For my next act

So I can't really tell you why it was such a crummy day on the work front, but it was a crummy day on the work front -- so crummy that I spent some time thinking about what I would do if I quit my job. Things I considered: 

• write books
• learn to code 

Joe thinks I'd be especially good at anything involving small children, but he also notes that I wouldn't make much money unless I became a pediatrician. (I am not going to apply to medical school at age 51.)

My friend Jenny says whenever she's feeling glum about work she imagines getting a job at the gas station near her house, where they're always hiring and they have a soft-serve machine. Having a bad day? Have a little soft-serve!

Probably the way it's going to go down from here is that I have a couple of icky meetings and then the stress dies down. Probably also I will feel a lot happier about my job once I am not trying to teach online any more. But I think I am going to put it in my syllabus from now until the end of time that any queries about final grades need to be addressed in an in-person meeting. 

Still, tell me-- what would you do if you didn't have your current job? What alternate jobs would you suggest for me?

Comments

[Tom]

I would be a rodeo clown. You also should be a rodeo clown.

Tom

[Pippi]

I’d love to be a children’s librarian or an SLP. But I like my job and don’t want to retrain. If it were free I’d go back and get a masters and PhD in education because there’s lots of research I’d love to do. I have zero desire to work in academia, though, and there are no jobs there anyway so that’s an wish that will likely never come to pass.

[Linda]

I will always regret not being a wildlife rehabber. I think that will be my retirement job. I would also like to be the lady I see watering the plants and picking off the brown leaves at the hospital. I imagine she has multiple clients and she just slowly strolls through buildings with her little cart, tending plants.

[Marcie]

Good question! If I were to stay in the same field, I’ve thought about private practice - contracting out to private schools who would like to offer SLP services. Outside of the field, I would consider making my eBay business more robust and begin to rescue and restore antiques. But I had not considered installing a soft serve machine in my place of work- until now!

Hang in there, Dr. Gladly. I suspect it’s the same all over in terms of grade haggling.

PS: loved the post about your earliest memory and the couple who gifted you the cat.

[Marcie]

PPS: Tom’s idea is really great too!

[Lori]

If I had to do it all over again, with the caveat that it had to be something that actually paid some kind of pittance and that Mattered - I think I'd try environmental education.

A job I loved but that pays squat was the one where I was a docent/tour guide at a historical home. I got to tell stories about a colorful character and the ghost stories associated with the house!

[K.]

Slightly serious alternate job suggestion: something similar to your current one (or a move into student advising or TRIO SSS), but for a community college. Different population, different rewards and challenges...but a lot less student entitlement, in my experience. (The catch, of course, is that I assume your subject is a lot less common in community colleges than mine. And you seem to really like your subject.)

A less serious but fun suggestion: gardening/cooking columnist for a local/regional newspaper or magazine.

[Tracy]

I already did the pivot into another field, and then realized my life circumstances meant that I and my family were best served by my staying home. That was hard on me, but now I am content. Rodeo clown seems to cover what I do nowadays, or maybe juggler...

[Ariella]

I changed careers (sort of) about 10 years ago from attorney in private practice to insurance attorney (now an executive). So while I use my lawyer skills, it’s much more about departmental and corporate strategy. At first I really grieved the loss of my career and the expectations that I had for myself. Now I am happy about 85% of the time and am glad I made the change.

But! If I had another chance, I’d go back to school again and get a degree in art history. Then I’d try to go work for an antiques auction house.

For you - I think you could do anything you want. You’re so smart and articulate. I love the idea of applying your skills and talents in a community college context because I think those colleges often serve an underserved population. If you wanted to entirely change careers, since you’re already a lactation consultant, maybe a doula with post-birth LC specialization. Or maybe something that uses your existing professional skills and knowledge, but in a different way (sort of like I did - I don’t practice law anymore, but my previous experience is so invaluable for my current role). Or, you know, just develop a home school curriculum that’s not focused on people who are doing it for religious reasons so people like me can home school our children without worrying about a religious or political agenda.

Ultimately, I think you’ll be okay. But I know and appreciate the feeling of wanting to make a drastic change.