I am a computer programmer for Facebook. I recently received a promotion. I am now a Lead Developer on the marketplace feature. I work long hours. I have two pitt bulls, Kiki and Chaco.
I like dogs. I'm a science teacher at the University of Illinois Chicago. I find it rewarding. I have worked at UIC for 8 months. I graduated 3 years ago with a master degree. I am Anatomy and Physiology Professor.
Have you been enjoying teaching at the college level? I have and I haven't. I only have a few motivated students this semester and I'm teaching an extra class while a coworker is out sick. I generally find it rewarding, but there is so much apathy and C-F grades in this one class that I think 80% are going to wash out. That doesn't look great on my teaching record. I would imagine it's to be expected at the college level. So many kids go to college because they're pressured into it by teachers and parents when it's not really what they want. It is. I really think this country needs to rethink college. I know I didn't go until I was 24 and I didn't regret it a bit. I worked as a manager at Walmart saving money and took advantage of their $1/day degree program offer. I don't regret going into college more mature with a savings cushion at all. I'm glad I went when I did because tuition wasn't too through the roof yet, but greedy schools perpetuating this myth that you won't succeed unless you go to college when you're 18 needs to end. It seriously does. I started at a community college and then took my masters on a scholarship. I don't regret my higher education, but I think more people are fit for the "work your way up" track through companies rather than sit in school for four years. Trade schools are also a great alternative. Trade schools were almost looked down on when I was in high school, but the friends I have that went into trades are doing very well in life. My best friend went to get an electrician certification and now has his own business locksmithing and doing electrical work. He makes a great living. People shouldn't look down on it. It's a great alternative for people who are very detail and hands on oriented. Some people just do great at manual labor/construction and they should play to their strengths. Like anything, colleges became all about the money. It's like a temp agency. Just like they'll put you in any job even if they know you'll quit because it's not a good fit just to bring in some income, colleges know that there will always be a steady stream of high school graduates. Even if they wash out in a year, the school will make money from them. Let me tell you, as someone who teaches in one they are all about the money. I think people are generally better off working until they figure out what they really want to do. I think over 60% of our freshmen burn out and drop by sophomore year. I love that analogy comparing colleges to temp agencies, I think I'm going to have to tell people that one. I don't regret going and love my job, but I would have been happy to keep working my way up at Walmart. I made great money and had great benefits overall.  I've worked at Wal-Mart in the past, so I don't agree there. That was a very toxic place to work. But can see how it would be frustrating working as a teacher in a place that's designed to set people up to fail. I think I mostly wish people would wait and see if they really want to make the investment. Too many of the students are focused on partying not studying and that doesn't help. We had a great small town location with a tight knit staff but I know it can vary. I think you either love or hate working there.