Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans (2612 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.34 on 45 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Lojope <lojope.at.juno.com> (View user info) at 2005-02-28 09:39:17 EST
I don't know where I'm going right now, and it scares the shit out of me.
My whole life, I have wanted to be a teacher. I was never one of those kids who wanted to be a fireman one week, and a movie star the next. In third grade I decided, and I've stuck to it since then. I'm currently in college, and getting my degree to be exactly what I've wanted to be since I was 8 years old.
Over winter break, I got a job to pay for my books in the spring semester. A friend of mine worked for a grassroots environmental organization last summer, and got me an interview there over Christmas. The plan was, I'd work over break to train so I'd be all ready to jump in next summer.
I've always sort of been an activist without a cause. I had the desire to DO something with my life. To be directly involved in changing things for the better. But I never really knew what to do. Never knew where to get started. Didn't know how to pick a cause to dedicate myself to.
I've always cared about the environment. I recycle, I cut up my plasic six-pack holders to save fishies from getting caught. I do all that stuff. But I never really considered how much more I could do.
Until I started working at the office.
The glitch is, I love this job. LOVE it. Even though I'm back in school, I go to staff night every Thursday. My body heat rises and my heart pounds as I listen to what my coworkers are accomplishing without me. It excites me. And makes me sad. I want to be with them. I want to do the work. And I think I want to do it as a career.
My schooling is suffering, because I feel like I'm no longer heading in the direction that will make me happy. Every morning I drive to my first class, wishing I was heading to the office. The idea of being a teacher no longer thrills me like it used to. I feel like I'm wasting my time.
What makes it worse, is that I could. I could drop out today, and go back to work tomorrow. My boss said he'd love to have me. My coworkers miss me. It's so tempting. Even just writing that makes me smile.
I could live on the income, I'm good at the job and I could move up the ranks without a degree. I could literally do this work for the rest of my life. I'd be happy. I'd feel like I was really DOING something with my life.
But of course, there's a very old argument against this kind of seemingly wonderful plan. I can almost hear my mother, "When you're 40 you're going to wish you'd gotten your degree before it was too late. You don't KNOW that you'll work there forever, and if something happens, then what? You'll be poor and have no qualifications to get a job you can survive on."
It makes sense, I see her point. I DO fear what would happen if I really made the choice to leave school and make this job my career.
But it's nagging me and just won't stop. It's what I want. It's where I see myself. It's what would make me happy and fulfilled. It's a life I would be proud to live. It's the road my feet are aching for.
And all other paths just feel wrong.
User Reviews
Submitted by BrittInToledo (user info) at 2005-03-04 22:48:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Same thing went on in my head. I was going for a secondary education degree at the University of Akron and I worked at a local pharmacy to pay the bills. I realized that my passion was in pharmacy, not education, even though I love kids to death. So I packed my bags and transferred to the University of Toledo and I am a first year pharmacy student making it happen.
Think about what would absolutely make you the happiest. Good luck!
Submitted by urbaneruralite (user info) at 2005-03-04 22:22:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Environmental engineering?
Environmental law?
Something you can actually do some real work with instead of going around talking about horrible everyone should feel because of pollution?
A graduate degree is the minimum these days, anyway. A master's degree or higher qualifies you to teach.
Get 'er done.
Submitted by Demolocke (user info) at 2005-03-04 21:22:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I can't give you advice on what to do but I can give you this +2.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-03-04 21:04:29 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Timmah,
If you consider the very real possibility of running out of unpolluted fresh water to drink boring bullshit... (New York - Wetlands naturally filter drinking water, and people "fill in" wetlands. The Great Lakes also lose tons of water a day.)
If you consider companies regularly emitting chemicals that literally slaughter the people in the community around them boring bullshit... (Texas and Ohio)
If you consider developing on green open spaces instead of redeveloping already existing deserted buildings until there is nothing left but pavement and garbage boring bullshit... (Everywhere, but NY especially)
If you consider millions of gallons of sewage being dumped monthly into bodies of water where people swim and fish boring bullshit... (Florida - want to go for a vacation and swim in human feces?)
If you consider ovarian cancer and deformed children being born regularly because of toxic metals in computers that are not disposed of properly boring bullshit... (California - Apple Computers is the biggest offender)
Then yes, I absolutely do "harass people with boring bullshit".
Of course... it's really not that boring to the people who are ingesting mercury and cadmium and about a hundred other carcinogens everyday. And it's really not that boring to the mothers of the children who've died. And it really won't be that boring to everyone on the planet when drinkable water become a more expensive commodity than oil.
But that's ok, you don't have to care. But the reason you don't have to care, is because people like my coworkers and me DO care. We take care of it, because there are too many people like you who won't.
Submitted by Timmah (user info) at 2005-03-04 13:26:03 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 19:38:30 (#)
Ranking: 0
The job I currently have is canvassing for an environmental group. We go door-to-door educating the public on whatever the current issue we're working on is (what's happening now and what should be happening etc), getting signatures on petitions, doing fundraising, and showing/getting people to write letters to their legislators about the problem.
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In other words you harass people with boring bullshit until they give in and sign your piece of paper?
Submitted by Durae (user info) at 2005-03-03 19:18:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
my review was so caustic... heh :)
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 23:57:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I guess I kinda did, Dave.... sigh. This is huge. I don't like crossroads of life.
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-02-28 19:52:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Sounds like you have made your own arguement below.
-Dave
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 19:38:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
The job I currently have is canvassing for an environmental group. We go door-to-door educating the public on whatever the current issue we're working on is (what's happening now and what should be happening etc), getting signatures on petitions, doing fundraising, and showing/getting people to write letters to their legislators about the problem.
Higher-ups in the organization also do lobbying and public hearings and meet/work with governmental agencies like the EPA.
We have sister orgs who teach people how to moniter their own neighborhoods for hazards, how to test their own air and water, etc and what to look for.
And finally, there is a research and developement institute thats part of our network as well.
Like I said, right now I do the canvassing, but I have found that I actually have a skill at it, and could move up the ladder rather quickly, or at whatever pace I choose, basically.
The org is not for profit, but it pays a comfortable living wage. I'd never be rich, but I've never been rich, so that doesn't bother me. It would support me and my son, so that's all I need.
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2005-02-28 18:55:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
What is the job, exactly?
Submitted by Davros (user info) at 2005-02-28 18:52:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I can relate.
I wanted to be a Teacher from about 12 years old.
I followed the plan, went to study to do this then realised that I wasn't sure anymore.
I realised my degree would be useless so dropped out.
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On a side note......
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:22:05 (#)
Ranking: 0
You've already answered your own question. Leave school and take the job. There is nothing to stop you getting that degree when you're older and, perhaps, when you're older you'll realise that a piece of paper doesn't guarentee job security or a sense of well-being.
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I don't know the situation in the US, but this side of the pond, more and more people are going back to college at later ages.
Be happy, that is the main thing.
-Dave
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2005-02-28 18:52:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
OK you get +2 on the basis that AS i read the title, my CD player played that line. At the EXACT SAME TIME! Like it was dictating! WEIRD!
Submitted by mystiamoon (user info) at 2005-02-28 18:39:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well, can't you cut your classes back after this term and just work towards your degree much slower?
You could work more and be in school less and still eventually have that degree to fall back on.
I work with people who have gotten nursing and teaching degrees 2 classes at a time. It takes longer, but it allows them to work full time while they get a degree.
Submitted by Durae (user info) at 2005-02-28 16:14:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
that place is a cult. you have a good thing going with school right now. It doesn't offer you all of the support and immediate gratification that that fucking place gives constantly, but that doesn't mean it's without value - that doesn't mean that being a teacher is without value. You haven't BEEN a teacher yet, so all of these people telling you that it's better to run away from your career are just fucking bitter because they made dumb choices. If you're unhappy being a teacher, Then you need to change directions, and you'll still be able to.
You have breaks to work there. You still see them every week. You don't need to do it every day - and maybe after being there for longer than a month you'd get tired of it the way I did.
This job, although the people/hierarchies/purposes are cool, doesn't get you much money, it's absolutely exhausting and consumes your life, and I think it's just a shiny object on your path to something else. It's a mind fuck where everyone becomes your best friend and your bosses get paid to be as supportive and reassuring as is profitable, fostering an ambience akin to a support group. Not to mention the organization is perpetually stuck in a rut of tiny, local campaigns, nitpicky imaginary accomplishments (aided and won by the much larger and better funded nationals), while the evil lobbyists with Real Money take so many more steps than the grassroots bullshit, that you're always losing the race.
But if you want to believe in fairy tales and get a pat on the back every few minutes, maybe that's the place for you.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 14:01:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Hey, Fartman, it seemed pretty obvious to me that anyone who hadn't been living under a rock for the last 30 years or who wasn't a complete moron would know that John Lennon wrote the lyrics I used for the title. Besides, those lyrics aren't really his either. It's a pretty common saying, probably from before he was even born. Thanks for stopping by, cunt.
Submitted by BongZilla (user info) at 2005-02-28 13:50:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I know the feeling lojo. My whole life I've been planning on being a doctor, college classes have all been arranged to look good on a med school app. Then a year and a half ago I got through taking o chem and decided I loathed science and actually enjoyed english/writing/abstract thought. So now Im going to law school.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-02-28 13:46:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
they say everyone has several careers now- and you will take all the experience from your old job into teaching.
I'm in my 7th year of teaching, and I'm glad I stuck it out- it was a pretty rubbish job to start with but I enjoy it now. Plus I get 13 weeks holiday a year.
Submitted by Wazza (user info) at 2005-02-28 13:42:14 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
All roads lead to where you stand.
Submitted by creep_firebombing (user info) at 2005-02-28 13:41:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Stay in school. I wish I went to college.
I'm a b-boy
Standin in my b-boy stance
Hurry up and give me the microphone before I bust in my pants
The mad author of anguish
My language, Polluted
Onyx is heavyweight (Sonsee: And still undisputed!!)
He took the words right out my mouth and walked a mile in my shoes
I've paid so many dues, I feel used and abused
And I'm.... so confused
umm, excuse me, for example
I'm the inspiration, for a WHOLE generation
And unless you got 10 SSsssticky Fingers
Its straight immitation
A figment, of your imagination
But but but but wait it gets worse!!
I'm not watered down so I'm dyin of thirst
Comin thru wit a scam, a fullproof plan
B-boys make some noise, and just, JUST SLAM!
Submitted by Pentameter (user info) at 2005-02-28 13:29:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Having that piece of paper means one thing to a future employer - that you can follow through with something that you started.
I have my degree in English and basically chose that because there's a lot I can do with it. If you choose a course of study that is more general instead of something that's specific, you'll be able to have many different careers instead of having to be retrained.
You do have to follow your heart...but who says you can't do both?
Submitted by tidalfae (user info) at 2005-02-28 12:32:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i have the opposite problem- i am not satisfied with my job and want to go back to school.
Unfortunately, I dont have enough dead presidents in my bank account to do so.
Stay in school, the job will still be there later.
Good luck.
Submitted by Fartman (user info) at 2005-02-28 12:30:38 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:22:05 (#)
Ranking: 0
You've already answered your own question. Leave school and take the job. There is nothing to stop you getting that degree when you're older and, perhaps, when you're older you'll realise that a piece of paper doesn't guarentee job security or a sense of well-being.
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This is the worst fucking advice I've ever seen. This statement completely misses the point of the title of the post, which, by the way, gets -2 for no cred to Lennon you theiving ho.
Submitted by ess-arr (user info) at 2005-02-28 11:32:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
forks in the road...
i'm in a bit of the same pickle. I graduated 3 years ago but have decided to go back to school and get my bachelors in Education yet that means a year with no work and no money, with a car, appartment and 4 hockey leagues that is scary business.
Plus I have been working in a high School for two years now as a full time Sub, and not sure if I want to do this full time. Maybe I got my fix and want to do something else.
I kind of have to make a decision soon because my application to school is due tomorrow...
Submitted by DeadHorse (user info) at 2005-02-28 11:09:19 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
A career in pornography is always an option.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-02-28 11:03:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Life is full of tough decisions. My advice, stay in school. In long run, you'll benefit more from having that piece of paper.
Submitted by cuberat (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:51:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Lojope, Ive got the perfect job for you:
Environmental Science Teacher.
I took AP Environmental Science in HS and it was awesome because the teacher was really into the cause and into nature and it reflected in his teaching.
Why don't you bridge the two? Then you can still teach and still make a difference about the environment - and to boot you can influence the youth so that they will be motivated to make a difference too.
Submitted by Hadooken (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:44:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
i never really got people who always say, "money cant buy you happiness", i mean to an extent its true, but if you are broke as shit, dont own nothing, have shit for credit, collectors chasing you down, and barely making it paycheck to paycheck i fail to see where being happy comes in to play.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:38:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:45:38 (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck school. 18 years of it and I'm no better off.
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I think you and I are on similar pages today. You've already rated my Blog, so assuming you read it, take note. I kept my head down all through school thinking it would be better and I would be happy when I got done.
And then the day-to-day starts. Being unfulfilled by what you do EVERY DAY is a bad thing. I'm telling you.
Follow your passion. Live for something.
That being said, I would think your best course now would be to find a major that will help you do what you WANT TO BE DOING. Yes. That WILL mean more school and more money. There is no getting around that. But there have got to be a TON of scholarship opportunities for someone like you. Look into that vigorously. Make the change and reep the rewards later on.
You can't put a price on being happy with your life.
Submitted by FilthyAssistant (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:22:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
You've already answered your own question. Leave school and take the job. There is nothing to stop you getting that degree when you're older and, perhaps, when you're older you'll realise that a piece of paper doesn't guarentee job security or a sense of well-being.
Submitted by JohnGalt (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:12:31 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:04:15 (#)
Ranking: 0
I actually thought of that, JG, and decided that if I homeschooled him, I could spend the mornings with him doing schoolwork and stuff, and then he could still go to afternoon daycare till he got old enough to be home alone.
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I thought of that after I replied. Actually, that's kind of the best of both worlds isn't it? He gets a better education, you still get to be a teacher, he gets social interaction in the afternoons and you get to do what you love.
Let me know when you get past the 7th grade math and can't teach it anymore. I'll be glad to fill in. For a fee of course.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:09:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Make your decision AFTER you get your degree, dumbass.
Because by next week, you may want to be a fireman.
Submitted by Adamdidit2u (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:06:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Get the degree first, you'll feel better about having accomplished something later on in life, not to mention it will always leave you more options in life
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:04:15 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I actually thought of that, JG, and decided that if I homeschooled him, I could spend the mornings with him doing schoolwork and stuff, and then he could still go to afternoon daycare till he got old enough to be home alone.
Submitted by Hadooken (user info) at 2005-02-28 10:04:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
at the risk of sounding like a nagging parent, i would finish school if i were you. too much time and money has been invested in your education for you to just throw it all away on a whim. after you finish school the job will probably still be there, and if it isn't you won't be hung out to dry because you got your degree and can still make it on your own.
Submitted by JohnGalt (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:59:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
See, this is the point where ideals and reality clash. Based on ideals I'd tell you to go for it. To hell with school if it isn't what you want. What you want now is what matters, not what you wanted when you were 8. Do whatever makes you happy.
But there's a problem. The shift for your job lets you see your son a lot right now. You can spend all morning with him and then go to work in the afternoon. But what happens when he's a little older and he starts school? He'll leave early in the morning and won't be home in the afternoon until after you leave for work, and he'll go to bed before you get home.
Anyway, my best advice...ignore every last bit of advice anyone gives you. They're all morons anyway.
Submitted by lojope (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:55:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
The hours of the job would make it impossible to do both at the same time. It's easily 50 hours a week, sometimes more, and I have to spend the time left over with my son or I'd never see him.
Submitted by zakalwe (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:51:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
What QA said.
I've been at uni two and a half years now, and am bored stiff of classes. But I'm going to finish and get my degree rather than throw away all that effort.
Submitted by QueenAshlee (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:49:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Couldn't you finish getting your degree and THEN go back? Or change your class schedule around so that you can work and go to school at the same time? It's not like it's uncommon for college students to have jobs.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:47:43 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I loved my college job too. There's really no money working for the park system cutting grass all day though. I'm better off with my real degree and real job. I can always go back and work in a park when I'm old and retired.
Submitted by GodChicken (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:47:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
SO make your focus towards being an environmental science teacher. Then you can go to them with the kind of education that'll make you even more useful.
Submitted by fudgepacker (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:47:10 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
+2 for having the cojones to admit the uncertainties most post-baccalaureate students have in the months following graduation. Best advice would be to listen to your mom and stick with school for now. You're still young so there's tons of time to do anything and everything.
Oh....and great John Lennon lyric.
Submitted by MickGinny (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:46:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
when youre thirty start paying a little bit of attention to the nagging. But until then dont hitch yourself to only one wagon....Hippie...
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:46:21 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Happiness doesn't pay the bills. Keep your eyes on the prize.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:45:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fuck school. 18 years of it and I'm no better off.
Submitted by Faithless_Whisper (user info) at 2005-02-28 09:42:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I wish I liked my job that much.