After searching unsuccessfully for the past three years, I have FINALLY been offered a full time job as a high school history teacher. Ever since I left Mitchell County, I have been staying busy one way or another, by teaching at Moultrie Tech and VSU, working as a GA at VSU, getting my M.A., and trying to do other graduate degrees. What I've really wanted to do all along was contribute to my family in a fulfilling way. I have felt so useless for the past three years. Fortunately, caring for Brayden alleviated some of that feeling. I really think I would have had a hard time working and missing out on most of his first two years.
Anyway, the first thing many people ask me when they learn I got a full time job is, what about the Ph.D.? Well, I still WANT to get one. However, this economy is tough. Many college graduates are unemployed. A recent report says that employment for Ph.D.s is falling and that the number of Ph.D. grads on food stamps has TRIPLED in the last few years, to the tune of over 33,000 recipients. I'm pretty sure it isn't those with a Ph.D. in Engineering who are among them. I just read that article recently after a couple of my unemployed fellow History M.A.s posted a link to it. That was the moment that I decided to get serious about looking for a job. I have skills, I have experience, I need a JOB. I have been filing applications for years, probably in the three digit range. I have had a handful of interviews, none of which worked out. The one thing I really know how to do is teach history. Many of the jobs for which I applied were not history teacher positions, and I was applying for jobs making money that I earned at Bud K when I was 20. I didn't care. I'm ready to work.
Finally, just last week, I got called for two interviews. One was at a high school and another was at an engineering firm for a human resources position. Anyway, now I have to make a long story short because Brayden found a very large toy in his closet from Christmas that requires adult assembly, which means I will be busy for the next hour. Well both places offered me a job - a good problem - but the teaching position paid a lot better and has more opportunities. I will have to start another blog later! =D
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Everything is going according to plan.
For many years, I had a post-Master's degree plan. I would take a year off to search for work and if nothing came, I would start a Ph.D. Well, that is exactly what is happening. I really thought I would find full-time employment. There are just no jobs out there. At least, nothing for which I am qualified or for which I would be willing to postpone a doctorate. So, let's catch up.
After all the educational setbacks over the past year (detailed in earlier blogs), I finally got into a program that seems like it will work itself out without setbacks (I'm still holding my breath). I was accepted into Florida State University to pursue a Ph.D. in History. I still could not believe I was accepted. Surreal. Anyway, right now I am leaning towards a focus in African-American history because it is the one thing that just really strikes my fancy. I also enjoy modern American history and southern history. My principal interest is, of course, the Civil Rights Movement. But for now, I'm accepted.
Not only was I accepted into FSU, they selected me for one of their assistantships! To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was absolutely humbled by this. My professors said they expected it, Joel wasn't surprised at all, but I really had written off the funding. The funding is very important, not only because it pays your tuition and allows you to earn a stipend, but it shows people that your program has faith in you. In other words, it makes you more hireable after graduation. I was willing to go to school even without the funding. I had already prepared myself by getting an out-of-state tuition waiver from the Academic Common Market. I planned on paying for the in-state with a loan. I was just going to drive to FSU on Mondays for class and have the rest of the week off. However, this assistantship changed all that. Now, I will be working as a 'Gordon-rule grader' so I have to attend a US History (to 1865) class on MWF and I will be grading 3000-word essays from up to 180 students. Shoot me now. If there is ONE thing I HATE about teaching, it is grading. This one is a time soaker, too. I can only imagine how long this will take. I learned from my undergrad though, that if you make a rubric things will go faster, so that is the plan. This semester is going to be the death of me, but I have never been one to let anything get the best of me. Evidently, to have an assistantship, one must also take 12 hours. That is three classes at the doctoral level. I never took three classes during my M.A. so this is a big step for me. Hopefully, Brayden will be getting easier and easier to deal with since he is getting older. All the other motherly duties will have to be delegated. I just keep telling myself that I can do it. I want to do it. The good thing is, if I go at it three classes at a time it shouldn't take me too long to finish the coursework. My advisor said four semesters, but I need to confirm that for myself.
Okay, enough about my Ph.D. WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOUSE!!!! I can't even remember the status of our home purchase when last I blogged, but on February 7, 2012 we closed on the house. This may seem silly, but it really changed our lives. We were crammed into that tiny house for the last nine years. It was okay when it was just me, Jake, and Bailey. However, with five of us, it was cramped. We moved into this house and immediately had about 700 more square feet of living space. Jacob and Bailey finally have their own sizeable bedrooms. Brayden sleeps with us so he doesn't necessarily need a bedroom, but all of his things are in Bailey's room so we call it theirs. There is a second floor that is unfinished but will had about a thousand square feet of living space. We plan to put in a bedroom for Jacob, a gameroom, a guest bedroom, and a full bath up there. This is going to be a costly addition so we put it off for a little while. Hopefully this year though. Meanwhile, we have been getting things situated downstairs and outside. We bought a new dining room table to fit the five of us and a new big comfy recliner, among other things. Anyway, my point is we are just so much happier. Living less than a quarter mile from my dad's house is also a plus. The kids love hopping on their bicycles and being at his house in a minute or two.
Okay, I think that is all for now.
After all the educational setbacks over the past year (detailed in earlier blogs), I finally got into a program that seems like it will work itself out without setbacks (I'm still holding my breath). I was accepted into Florida State University to pursue a Ph.D. in History. I still could not believe I was accepted. Surreal. Anyway, right now I am leaning towards a focus in African-American history because it is the one thing that just really strikes my fancy. I also enjoy modern American history and southern history. My principal interest is, of course, the Civil Rights Movement. But for now, I'm accepted.
Not only was I accepted into FSU, they selected me for one of their assistantships! To say I was shocked would be an understatement. I was absolutely humbled by this. My professors said they expected it, Joel wasn't surprised at all, but I really had written off the funding. The funding is very important, not only because it pays your tuition and allows you to earn a stipend, but it shows people that your program has faith in you. In other words, it makes you more hireable after graduation. I was willing to go to school even without the funding. I had already prepared myself by getting an out-of-state tuition waiver from the Academic Common Market. I planned on paying for the in-state with a loan. I was just going to drive to FSU on Mondays for class and have the rest of the week off. However, this assistantship changed all that. Now, I will be working as a 'Gordon-rule grader' so I have to attend a US History (to 1865) class on MWF and I will be grading 3000-word essays from up to 180 students. Shoot me now. If there is ONE thing I HATE about teaching, it is grading. This one is a time soaker, too. I can only imagine how long this will take. I learned from my undergrad though, that if you make a rubric things will go faster, so that is the plan. This semester is going to be the death of me, but I have never been one to let anything get the best of me. Evidently, to have an assistantship, one must also take 12 hours. That is three classes at the doctoral level. I never took three classes during my M.A. so this is a big step for me. Hopefully, Brayden will be getting easier and easier to deal with since he is getting older. All the other motherly duties will have to be delegated. I just keep telling myself that I can do it. I want to do it. The good thing is, if I go at it three classes at a time it shouldn't take me too long to finish the coursework. My advisor said four semesters, but I need to confirm that for myself.
Okay, enough about my Ph.D. WE MOVED INTO OUR NEW HOUSE!!!! I can't even remember the status of our home purchase when last I blogged, but on February 7, 2012 we closed on the house. This may seem silly, but it really changed our lives. We were crammed into that tiny house for the last nine years. It was okay when it was just me, Jake, and Bailey. However, with five of us, it was cramped. We moved into this house and immediately had about 700 more square feet of living space. Jacob and Bailey finally have their own sizeable bedrooms. Brayden sleeps with us so he doesn't necessarily need a bedroom, but all of his things are in Bailey's room so we call it theirs. There is a second floor that is unfinished but will had about a thousand square feet of living space. We plan to put in a bedroom for Jacob, a gameroom, a guest bedroom, and a full bath up there. This is going to be a costly addition so we put it off for a little while. Hopefully this year though. Meanwhile, we have been getting things situated downstairs and outside. We bought a new dining room table to fit the five of us and a new big comfy recliner, among other things. Anyway, my point is we are just so much happier. Living less than a quarter mile from my dad's house is also a plus. The kids love hopping on their bicycles and being at his house in a minute or two.
Okay, I think that is all for now.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The New Year
It is 2012 and I was not even creative enough to come up with a Resolution. I have had so much going on. Joel and I put in a bid for a house and we are now in the process of purchasing the house. The closing date is a week and a day a way, but I have a feeling we won't have everything done in time. We are currently in underwriting and the mortgage company continues to request more and more information. Since the housing crisis, getting a mortgage has become a painstakingly slow and tedious process. Hopefully we will be moving into our new (and much larger) home by the end of the month. We are all SO excited!
I had planned on starting an Ed.S. degree this semester but I knew I would have to pay out of pocket since I can't have a GA and teach on campus. Unfortunately, we were only able to save up enough money to make the down payment on the house so I couldn't attend school for the Ed.S. Therefore, I'm only teaching two classes and working as an intern for a company at VSU.
Since I have all this time on my hands, I have begun to do things for my enjoyment. For so many years, I only went to college. Now, I wish I had a full time job, but while I don't, I am doing things that I like. I haven't done this in so long and it feels great! I guess this has become my Resolution - enjoying things I like. My dad got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas and since then, I have read about 12 books. I forgot how much I like to read for pleasure. For so long, I only read history books. Reading really gives me an escape from reality. And it is so much more convenient to download books to my Kindle than go to the library or bookstore. I stick to the free downloads so that I don't have buyer's remorse. If I don't like the book, I just delete it. No driving, no shopping!
I also started watching TV for pleasure. We got rid of cable (satellite) in an effort to be more frugal. We now get our entertainment from Netflix and Hulu Plus. I had been forcing myself to only watch educational programming and not bubble gum type shows, but over the holidays, I decided to live a little. I have heard so many great things about Grey's Anatomy for so long that I decided to give that a try since Netflix has all 8 seasons. I started watching them and I am currently up to the end of Season 3. I am so glad I decided to do this. For some reason, since I began to read and watch TV for pleasure, I have really become happier and more carefree. I can't explain it.
I also started using Pinterest yesterday. This is particularly useful for me because I am not the creative type. I love all the ideas that I can get and hopefully put to use in our new home. I can also find ways to fulfill my new frugal lifestyle that I hope to maintain when I get a full time job although I'm afraid the big spender will rear its ugly head again.
More later.
I had planned on starting an Ed.S. degree this semester but I knew I would have to pay out of pocket since I can't have a GA and teach on campus. Unfortunately, we were only able to save up enough money to make the down payment on the house so I couldn't attend school for the Ed.S. Therefore, I'm only teaching two classes and working as an intern for a company at VSU.
Since I have all this time on my hands, I have begun to do things for my enjoyment. For so many years, I only went to college. Now, I wish I had a full time job, but while I don't, I am doing things that I like. I haven't done this in so long and it feels great! I guess this has become my Resolution - enjoying things I like. My dad got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas and since then, I have read about 12 books. I forgot how much I like to read for pleasure. For so long, I only read history books. Reading really gives me an escape from reality. And it is so much more convenient to download books to my Kindle than go to the library or bookstore. I stick to the free downloads so that I don't have buyer's remorse. If I don't like the book, I just delete it. No driving, no shopping!
I also started watching TV for pleasure. We got rid of cable (satellite) in an effort to be more frugal. We now get our entertainment from Netflix and Hulu Plus. I had been forcing myself to only watch educational programming and not bubble gum type shows, but over the holidays, I decided to live a little. I have heard so many great things about Grey's Anatomy for so long that I decided to give that a try since Netflix has all 8 seasons. I started watching them and I am currently up to the end of Season 3. I am so glad I decided to do this. For some reason, since I began to read and watch TV for pleasure, I have really become happier and more carefree. I can't explain it.
I also started using Pinterest yesterday. This is particularly useful for me because I am not the creative type. I love all the ideas that I can get and hopefully put to use in our new home. I can also find ways to fulfill my new frugal lifestyle that I hope to maintain when I get a full time job although I'm afraid the big spender will rear its ugly head again.
More later.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Instigating...again.
For some reason, I can think of more shit to say on Facebook than I can in my own blog. Perhaps it is because I know people are reading it. I have perpetuated some serious political wars lately. It is no secret that I am a flaming liberal, a label I wear with pride. I don't understand the conservatives who spar with me. They respond with such hatred, bigotry, and racism, yet they are the party of Christianity. I no longer post on other people's threads because they have like-minded individuals as friends and I usually wind up on defense when I prefer offense. However, arguing like that has earned me an ideological friend or two that I would have not otherwise had the pleasure of meeting. Nonetheless, I have started posting only on my own threads. I have my backups, not that I really need them, but there is strength in numbers. The positions I take on issues are backed with facts and combined with empathy.
Anyway, I think I just realized why I have a hard time blogging. I do my best work when people give me ammunition with which to respond. Yes. More later.
Anyway, I think I just realized why I have a hard time blogging. I do my best work when people give me ammunition with which to respond. Yes. More later.
Monday, December 19, 2011
I'm such a slacker.
When I first started this blog, I logged on daily and was constantly thinking of topics. The excitement has worn off, unfortunately. Right now I am on Christmas break with the kids and since I have no job, I'm spending the day cleaning my house. I can never catch up with the cleaning, therefore, I have little time to blog. I also wish I could read my book on the JFK assassination but I can't find the time to that either. I don't know how I ever found time to watch TV when we had cable.
JOB. It looks as though I will be teaching another semester of HIST 2112 at VSU in the Spring. I was hoping to have found a full time job already, but I haven't. I love teaching, so I guess adjunct teaching as a holdover for a full time gig is not too bad. My first semester teaching at VSU went famously. My students really enjoyed the class, as evidenced by their responses on the Student Opinion of Instruction. I am excited that I will get to do it again in the Spring and adjust the course accordingly.
SCHOOL. When last I blogged, I had recently learned that I could not continue with the M.Ed. in I.T. Since, I applied for the Ed.S. I.T. program at VSU and was accepted for Spring Admission. This time I know I can't get a GA so I am saving up money to pay for tuition out of pocket. I've had enough of student loans. I'm hoping that starting this degree will lead to employment since the M.A. in History is not doing me any favors. I plan to continue to educate myself until I eventually find a job.
HOUSE. Joel and I are currently under contract for a new home that is just down the road from my dad's house. It is in the neighborhood where I spent my childhood - Tallokas Circle. Our loan application should have arrived at the mortgage company today. Buying a house is an incredible stressful process. And that money that I'm saving up for tuition, yeah I might have to use that for closing. Hopefully not. Our closing date is January 26. It took us two weeks to start the loan process so we are just hoping that doesn't slow us down any. I cannot wait to move into a bigger home. This one is two story but only the bottom story is move-in ready. The upstairs is completely unfinished but we hope to turn it into living quarters for Jacob. Teenagers want their own space. The house we live in now, the one I bought in 2003 at the tender age of 19, will be going up for rent. I'm dreading that process as well. I don't think I have the personality to be a landlord. We'll see.
KIDS. The kids are keeping me busy, as they should. Brayden recently turned two and he is such a cutie. He loves his brothers and is most happy when they are home with him. I'm glad it is Christmas break because they help keep him entertained all day. Bailey will be 11 next week which I cannot believe. He and Brayden are on the same level in a lot of ways. Brayden actually has better language skills than Bailey. Jacob, my teenager, is well, a teenager. If boys are this bad, I would hate to see what raising a girl teenager is like! Glad I have boys!
I think I'm done for now. Hopefully I can find the time to post for Christmas...
JOB. It looks as though I will be teaching another semester of HIST 2112 at VSU in the Spring. I was hoping to have found a full time job already, but I haven't. I love teaching, so I guess adjunct teaching as a holdover for a full time gig is not too bad. My first semester teaching at VSU went famously. My students really enjoyed the class, as evidenced by their responses on the Student Opinion of Instruction. I am excited that I will get to do it again in the Spring and adjust the course accordingly.
SCHOOL. When last I blogged, I had recently learned that I could not continue with the M.Ed. in I.T. Since, I applied for the Ed.S. I.T. program at VSU and was accepted for Spring Admission. This time I know I can't get a GA so I am saving up money to pay for tuition out of pocket. I've had enough of student loans. I'm hoping that starting this degree will lead to employment since the M.A. in History is not doing me any favors. I plan to continue to educate myself until I eventually find a job.
HOUSE. Joel and I are currently under contract for a new home that is just down the road from my dad's house. It is in the neighborhood where I spent my childhood - Tallokas Circle. Our loan application should have arrived at the mortgage company today. Buying a house is an incredible stressful process. And that money that I'm saving up for tuition, yeah I might have to use that for closing. Hopefully not. Our closing date is January 26. It took us two weeks to start the loan process so we are just hoping that doesn't slow us down any. I cannot wait to move into a bigger home. This one is two story but only the bottom story is move-in ready. The upstairs is completely unfinished but we hope to turn it into living quarters for Jacob. Teenagers want their own space. The house we live in now, the one I bought in 2003 at the tender age of 19, will be going up for rent. I'm dreading that process as well. I don't think I have the personality to be a landlord. We'll see.
KIDS. The kids are keeping me busy, as they should. Brayden recently turned two and he is such a cutie. He loves his brothers and is most happy when they are home with him. I'm glad it is Christmas break because they help keep him entertained all day. Bailey will be 11 next week which I cannot believe. He and Brayden are on the same level in a lot of ways. Brayden actually has better language skills than Bailey. Jacob, my teenager, is well, a teenager. If boys are this bad, I would hate to see what raising a girl teenager is like! Glad I have boys!
I think I'm done for now. Hopefully I can find the time to post for Christmas...
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Note: I'm not offended by you calling me educated.
I am something of a political activist on Facebook. I tend to express my opinions on issues when I feel so compelled. For some reason, people get their panties in a wad about this. I try my best to be polite and not snarky but in response (if people have to balls to respond) people try to insult me by accusing me of thinking I am smarter than them. Still others go and post statuses about me (on the downlow) in attempts to belittle me! Two in particular that I find the most amusing - one girl called me "overeducated" and one lamented that I think I know everything because I am virtually a "professional student." Since when is the pursuit of educational attainment a bad thing? And does it not come with the territory that I should be intelligent since I have a lot of university training? I mean, should I have gotten dumber? Someone else insinuated that I was a moron who was indoctrinating students. All because I have an opinion that I voice based on facts that I have researched. This is nothing revolutionary or radical. Okay, I'm sleepy.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Job Interviews : /
I have been searching endlessly for full time employment. I really want to move my family into a bigger house and START A CAREER. I'm 28 years old for crying out loud. I should be several years into a career by now. At this rate, I won't be able to retire until I'm 80. I had two interviews over the past week. One at Albany State and one at the local board of education. I thought they both went very well... haven't heard back yet. Now I'm playing the waiting game.
I also applied for FSUs Ph.D. program. If I happen to get accepted I will be absolutely shocked. If I get a full time job AND get accepted I really don't know what I will do. I am definitely going to try and get myself back in school in the spring or next fall depending on what happens on the job hunt. All this uncertainty is driving me bananas.
Brayden probably won't be thrilled if I get a job. He likes being home with me five days out of the week. I only have to leave him for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday while I teach. He stays with my dad so it is minimally invasive for him. If he went to a daycare I think he would have a panic attack. He is so shy and completely fearful of strangers.
I just wanted to clear my thoughts. That is all for now.
I also applied for FSUs Ph.D. program. If I happen to get accepted I will be absolutely shocked. If I get a full time job AND get accepted I really don't know what I will do. I am definitely going to try and get myself back in school in the spring or next fall depending on what happens on the job hunt. All this uncertainty is driving me bananas.
Brayden probably won't be thrilled if I get a job. He likes being home with me five days out of the week. I only have to leave him for a few hours on Tuesday and Thursday while I teach. He stays with my dad so it is minimally invasive for him. If he went to a daycare I think he would have a panic attack. He is so shy and completely fearful of strangers.
I just wanted to clear my thoughts. That is all for now.
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