Underemployed...how long did it take you to find the job you want?

EveKing79

I am a new teacher in a content area that is very tough right now (visual arts). At the moment I am working part-time at a charter school (I have posted on these boards about this before). The benefits and drawbacks are both significant.

Pros: I am gaining valuable experience in my content area-the school is heavily special education, the kids are amazing, there are very small classes and I am able to differentiate like crazy. My co-workers are also very nice and pleasant to work with. I also feel extremely fulfilled doing what I'm doing. Many of the kids have significant learning disabilities and other issues, and so they really struggle academically-however, they are producing artwork that matches or exceeds that of "typical" children their age. It's very exciting for me to guide that process!

Cons: I teach *seven* classes back to back the days I am there! No preps during the day (I get about an hour and half of prep time at the beginning and the end of the day), no lunch. The pay is not good, especially compared to a public school. Because I am paid hourly, I don't get paid over vacations, for sick days, etc. No benefits, but my husband has good medical, so we're okay in that respect. It is also an hour drive each way from my house.

With DH's salary, I can stay at this job until roughly 2015, if absolutely necessary. At that point, we would need to either go into some investments, or DH would need to find a job that pays significantly more. We are having to dip into savings some every year, for me to work part-time, but mostly our expenses are covered by our wages. However, we can't start repayment on my student loans until I have a better job, and my MIL is contributing about 1/3 of our daycare expenses, which is so generous, but makes me feel very guilty. (Not to mention that I feel like anything extra we do, like going on a trip or making any large purchase, I feel like I would need to justify to her) So it's not sustainable for the long term, unless DH looks for a higher paying job, a pressure I don't want to put on him. He is happy where he is-has been slightly frustrated for awhile, but he's well established at his company, and gets good benefits and vacation time, great hours for family time as well. We don't want to sacrifice any of those things.

Has anyone else been in this situation? I find that the days I am home with DS (twice a week) and weekends, I am spending so much time, working on looking for a full-time, public school job for next year (writing cover letters, looking at job websites, addressing envelopes etc.) that it really impinges on the part time ness of the job. Not to mention all the prep work I do at home. The financial worries also certainly take away from the time i spend with DS.

For those of you who started at a not great job, but moved into something more ideal, how long did it take you to end up where you are now? I am hoping it takes no more than 1-2 years- but I want to be prepared for a long haul if necessary.

I went back to work just before the holidays, DS is 6 months old.

 

 

 

KL777

Years ago when DH and I relocated (pre-baby) I had to take an "under-employed" job.  Fortunately, I was only there for 1 year and 10 months before I interviewed and accepted another position that matched my qualifications.  Hang in there!

Eilis123

For me, both after my BA/MA and my MSEd, it took about a year to find the ideal job (I'm in education, too).

Does the school you graduated from have a Career Development/Counseling Center, specifically a counselor who specializes in education students?  If so, I would get in touch with them and see if they can help you network, or see if they have any career fairs or can steer you in the right direction towards one.

Finally, have you considered using a teacher agency?  My husband got his first "good" teaching position (Music) through an agency up in Fairfield, CT.  I know a LOT of teachers who have gotten jobs this way, especially in the more hard to find niche areas.

EveKing79

These are really good ideas. I have never heard of a teaching agency before-like a staffing agency? I will certainly look into it, thank you!

It's good to hear that it only took you about a year. Were you proactive in seeking out work? I know a lot of people who have been lamenting that they have been subbing for 3-4 years, but then I don't know whether they are also actively looking for work, or just waiting for something in their home district to open up. It's hard to gauge. I am willing to travel a (reasonable) amount of time. I would do up to about 45 minutes each way full time.

The school where I got my MSEd does indeed have a career center, I will certainly take a look!

kyethra

To be honest, it is taking me years.  I am a K-12 certified librarian.  I went to the number one grad school in my field, etc.  I had to switch fields and now expect it will be another year or two until I make a semi decent amount.  I am now working but maternity leave set me back.