I am completely and utterly fed up with teaching math at this point. Between dealing with high schoolers who can’t multiply single digit numbers, out of control IEP requirements, way too much apathy and a refusal to take responsibility for their actions from the students, nearly impossible goals from the state (thank you 'No Child Left Behind"!!), a nearly impossible work load, horrible pay all around… I could go on forever…
I have quite simply had it. I want out of the whole education system.
I know my stuff. I know it well. I came from a school with a reputation of having an excellent program both in math and in education. Just getting through at all is an accomplishment. Getting through with good grades is amazing.
I’d like to get into a position where I can apply my knowledge of mathematics that does not involve dealing with the school system.
Unfortunately, I keep finding that it’s tough to move on with only a Bachelor’s degree. I can’t afford to quit and pay for more schooling myself.
Any suggestions?
And before anyone comments on the time, I typed this on my break.
If you’re just fed up with teaching High School, you might be able to get work teaching adult education. A friend of mine teaches math at some High Tech Institute for Advanced Learning, and he’s a couple classes shy of his Masters, so a B.S. might be able to get you by there.
Otherwise, any experience you have with computers or technology would be well applied towards getting a job in the IT industry. Or, like James Woods, you could take up acting.
Government work. Many Professional level jobs require just a BA- in anything. However, there are quite a few rather nice Fed jobs that require a degree in Math.
Have you looked at being an actuary? You’ll need to take about a year to pass the first couple exams before you can move on, and they’re not incredibly cheap, but after that your prospects are good. Take a look at the official propaganda site for more information.
Depending on how well you’ve kept your figure, you may make a very good housewife for a guy like myself. I’m not very good at math, you see, so dinnertime conversation will always be an educational experience for me and a dazzling display of mathematical virtuosity for you. I am also completely house-trained and can cook delicious meals, unlike your students. I accept resumes via email.
Or you could apply at Google! I heard the food there is great!
It depends on the quality of the mathematics portion of that mathematics education degree. Some of these degrees are little more than an education degree with a bit of mathematics tossed in, while others are basically a proper mathematics degree with an education minor tossed in.
How long have you been teaching? If it’s only a year or two, I wouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet. I am biased here–I am a teacher and love my job so much that honestly feel sorry for the whole rest of the world for not having what I have. That said, I’m at the perfect school for me. The “culture”, if you will, fits me to a T–the BS ( and all schools have their BS) is stuff that I don’t mind and the things they value are things I am good at–so I am liked and respected and effective. But the cultures of schools vary emensely. I’ve listened to enough stories of enough different schools to know that had I taken another job (and I picked this one mostly becuase it was the closest to home out of the offers I recieved), I easily would have hated teaching. And there are a few places where I suspect I would have been fired the first year.
Whatever reasons you became a teacher are still valid. If you’ve been teaching between 1-5 years, you are very marketable. When you are sending out various resumes, send some out to schools, as well-- private schools, middle schools, magnent schools, bigger schools, smaller schools–and go to those interviews as well. Going isn’t a commitment–you can still look for a job outside education–but you might find a place that rekindles your enthusiasm for teaching.
I have a friend who runs a college math tutoring center. Its teaching, but its teaching at a different level.
You could move into business. There are a lot of math heavy jobs in business (and a lot of math phobic business people). Programs like Six Sigma. Departments like marketing.
I’m not an actuary, but I wanted to jump in and say that this could be a very good idea. I’ve frequently heard of job satisfaction surveys where the job of actuary comes up in first place. It’s almost counterintuitive, since an insurance company seems like the quintessence of a dull stuffy place to work, but appearances can be deceiving, I suppose.
This is true. Tutoring programs at all levels are always looking for math majors, and those with teaching certs get points. You could also do this on your own if you felt so inclined.
Math Ed, ok… it still includes a lot of math, right? We don’t have that major in Spain but it sounds to me like it would be “a lot of math and a slightly-smaller lot of teaching”.
You’d be a shoo-in for Organization Consultant jobs. Give www.sap.com a look.
