DLT 1,646 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 So I currently have a nice secure job where I work 8 to 5, all week year around. My supervisor sits in another town but I cover an area about the size of a small state. Last week I was contacted by my previous employer if I would be interested in a highly sensitive position that would pay me about 20k more per year, but would require me to resubmit myself willingly to the horrific political environment that I escaped 4 years ago. Basically, a shitty job that pays well but will have me looking over my shoulder 24/7. Then this morning, I get another offer to be a history teacher at the school my wife works at. 6k more than I make now, only 187 days a year of work, 8 to 3:30. What do you guys think? The extra 20k sounds great....but I know for a fact that job sucks! The teacher calender sounds great, but is it worth putting up with kids? My current job is secure, but doesn't pay when compared to equivalent work elsewhere. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JDeko 792 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 If you can deal with the shitty, high-paid job. in my family there are a lot of instances of such missed opportunities and sadly the older you are the harder it is to find good work. if you need to flee this job again moving down in the world is a whole lot easier than moving up. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 History Teacher. Teaching is so cool. You will love it. Also consider once you get off probation and can survive the intense background checks, you are good to go. Golden. Consider the job security in the future plus all the fringe benefits provided by the school district. Will they let you teach there with your wife also working someplace in the same school? Policy may change. But ... will you be able to handle all the political left wing socialist crap the school district will demand that you brain wash your kids with? That is the big question. I was lucky. A very conservative environment. Not possible today in public education? I dunno. Good luck. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sim_Player 1,939 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I say go where you think you'll be happiest. 9 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dogster 577 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Better pay has NEVER compensated for high stress! The health problems that will eventually manifest from it will cost you far more down the road. 10 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Teaching can be a high stress job. It is what YOU make of it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigChongus 765 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I personally would run screaming from having to put up with kids. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james lambert 3,059 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 What grade level? You could have a very positive influence on young kids, not so much with older ones. Also where would you be located in both instances ? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spacehog 2,218 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 It is nice to have multiple options. My opinion is take the job you enjoy doing. I second Dogman, all the compensation in the world cannot make up for a job you hate and the misery that comes along with it. Good luck with whatever you decide. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Long Shot 1,287 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Life is far to short to be unhappy with the way you make a living. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
randumbthoughts 75 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 But ... will you be able to handle all the political left wing socialist crap the school district will demand that you brain wash your kids with? That is the big question. I was lucky. A very conservative environment. Not possible today in public education? I dunno. Good luck. It's seriously fucking disgusting. I saw a photo of a PC-approved piece of homework for a history class. One of the questions asks the student to describe each of the major figures in WW2 and lists one of them as Halle Selasse. Yeah, real major figure Because god forbid we teach a subject in which every character is white or Asian. Doesn't matter that's how it went, let's pretend a black guy was important too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
XD45 7,124 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 Better pay has NEVER compensated for high stress! The health problems that will eventually manifest from it will cost you far more down the road. Exactly what I'm dealing with right now. Not worth the extra money. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Machinist 150 Posted May 3, 2016 Report Share Posted May 3, 2016 I work for a large state university, if you can keep your opinions to yourself. Working in a very liberal environment is palatable if you truly enjoy your job. Maybe write out a list of the pros and cons of each position, might help you to see the points of each choice in writing. Good luck on your decision! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yakdung 2,926 Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Teaching in a Government school? If so, I would say forget it. Money isn't everything. Work where you are the happiest that's my recommendation. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 No brainer. BE the teacher. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted May 4, 2016 Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Do what makes you happy. Going for the $$$$ usually costs you more in booze and Tums than the difference in pay. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted May 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2016 Teaching is currently winning. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
poolingmyignorance 2,191 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 (edited) I work in third world nations all the time travel alone, Comercial so never so much as a pocket knife with me... I'm blonde blue eyes, tattoos..I don't blend anywhere. I have insane liability criminal and civil... but the pay is awesome. Fuck it, it's just money...how much do you love it? On a side note ,they're right about the booze... Edited May 5, 2016 by poolingmyignorance 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evlblkwpnz 3,418 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 I have tried going for the money and wasn't happy. Buying whatever the hell I wanted when I wanted it was really nice, but the work I was doing was extremely hard on the body, I was surrounded by morons, and I was subject to the brutal summer weather down here on a regular basis. Looking back, it was not worth it. About the only thing I really liked about it was finding that my physical limits were much farther than I imagined before. If you had a job that you loved so much you would do it without pay, you have found what you love to do. You can't put a dollar amount on happiness. Money is nice, but actually being happy about going to work is priceless. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted May 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 The issue with the money job revolves around the situation that created it. The person I would be replacing was in charge of conducting internal audits. That individual was found dead along with their fellow coworker. Both bound, gagged, with a single shot through the head. The whole thing stinks to high heaven and nobody wants that job for obvious reasons. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Machinist 150 Posted May 5, 2016 Report Share Posted May 5, 2016 Sounds like the Clinton law firm? 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted May 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2016 I started the becoming a teacher process. Everyone at the school has been extremely welcoming and genuinely excited to see me coming into the position. It helps to have a few friends and family already there. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
storm6490 2,768 Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Did they make you into a union thug yet? Kudos on not taking the suck ass 20K gig. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted May 8, 2016 Report Share Posted May 8, 2016 Do not take yourself too seriously. Consider what you do for a living seriously. Be sure to take the time to embrace life and smell the roses. Remember to separate the job from your private life. You are living the best part of your life right now. Enjoy. HB of CJ (very old coot) 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Stress from a toxic work environment will cause migraines, irritable bowels, and even ulcers. Working a job that is pleasant and rewarding will add years to your life, and life to your years! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted May 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Yes, I know. I've worked toxic jobs before and hated them. I really like my current job, but the pay is really way too low for the duties involved. Teaching may not be ideal, but it will help money wise and with time spent with my family. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
YOT 3,743 Posted May 9, 2016 Report Share Posted May 9, 2016 Full-time wages for a half-time job is always a plus. Another plus is the impact you can have in the formative years of a growing mind, if you choose to BE the teacher. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
G O B 3,516 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 The most rewarding job I ever had was teaching electronics and circuit tracing Elevator apprentices. You can actually SEE the little light bulbs go off when they "get it". 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB of CJ 1,263 Posted May 10, 2016 Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 You are going to LOVE being a teacher. Yep ... when the light bulbs go off in their little noggins the feeling you experience is golden for life. Have fun, try to absorb the less desirable part of teaching or just deflect it and let it roll off your back like water off a duck. Expect to be tested or slightly hazed by the older teachers. You job will be trying to live your life while being expected to say "yes" to all the extra curricular activities. You do have the right to just say no. You can do all of this. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DLT 1,646 Posted May 10, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2016 Thanks guys. Had a long interview yesterday with the personnel director. He was stunned with my background and work experience. Here's the funny part, I will be the oldest teacher in the department when I start. At 46, I'm no spring chicken, but this is what the school administration wants. Hopefully, the kids I get will be ok. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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