Will I still love my job in 20 years?
I know that I want to work in the early childhood field. I work in it now and am pursuing a degree. Will my passion still be there after 20 Years? What should I do if it changes? #education #teaching-adults
10 answers
Emilia J.’s Answer
Hi Jordan!
I really appreciate your question as I recently went through a career change, which really reflects the advice given by Alyssa, Kara and Delia!
I worked in the fashion industry for 7 years, and during that time I noticed a lot was changing within the industry in terms of what is expected of employees and students in the field - and this goes in line with Alyssa's and Delia's answers - how to be self-aware, flexible and knowing your good qualities! I loved working with people (designers, seamstresses and factories), but I realized that I really enjoyed working with students who interned with us! I co-ordinated jobs and tasks to these students, and I took it upon myself to explain to the students why certain jobs (which may appear "menial" or "boring") was incredibly crucial to the whole company. I found something that I felt I can be good at and offer to the ever-changing fashion industry - and this goes back to Kara's advice - be aware of what you are good at!
I may have changed my career from working in the studio to the classroom, but the industry I specialize in remains the same! I just shifted my focus to what I can really offer as the industry developed and changed.
Delia’s Answer
Hello Jordan:
I have been in education for over 20 years. Remembering the answers to these questions may help you remain excited and hopeful in this work.
1) What is your "why" for going into this field?
2) What do you value most about doing this work?
Also, being flexible and just as Alyssa said, reinventing yourself. I was able to stay in an ever changing landscape through newly implemented school reform, and other initiatives by knowing initially that change is inevitable, generalizing the common information from my knowledge base, and and learning the new processes, jargon, or procedures and staying focused on the students. Stay gumby!!
All the best as you serve children!!
Delia Davis
Delia recommends the following next steps:
Michael’s Answer
I was in the field of “Special Education “ for over 39 years. My goal was to reach as many lives as I could through teaching of Life’s skills. To have each person reach and sometimes exceed their performance potential. My students were written-off as people who could do nothing with their lives. I set out to prove that concept was wrong. Everyday was a new day for me as I awoke excited to go to school. My challenges were always there.
How can I get Julia to look at me?
How can I get Peter to eat more and more independently?
How can I make Andrew walk around the school hallways by himself?
It took many trials and practice and more trials but in the end it was worth it.
Julia started to look at me and others when I played the keyboard.
Peter started to open his mouth for pudding. Next he wanted more pudding so I handed him a spoon with pudding on it and guess what he did?
Next he loaded up his own spoon and it had pudding and real food on it. It ended up in his mouth too.
Andrew stood up using a gate trainer. A device that helps people of all ages walk by themselves. He would then sit down right away because he was scared. Practice( doing it the right way) made perfect. When the end of the school year came he was walking with confidence as independently as he could around school and around
WALMART aisles!!!!
In short no two days were the same in my field. No time to get board.
Sure routines were necessary and it could get boring but I placed myself in my students’ positions and that never happened.
The biggest thrill I ever got was when a parent said to me “aren’t you the teacher of Paul?
You had him when he was 5 years old.” She was a cashier at Walmart that was checking our class’ groceries out with my student Johnny handing her a dollar bill.
I said yes Mrs Smith. What is Paul doing now. She said working here.
Hang in there. It is worth it.
Just find your calling!!
Sonya’s Answer
I keep the reason why I chose to become a teacher in my mind every day. This helps me to remain passionate about what I do. Now, I am doing things that I would not have imagined doing five years ago. I believe you will know when it is time for a change.
Kara’s Answer
Hi Jordan, This is a great question! I highly encourage you to read the book "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport. This book debunks the cliche "follow your passion". In the book, Cal Newport describes his method-: learning and understanding what you're good at, and your passion will follow. If you are doing what you are genuinely good at; your passion will remain!
Yasemin’s Answer
I hope this helps!
Best of luck!
Cynthia’s Answer
Alyssa’s Answer
Hi Jordan.
I have been in the same field for over 20 years and still love it. That being said, it is completely different now than when it started. I think the key is to keep reinventing the position. Learn more, do more, stay engaged. You can always change careers down the road if that is the right answer at that time. You control your own future.
Alyssa
Kim’s Answer
Good luck and enjoy!
Mia’s Answer
Thats a very important question as you have chosen one of the most important professions there is. My advice to you is to find and take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow so that as the years go by, you also grow with time and your profession. If you have a chance to take classes to expand your skills or go to a seminar that develops interests that are related to what you do, go for it because these are all ways to figuratively and literally open different doors for you.
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