Simple but devastatinsly effective
I work in a job that I REALLY haven't enjoyed for over 10 years. Unfortunately I have always suffered from depression and that has always made it a terrifying concept to go out and start again at something I might enjoy. Luckily I work with a fairly decent bunch that have managed to keep me from topping myself. But that still doesn't make it right and I've always known that I needed to get myself out and do something a bit more meaningful with my life. A while back, the youngest lad in the office who I've never credited with much of an intellect (we have a list of his quotes in the office, including the classic pronouncement before he went to a re-enactment banquet where "they would be drinking out of goblins") sat listening to me whingeing about another shit day but that my friends told me that I would make a great teacher. However, I said, I could never do it as it would be way too difficult. He looked thoughtful for a second and then came out with one of the most profound truths I have ever heard: "Just do it. It's better to be at the bottom of a ladder that you want to climb than half way up one you don't want to be on anymore". My jaw dropped in astonishment. How had I missed this for so long? I went home that night and arranged a week at my nieces school. I loved it. Next year I will be living with my parents while I do a PGCE. It might be fucking tough but it will be well worth it. Thank you Andy. I fucking love you.
(Bearos, Sat 22 May 2010, 18:01, 7 replies)

I'm not sure that this proves you were wrong about Andy's intellect,
only that he has watched The Office and you evidently haven't.
(Pingoo likes cheese, Sat 22 May 2010, 18:53, closed)

Paragraphs are your friend.
Unfortunately I can't read a post without them.
(Evilweevil is covered in bees, Sat 22 May 2010, 20:58, closed)

You have made the right decision
I spent 10 years working in a fairly entertaining job I enjoyed but it didn't have much of a future. I finally got round to doing my PGCE and I finish in a couple of months. It's proper hard work but by crikey is it rewarding! Best decision I ever made, very good luck to you
(toomanypies, Sat 22 May 2010, 23:36, closed)

I concur
25 years ago I had a choice. Law, or an HGV licence. Law took 3 years, cost £5K. HGV took 2 weeks, cost £800.

HGV's been fun, but due to a legacy I'm doing a law degree. Even more fun than HGV, with no heavy lifting.
(all my scars face forward possesses 2.5% of a hyperalloy combat chassis, Sun 23 May 2010, 0:00, closed)

Teaching
Yes, it's a bloody tough job at times but, and this is a sir mix-a-lot sized but here, name me one other job with anything like the satisfaction you get when a bunch of sprogs get really inspired with the subject and you're getting paid a decent wage with 5 months paid leave a year.

I bloody love being a teacher, most of the time.
(71 hour Ahmed wasn't working at, Sun 23 May 2010, 18:29, closed)

Good luck and all that, but when you qualify....
...don't start twatting the little feckers round the noggin with a dumbbell.

And don't harp on about how hard you work, how stressful the job is, and how you have no choice but to take your holidays at the most expensive time of the year. Just saying, s'all.
(Tighthead, Mon 24 May 2010, 12:51, closed)

Yup.
Because most other (non-skiver) work every bit as hard; are every bit as stressed (management is universally mostly rubbish and co-workers can be just as frustrating as unruly pupils); put in even longer hours; can't take their work into the garden and do it while lying on the grass (like teachers can with marking); get 4 or 5 weeks' holiday per year, maximum, and there's no such thing as "cover" to do your job while you're away - it just piles up, waiting for you to get back.

And almost all jobs never have the eureka moment when a kid gets it that teachers say is what makes it all worthwhile - most non-teachers (including me) are a bit jealous of that part, which may be part of the motivation for minimising the work that teachers do.

But, admit it teachers, there is a definite culture of complaining in teaching.
( shinyshinyscalp less a man, more a way of life, Wed 26 May 2010, 11:59, closed)