of work).

Re: fgf

[solipsismsaves]

I teach high school full time AND am working on a degree full-time (that's 4 night classes!) It's doable, trust me. And one really lends to the other.

Re: fgf

[janeng]

Really? That's great. Now I'm really confused. Some people say they do it no problem. Others say it's hell that cannot be avoided no matter how organized you are. I'm not sure what to think. I will say that I do fall on the high end of the spectrum (as far as organization and time-management), but some claim that even the most organized person is still in for hell.
Anyway, you do give me hope, anyway, that it can be done.

Re: fgf

[janeng]

I've thought that too -- that being an English teacher by day and a English student by night are a great complement. What subject did you say you teach? Just curious...

Re: fgf

[solipsismsaves]

I designed the curriculum for and teach: Language and Composition, American Lit, British Lit, World Lit, AP Lit, and Contemporary Lit.

Re: fgf

[roseofjuly]

I don't think it's so much what you "are meant for" or "cut out for" but is honestly more about your wishes and desires and what you are willing to work for, and whether those wishes and desires match the soft skills and personality that you have. I've heard people say that if there's anything else you can imagine yourself doing besides academia, do that. I don't espouse that belief myself because I think not being able to imagine yourself doing anything else is a product of inexperience, not singular devotion; you can recognize that your skills could be well-played somewhere else and still really want to do something.

Basically, my thoughts are if you're not really sure which one you want to do, you should take the option that will give you the most postgraduate opportunities. Honestly, that is B. Since you are already a teacher you already have experience within K-12 systems; being a full-time, daytime on-campus student with a TAship is going to integrate you into academia far more than you could hope to be with option A. I should think that it would be much easier for you to transition from an MA to a teaching position at a high school later.