2 answers
Sammy
Student
Mesa, Arizona
3
Questions
Updated
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I want to be a 7th Grade Math Teacher for 5 years. Then I want to work to be a Medical Assistant after being a teacher for 5 years.
I aspire to pursue two fulfilling careers: being a 7th grade math teacher and a Medical Assistant. How can I balance the education and training required for both jobs, successfully working in each field during my lifetime, and feel accomplished in these roles by the time I retire?
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2 answers
Cheri Hall
Physical Therapist
46
Answers
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Updated
Cheri’s Answer
Hello Sammy,
It's fantastic that you've identified two admirable career paths for yourself! Both teaching and serving as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) can be incredibly rewarding, albeit they're quite distinct professions. While I can't provide a definitive roadmap for you, I can certainly offer some factors for you to ponder over.
To become a CMA, you're required to undertake postsecondary education, typically a certificate. This is usually achieved at a community college or an institution that focuses on healthcare training. Some individuals enter this field with just a high school diploma, gaining knowledge through specialized on-the-job training programs. This implies that the journey to becoming a CMA is shorter than that of a 7th-grade teacher. In general, to become a teacher, you'll need to go to a 4-year college and major in education to earn your bachelor's degree. Alternatively, you could first get your associate's degree at a community college and then spend the remaining 2 years at a 4-year college. Both the CMA and teaching professions require you to pass licensure exams.
Given this information, it might be feasible for you to work as a CMA while you start working towards your teaching degree. The healthcare sector might offer more flexible working hours, giving you more time to work on your next degree. It could be challenging to teach while pursuing another certification degree due to the significant amount of work teachers often bring home. After school hours, teachers typically have to prepare lesson plans for the next day, grade papers, and respond to parents' emails, tasks that they usually don't have time to complete during the school day.
If you're curious about the day-to-day experiences in each profession, it would be beneficial to ask one of your teachers about their daily routine. Similarly, you could request to shadow a medical assistant at a doctor's office to get a firsthand look at their daily duties. This could help you decide which career path to embark on first.
Best of luck on your journey!
It's fantastic that you've identified two admirable career paths for yourself! Both teaching and serving as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) can be incredibly rewarding, albeit they're quite distinct professions. While I can't provide a definitive roadmap for you, I can certainly offer some factors for you to ponder over.
To become a CMA, you're required to undertake postsecondary education, typically a certificate. This is usually achieved at a community college or an institution that focuses on healthcare training. Some individuals enter this field with just a high school diploma, gaining knowledge through specialized on-the-job training programs. This implies that the journey to becoming a CMA is shorter than that of a 7th-grade teacher. In general, to become a teacher, you'll need to go to a 4-year college and major in education to earn your bachelor's degree. Alternatively, you could first get your associate's degree at a community college and then spend the remaining 2 years at a 4-year college. Both the CMA and teaching professions require you to pass licensure exams.
Given this information, it might be feasible for you to work as a CMA while you start working towards your teaching degree. The healthcare sector might offer more flexible working hours, giving you more time to work on your next degree. It could be challenging to teach while pursuing another certification degree due to the significant amount of work teachers often bring home. After school hours, teachers typically have to prepare lesson plans for the next day, grade papers, and respond to parents' emails, tasks that they usually don't have time to complete during the school day.
If you're curious about the day-to-day experiences in each profession, it would be beneficial to ask one of your teachers about their daily routine. Similarly, you could request to shadow a medical assistant at a doctor's office to get a firsthand look at their daily duties. This could help you decide which career path to embark on first.
Best of luck on your journey!
Thank you so much, Cheri!
Sammy
Tamara Jean
Digital Marketing Manager
4
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Tamara’s Answer
Hey there! It’s great to hear about your aspirations to be both a 7th-grade math teacher and a medical assistant. As a former middle school math teacher myself, I understand the journey you're looking to take, and I know it can feel a bit daunting to balance two different career paths.
Starting off as a 7th-grade math teacher means you'll need a bachelor’s degree in education or mathematics, along with a teaching credential. This typically involves student teaching and passing some exams. Teaching can be incredibly rewarding, and after five years, you'll have a solid foundation in the classroom, which will definitely serve you well.
Transitioning to a medical assistant role will require additional training. Medical assistants usually need a certificate or diploma from a recognized program, which can often be completed in about a year. Some community colleges offer these programs, and they typically include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. It might be helpful to take some time while teaching to look into these programs, so you can be prepared when you're ready to make the switch.
Balancing both careers can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable! You might consider teaching while you pursue your medical assistant training. Many programs offer evening or online classes, which could fit around your teaching schedule. This way, you can build skills in both areas without feeling rushed.
Feeling accomplished in both roles is all about setting realistic goals and being flexible. As you transition from teaching to healthcare, keep in mind that your teaching experience will bring valuable skills to your new role, like communication and organization.
Remember, it's okay to have concerns about making such a big switch. Take your time, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support from others who have made similar transitions. You’ve got a great plan ahead, and with dedication, you can absolutely achieve both careers and feel fulfilled in each!
Starting off as a 7th-grade math teacher means you'll need a bachelor’s degree in education or mathematics, along with a teaching credential. This typically involves student teaching and passing some exams. Teaching can be incredibly rewarding, and after five years, you'll have a solid foundation in the classroom, which will definitely serve you well.
Transitioning to a medical assistant role will require additional training. Medical assistants usually need a certificate or diploma from a recognized program, which can often be completed in about a year. Some community colleges offer these programs, and they typically include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. It might be helpful to take some time while teaching to look into these programs, so you can be prepared when you're ready to make the switch.
Balancing both careers can be challenging, but it’s definitely doable! You might consider teaching while you pursue your medical assistant training. Many programs offer evening or online classes, which could fit around your teaching schedule. This way, you can build skills in both areas without feeling rushed.
Feeling accomplished in both roles is all about setting realistic goals and being flexible. As you transition from teaching to healthcare, keep in mind that your teaching experience will bring valuable skills to your new role, like communication and organization.
Remember, it's okay to have concerns about making such a big switch. Take your time, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support from others who have made similar transitions. You’ve got a great plan ahead, and with dedication, you can absolutely achieve both careers and feel fulfilled in each!
Thank you so much! Your response made me even more confident in what I want to do. I will also be having a Medical Assistant certification the end of the year (i’m in 12th grade) for my Medical Assistant class, so this will definitely help me!
Sammy