What's Next?

In my post I am a Teacher, I revealed that at the core I am... gasp... a Teacher.

Nevertheless, I decided to leave a secure career that directly complemented my skill set in search of an opportunity to...

Well, I guess that is the problem, as a true Millennial, I do not have an answer to the age old question: What do you want to be when you grow up?  Though I know that I do not want to be, by the classical definition, a teacher,  I also know that I do not want to abandon the skills that have allowed me to achieve much success in the classroom.

As I see it, I am qualified for almost every job; unfortunately, I am not a recruiter or hiring manager.  What I have found to be extremely frustrating is that despite the high attrition rate for teachers, there are very few resources out there to help former teachers find and pursue new opportunities.

I did not start this blog to simply aid in the development of my Social Media skills and footprint, though those are definitely significant reasons, I created it to potentially help those who are in my shoes. In posts titled, What's Next, I will focus on a specific career that directly correlates to the skill set of a teacher in order to...

• Analyze how one may market his/her skills to a potential employer.
• Identify skills and certifications that may be helpful in pursuing this career.

In the coming days, I will start with what I consider to be the most obvious career tangent: Corporate Training.

Also in the queue:

- Sales Associate

- Administrative Assistant

Not in the queue:

- Tutor

- Principal

- Guidance Counselor

In general, I will focus on careers completely independent of education that may be possible to achieve without further schooling.  If you are reading this blog, other readers and I would appreciate suggestions!

I've Got the Dreamer's Disease... and LinkedIn Has the Cure!

I want this... in T-Shirt or Poster form!

Arrogance is an affliction of the University of Michigan graduate... or so I am told.  As such, searching for a job is tough because I am arrogant enough to assume that I am the best candidate for each job to which I apply.  I am starting to refer to this mindset as the Dream Job Disease, even when the job that I apply for is not my dream job.

In general, I believe that confidence is a good thing when pursuing new opportunities.  Confidence allows a candidate to believe that he is a company's ideal applicant, which in turn allows him to convey how his skills will not only complement the company, but improve it.  Without confidence, one should not apply for a position.

I am a Teacher

A few years ago, I penned the following post after completing a 3-month job interview with Epic; which, unfortunately ended in rejection.  While the post was penned in frustration, it was one of the most introspective pieces that I have written.  In all honesty, it helped me trudge through two more years as a high school teacher.

I am a teacher.

For the last decade, I have been on a journey of self-discovery to find the label that best fits me.  I tried officer, but asthma derailed that path.  I thought about drifter, but my craving for stability could not be ignored.  I applied for the title of businessman, but, after a summer of half-hearted searching, the passion never ignited (and I was rejected).  For the last decade, I have been running from the label that defines who I am at my core…

I am a teacher.

Out of the Classroom and into the...?

On June 30, 2014, my teaching certificate expired.  The date brings to a close what I consider a successful career, if only because my pant splitting catastrophe of an organized teacher dance will last for perpetuity:

(Naturally, I am sporting my Michigan shirt and a horrible attempt at a beard)

'Humbly', I will admit that I was a very good teacher.  As my résumé tells future employers, I produced results.  As my students will attest (caveat: don't ask all of them =)), I developed an environment that promoted learning and laughing.  As my school's administrators confirmed, I am 'highly effective' when it comes to fostering engaging student-centric conversation.  Unfortunately, for me, teaching felt more like a job than a passion.  While I realize that no job is perfect, maintaining success in the classroom requires passion.

So, as of July 1st, I officially broke free from the shackles of my teaching certificate, which compelled me to perform my duty of educating our youth.  Now, I am on job-seeking parole and LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are accountable for my daily check-ins.

In an effort to focus my job search, to expand my LinkedIn network, and to have an outlet to vent, I will keep an updated blog to document my job-searching progress.

Topics that I hope to explore:
- Logical Alternative Career Choices for Teachers
- Dream Job Disease (I have not yet Googled this to find out if it is something)
- Those Pesky Qualifications
- Obligatory Job Postings - The Battle Against the Internal Candidate
- The Entry Level Blues