What would you do? #2

KathrynHannah · **What would you do? #2**

Your best friend decided in her early 30s to get her teaching degree which she had always dreamed of doing. She went back to school, put her two young kids in daycare and took on $60,000 in student loans. She is now in year 3 of teaching and she hates everything but the fact she has the same holidays as her school age kids. She is miserable. She wants out but she feels she should continue to teach until she has at least paid off her student loans. (Her husband is a carpenter and makes about $30,000 a year - not enough to support the family and pay off the loans.)

What should she do? What would you tell her if she asked your advice on the matter?

Maman1 · 03-02-2008, 08:39 PM

I would say she needs to do a lot of other things before she quits. Think about why she's miserable doing her dream job for one. Should she change schools? Go to a private school, where she would earn (usually) less but have smaller classes? Change age groups? Shift fields somewhat? She can do a lot with a teaching degree that is within the field but not necessarily exactly what she is doing that is making her so miserable.

I don't think just plain quitting is a legitimate option. But she should certainly figure out what is making her miserable and change that. (There's plenty of room for change that will still earn a salary.)

melsb · 03-02-2008, 08:50 PM

I agree that quitting is not an option at this point. She can look at other schools or even other types of work (a teaching degree and help with lots of fields) but she does need to buck up and pay off that debt.

Happymom · 03-02-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maman1

I would say she needs to do a lot of other things before she quits. Think about why she's miserable doing her dream job for one. Should she change schools? Go to a private school, where she would earn (usually) less but have smaller classes? Change age groups? Shift fields somewhat? She can do a lot with a teaching degree that is within the field but not necessarily exactly what she is doing that is making her so miserable.

I don't think just plain quitting is a legitimate option. But she should certainly figure out what is making her miserable and change that. (There's plenty of room for change that will still earn a salary.)

That is exactally what I was going to say!!

jcnmom · 03-02-2008, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maman1

I would say she needs to do a lot of other things before she quits. Think about why she's miserable doing her dream job for one. Should she change schools? Go to a private school, where she would earn (usually) less but have smaller classes? Change age groups? Shift fields somewhat? She can do a lot with a teaching degree that is within the field but not necessarily exactly what she is doing that is making her so miserable.

I don't think just plain quitting is a legitimate option. But she should certainly figure out what is making her miserable and change that. (There's plenty of room for change that will still earn a salary.)

My thoughts exactly!

brensmom · 03-03-2008, 08:48 AM

i agree that quiting is not really an option and she needs to look at all her options.

michellect · 03-03-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maman1

I would say she needs to do a lot of other things before she quits. Think about why she's miserable doing her dream job for one. Should she change schools? Go to a private school, where she would earn (usually) less but have smaller classes? Change age groups? Shift fields somewhat? She can do a lot with a teaching degree that is within the field but not necessarily exactly what she is doing that is making her so miserable.

I don't think just plain quitting is a legitimate option. But she should certainly figure out what is making her miserable and change that. (There's plenty of room for change that will still earn a salary.)

I agree with this.

mommytosa · 03-03-2008, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maman1

I would say she needs to do a lot of other things before she quits. Think about why she's miserable doing her dream job for one. Should she change schools? Go to a private school, where she would earn (usually) less but have smaller classes? Change age groups? Shift fields somewhat? She can do a lot with a teaching degree that is within the field but not necessarily exactly what she is doing that is making her so miserable.

I don't think just plain quitting is a legitimate option. But she should certainly figure out what is making her miserable and change that. (There's plenty of room for change that will still earn a salary.)

desertmom · 03-04-2008, 04:13 AM

Can she go into administration? The best way to change something you don't like is to be in a position where you have the power to affect a change.

Lancelotacres · 03-04-2008, 09:21 AM

I definitely think she should make sure her loans are paid off before quitting, but I do think quitting is an option after they are paid off.

If she is miserable, then she should find out why (like pp mentioned) and figure out if there is something she can change or if she should just stick it out until those loans are paid.

If she absolutely can't stand it, maybe she could figure out what the least amount of $$ she can make and still pay their bills...then she could switch to maybe a part-time job, or a less-miserable one.

I don't believe anybody should be miserable in life. There is always a way to make it better...it may not be right now, but if you work at it, you CAN change it.