I have a passion to teach. Much more so than doing research. I guess I do like to do research... it's just that I didn't find a very good topic for my phd. I got stuck... and I procrastinated... and ... Anyhow, I will be done very soon.
Going back to teaching... I wish I could continue to teach...
Remembering the time when I was a teaching assistant.... I felt good just to see students' reaction when their faces lit up knowing that they had understood a new concept, a new theory, or just a way to solve a homework problem. The satisfication I received from teaching was indescribable. I also loved the interaction with students. My office was always open... they could knock on my door any time when they had a question.
I bribed my student too of course. I think one summer... I had a pizza party for my students at the last day of class.
My major advisor wanted me so bad to go into academia. I hesitated because my love is not so much in research but in teaching. And I was also discouraged by the current trend in almost all colleges in the US that MONEY becomes the bottomline... In fact a college nowadays is run like a big business. A professor's status or success is largely if not solely measured by how much research money he/she can bring to the university. Education is not the primary goal anymore. Deans and all the higher-ups are looking for short-term results that will help increase the ranking of the school. They want things that can stuff their resume with. All the new policies aiming for short-term success have resulted in a really poor morale within the faculty. And then, there is politics. I love politics (ha ha... in another word--gossips), but I hate to be in the thick of it.
So... I'd rather try my luck in the industry. So far so good, I guess. I like my company I work for right now. In fact, I am excited to start full time in December.
If I have a chance... I will consider teaching again... Oh that may be 10 or 15 years down the road... who knows.
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Thoughts, random thoughts mostly. I guess it's a good idea that I write them down. Just in case...
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- JC
- Life is short. And it's bitter sweet. What is the purpose and meaning? Or finding it's purpose and meaning is life itself.
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4 comments:
When I was little I had a dream to become a teacher. I guess it's a tradition in the family (I know at least 10 relatives that had worked as a teacher of various kinds at some point of their lives) But as I grew up, that passion had ceased somehow. However there are plenty of teaching opportunities anywhere, not just in acadimea. I found myself quite satisfying when couching new coops or new coworkers to get them started.
But anyway, from what I've heard (mostly from my aunt who taught for 30+ years), teaching can be very satisfying, especially if after 30 years, your students still remember you. Surely, politics exist in school, but politics exist in everywhere else as well. So after you have had enough fun in the industry, hopefuly you will commence in teaching in the near future! :)
I forgot to mention this is my post. My boss's brother was once my student at Purdue. My boss called his brother up before he interviewed me for the job. Good thing that I didn't leave too bad an impression on his brother.... otherwise I wouldn't have gotten my current job... ha ha...
My sister is teaching music in high school back home (HK). My father used to be sort of a teacher before he retired. He taught sewing and tailoring. So I guess I have my share of influence from my family too.
I guess I do want to be an adjunct professor of some sort... later in life I hope.
Get some sleep la.. you are sick wor. Good night.
Teaching was my dream job too. But when I was a student, teachers were on strike quite a bit, I started to go against that thought. I didn't want to go through my education and end up being on strike. Seems like a lot of ppl politics.
I also felt Univerisity is more like a business than an academic place. And the tuition, I don't know about the tuition in the states, but the tution in Ontario has been shooting up like crazy. When I thought about doing my MBA or not, I couldn't believe my worry was more towards the tuition than anything else. It's sad, but seems like University is almost for richer families only.
Strike... seems to be a Canadian thing. hehee.. When I was over at Thunderbay early this summer, the staff at the university there were on strike. They sat at the entrance every day. I had to greet them every time I went out to do shopping.
Tuition in the States is expensive too. Purdue used to be the cheapest amongst all good public universities. But not any more. The State of Indiana is cutting funding and the university responds by raising tuition, especially for foreign and out of state students. I think it will come to a point where economic status will be THE factor for admission. It is sad. With the current administration in power, this is not going get any better soon.
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