... Its coming up to being that time in life for me 2 years into the PhD, all being well completion will happen in the next 18 months, the thesis plan is drawn up, the work needing done pretty much finalised. Its time now for me to get an early head start into what I actually want to do in the real world! The thought of detailing professionally had crossed my mind a few times.... but to be honest, its something I do as a hobby and as a keen enthusiast and whether or not my skill level (or lack thereof :lol would see my as a potentially successful detailer, I still just want to keep it as the main thing I do as an enthusiast. Perhaps one day, who knows. But its also not something I would enter into without serious personal capitol to back it all up... The main serious thought though is to go into education - yup, be a school teacher. Flying in the face of a large number of people who tell me I'm wasting myself doing that, but what's wasting yourself about doing something which at the end of the day I see myself as being good at? Okay, I'm sure I could enter into a high flying career in business or money or the like with a PhD in Physics behind me, but it just doesn't invoke any passion - the pay is great, but all that would happen if I was well paid is I would buy more detailing gear and I have enough already!! :lol::lol: But seriously... It does seem these days that I will jump at every opportunity that allows me the chance to teach someone - be that Physics, dance, or detailing! Hell, I racked up thousands of miles a year so I can teach detailing! :lol: And I think thats probably what has finally swung me round to this decision - on completion of my PhD, I am going to apply to do a PGDE to become a Physics teacher in Scotland. Its a strangely satisfying feeling to have a game plan in my head now, to have an aim. And yes, I know that teaching will most definitely have its ups and downs... but I just want to do something where I feel that at least to some people, I can make a difference and enjoy it at the same time... So if your kids study Physics at school, you just never know who may end up teaching them!
Hmmm, I'd suck it up and earn some serious cash first and save as much of it as I could to establish a good base for retirement. Once you've had enough and are sick of whatever job you've taken to earn that cash, become a teacher. That's just me though.
Personally, I'd be happier done a job that I love with an "OK" salary rather than a job that I hate and make money hand over fist. Sounds like you're making the right decisions Dave! Best of luck.
if that's something you like, then go for it...I just wonder what the pay to the school teacher now (annually)?
Heh, I'm not saying suck it up and take a job that you'd hate...just one that you can live with to earn some good $$$. If you didn't get sick of what you chose, after say 5 years, then I'd say you may have picked a job you actually LIKE!
I agree with P1et..take the job that you will be happy with. A career lasts a long time when you're unhappy. I've seen a lot of guys over the years do some very unhealthy things (alcohol, drugs,etc) b/c they were miserable. Life's too short, too unpredicatable..live with no regrets! I too enjoy teaching and get to do it on occasion with my job. In fact I'm teaching a course to qualify people to become child car seat technicians at the end of the month. It is a rewarding job. With detailing, you can choose how busy you want to be in your spare time..and that will change as life changes..at least you get to call the shots. Good luck!:bla2::bla2:
Sounds like you know what you want in life. most people cant decide what they want to do.. Im graduating myself this summer and i already have my bachelors on Information System and im getting my associates on Nursing because its such a high demand here and to tell you the truth Ive learn to love it and ive become a different person and its a wonderful career for me. My whole family is either a nurse, doctor, Physical therapist or something related to Healthcarefield so i guess I have that in my gene and I love helping people .. at the end of the day i helped someone feel better and its so gratifying and also the pay is good... its double positive.. but ive taken my other passion which is cars.. building cars and detailing cars and I will try to divide my time.. Good luck Dave and do whats best for you as long as you can support yourself, your hobby, and your partner/family... BEST OF LUCK..
you really need to ask yourself what you want from a career - is it money, self-satisfaction and self-worth, happiness, to feel powerful, to be seen as successful, etc. it is rare where a single career can provide all of these things. i would view teaching as providing a great deal of self satisfaction. you can go home from work everyday and honestly say you directly affected the life of someone else.
Hmmmm, maybe you shouldn't listen to me. Well, except for the saving for retirement part. Dave, from the "demeanor" you exude through your posts, it really seems like you could be happy shovelling dung for a living as long as it allows you to keep your detailing hobby and enthusiasm for it.
Nothing wrong with teaching, I remember when I was yunger and at the point in life to choose what I wanted to be and I narowed it down to three jobs, one of them was teaching. I would have to agree though, just as long as your happy that's all that matters. Life is short and you should enjoy it as much as possible, money is nice to have...oh who am I kiding money is great to have but money is only a tool, a tool that helps you get to where you want to be in life...well that's just my opinion. It really does sound like you got you'r head set and my opinion is that your heading in the right direction, I say that because you enjoy educating others and that's all that matters :thumb: Best of luck to you Dave, hopefully we will all stick around here enough so that we can all share what the future has brought us eace:
x2!! My father always told me: Do what you like and be passionate about it, and money will follow you
BTW Dave, I hope you didn't take my posts the wrong way. If I came off in an offensive manner, I apologize, as being so was very much NOT my intention. I truly wish you the best of luck in your decision...I'm just jealous!
Physics.....wow I remember those classes. I don't think I have quite enough brain cells for a PhD in physics but its interesting stuff, congrats. Have you ever though about maybe doing some research at a college or university. You could do that for a bit then teach or even teach at the same time. Good luck either way, I'm sure you'll have plenty of options.
Though I'm not doing my PhD, but I'm at the stage where I'd have to kick start my career. I've always wanted to be a teacher, but have just realized how hard it is to find a teaching job. STRESS!!!
