in case you were wondering, i don't plan on being a lady of leisure much longer. indeed, i have a plan. i know, i've had quite a few plans in the last few years. let's see....there was grad school for library science, there was talk of going back for psychology, then the law school ordeal. i can't even remember what i wanted to do when i was in college. i really don't think i had a plan. and here i am.
it's too hard to decide what to do for the rest of your life. how do people know? how do you guys do it? i can't commit. to anything. unfortunately, most of the careers that interest me require advanced degrees. going back to school = major commitment. therefore, i back out at the last minute. its the fear that gets me! though i think i was right to back out of law school. i'm pretty sure i would be miserable right now if i had gone through with it. 80 hours a week is no way to live. i like life.
here are a few things holding me back, careerwise:
1) i am a person divided. i have two sides that are in conflict with each other. i am artistic, creative, and bohemian, yet i have a nerd inside me too. i like geeky books and science and writing a lot. i was always afraid that an art job (like graphic design) would be intellectually unsatisfying. but a smarty-pants job (like law) would be missing the creative element. what's a girl to do. with such varied interests its no wonder i could never choose anything and go with it.
2) my parents. they are not terrible people, but they can be a little demoralizing. prestige is important to them. only respectable careers for our family. studying art in college actually caused a large rift between us. we didn't talk for awhile, i was cut off financially, and i ended up paying for my last few years of college. they were psyched about law school, of course, and ever since i told them that i wasn't going, my dad has been trying to get me to work for him. they have given up on me. they are not on board with the plan.
3) my perceptions. i think i've been a little silly about things. careers aren't permanent. they don't completely define you as a person. you still have your personality, friends, and home life. it's ok to choose something. i can change my mind.
i've decided to become an art teacher. i'm thinking elementary. it's not prestigious, it doesn't pay much, and i'm sure it's very challenging. however, i love kids, art, and the creative process. and summers off? heck yes. it's great for now. i'm letting my bohemian side win until i'm thirty. then i'll reevaluate my situation.
a goal for the future is to get into art therapy. i have taught art at scottish rite children's hospital before and seen the positive effects of art therapy. amazing. i do need grad school for this. hopefully after teaching for awhile, i can get my school to pay for my master's. yeah!
the plan is to enroll in the alternative certification program this summer. in the meantime, i dunno. office work? retail? whatev. i'm just killing time. my parents hate this plan. they think i'll never be able to retire. i'll be poor forever. just terrible.
i think it's a good plan.
Monday, October 8, 2007
i have a plan
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8 comments:
MAN, do I feel you on this. I wish I could commit to a something! Anyway this plan sounds great to me!
"(like graphic design) would be intellectually unsatisfying.."
ouch!!!!!!
good plan, my friend Lena just started teaching art for the first time this year. I think you should chat with her.
i need to rewrite this.
instead of intellectually unsatisfying i should have said boring. that's what i meant. i was being pretentious. i do that.
and the only reasons it would be boring is that a) i'm too much of a nerd, and b) i'm really not talented enough to do anything interesting or worthwhile. issues with me, not the job.
i hope you weren't actually offended, that is the last thing i would want.
i need an editor :)
haha I was not offended at all. graphic design can suck if your not in it to win it.
does it make you feel better that i'm not sure i have a plan at all anymore??...luckily, you will be awesome at whatever you choose of course :)
i love the plan! you're very talented and i know first hand how much you like to help people, so i think you'll love teaching! i say screw prestige. although it would be nice to make lots of money and flaunt it around at ghost bar and whatnot, life is all about happiness.
I talked to Lena last night and she said she can prolly get you some sub work at her school if your interested.
Being a teacher is awesome. My advice is if you want to be a teacher, put your heart, soul, and mind into the kids....parents and administration be damned! It is way more satisfying that way. I wish their was an art opening at my school. oh, well. it's burleson too. plans change constantly, so don't sweat it. life changes constantly. I can't wait to see you tomorrow!
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