Ah, fuck.

[taytor_tot]

While trying to choose my spring quarter classes, I realized that I have no idea what I want to do when I graduate. I can usually stay optimistic by telling myself that the possibilities for an able bodied, occassionally hard working, UC graduate are endless, but tonight I'm not so sure. At first I thought Teach For America would be a good way to

Comments

[thatboyismine]

what is all of this stuff about "college" and "graduating"? are you trying to hurt my feelings? well you did, even if that wasnt your intent.

[my_lode]

do you know bryan haut? his sister did. ask hmay.

[taytor_tot]

She's the one that told me I couldn't make it a day in Compton, and I think she's right.

[crinklebat]

There was a good series in the LA Times a few months ago about a guy who either was in TFA or was a district intern (if you don't have a parent or anyone who works for the LAUSD, district interns take a few tests and get thrown right into the classroom without a credential, and take night classes for several years to earn their certificate. My mom did it when it was a two-year program - I believe it's been extended to three since). I think he was teaching English? It was very depressing

[crinklebat]

The favorite teacher's daughter referred to above is the same person Melody referred you to. Just btw.

[taytor_tot]

OMFG they rejected Ed?!? Harvard thought he was qualified to get a PhD at their school and TFA didn't think he was good enough to teach gun-toting gangsters how to do long division?! Holy crap, I had no idea it was that hard to get into.

Oh, and don't get me wrong, Simone - I never want to graduate either. But realistically, I won't get into a very good grad school and I'll end up having to work for a while anyway. The difference between you and me is that grad school will pay YOU to attend because you'll be going for something sciencey, whereas I will have to beg my dad for the money and get a mcjob to pay my way. Not that I'm not willing to do that, it's just the scariest thought ever because I've never worked a day in my life.

[crinklebat]

Times may have changed a bit since they went to grad school, but I have an aunt with a PhD in English lit and another with a PhD in art history and they both managed to get through it just with TAing cash and government fellowships. Susan actually got a really decent fellowship (after doing her undergrad at, coincidentally, UCLA) and told Princeton she'd take her money elsewhere if they didn't let her live off-campus. Barbara was the sixth of six children in a family with one working parent who taught at community college - I promise you begging her dad for money would have gotten her laughs and not much else. It can be done! It's not easy, but don't lose hope. Nothing is easy. Government funding may have fallen for the arts and humanities in recent years, but it's never been a goldmine and people have managed it regardless

[maud]

I was a kindergarten teacher and juvenile hall tutor for AmeriCorps for a year. It's a very mixed bag. Kids, even recalcitrant ones, are good, and you just sort of have to keep a sharp eye out and apply all the Pavlov/Skinner kinds of discipline. However, I hated the teachers, who were basically cold-hearted, anorexic bitches who got off on the power to give detention. And California schools, at least, are ridiculously scripted. When I say scripted, I mean scripted; they have people who come round and make sure you're saying exactly what you're supposed to be saying, with the right hand puppet, and nothing else. I would say it really comes down to one thing: how good are you with kids? If you're good, you stand a good chance. If not -- find something else to do.

[taytor_tot]

I hate kids. Sorry, did I forget to mention that?

[kindertwin]

wow. this is, like, a serious post.