actuary v teacher

[MG]

I don't understand how you reconcile the "rewarding" internship with the prediction that you will "drag your feet" into work every day as an actuary.

I am married to a college math instructor. Do you enjoy grading papers and whiny underachieving students? That seems to take up the majority of his time and energy.

[DreamTheater]

Originally Posted by Hero3128

So why are you having so much difficulty making up your mind? Sounds like you have some nagging doubts about being a teacher, what are they?

My doubts, to be honest, are the politics. I can't ignore them--- It is quite an issue. This is why I want to go into university teaching as a professor or private tutoring.

[Hero3128]

Originally Posted by DreamTheater

My doubts, to be honest, are the politics. I can't ignore them--- It is quite an issue. This is why I want to go into university teaching as a professor or private tutoring.

Ha ha... I was a university math teacher for many years, and we had plenty of political problems there too. Academia in this country is just FUBAR. The tutoring idea sounds good though. You'll be especially productive if you can do it online, and charge $50+ an hour.

[Interrogative Statement]

Originally Posted by Hero3128

Ha ha... I was a university math teacher for many years, and we had plenty of political problems there too. Academia in this country is just FUBAR. The tutoring idea sounds good though. You'll be especially productive if you can do it online, and charge $50+ an hour.

Oh come on though, like the corporate world isn't?

[Stillgreen]

OP, I have a similar "teaching" spirit. It's an incredible feeling when you successfully get someone to understand something.

Unfortunately as a teacher, there is a lot of crap you have to deal with outside of the actual teaching. I did America Reads/Counts for a summer and I'm amazed how much political bullshit the teachers had to go through. Then I talked with my professors in college and it really doesn't change much (more pay and they had to write papers). They were the ones that actually filled me in on the actuarial career.

As an actuarial, you do get opportunities to "teach": you have to explain things to clients and others in your department; not to mention the new students that join the company.

In my case, I will probably pursue the actuarial path for a while. And maybe down the line, I can switch over to working at a community/learning center once finances are set. In either case, I wouldn't consider the traditional teacher career until the education system has changed.

[mlschop]

I know money isn't everything, but unless you are living at home and don't have any expenses, I can't imagine going from making ~$100K as a new FSA/FCAS to $40-50K as an EL teacher.

Do people that enter teaching from years doing something else get ANY get credit for their former experience in terms of salary (i.e. so maybe you'd start at a 5-year teacher's salary)?

[Patience]

Originally Posted by mlschop

I know money isn't everything, but unless you are living at home and don't have any expenses, I can't imagine going from making ~$100K as a new FSA/FCAS to $40-50K as an EL teacher.

Do people that enter teaching from years doing something else get ANY get credit for their former experience in terms of salary (i.e. so maybe you'd start at a 5-year teacher's salary)?

I doubt it.

My daughter has her master's and is going slightly better than the $50k, in a fairly low cost area. Plus you get the summers off, so you can supplement income or just enjoy your time. and that is a very nice perk

[Hero3128]

Originally Posted by Interrogative Statement

Oh come on though, like the corporate world isn't?

Good point, but for me the big advantage is this: At least in the corporate world, I get to take abuse from adults instead of 18-year-old punks, which is less humiliating, IMO.

[1695814]

OP, I think you need to listen to your own words:

Pull me under Pull me under
Pull me under I'm not afraid
All that I feel is honor and spite
All I can do is to set it right

Now, I have no idea what they're saying to you, but I think the answer's in there.

[Interrogative Statement]

Originally Posted by Hero3128

Good point, but for me the big advantage is this: At least in the corporate world, I get to take abuse from adults instead of 18-year-old punks, which is less humiliating, IMO.

At least you know the little *******s (see other thread) are going to have their own dose of reality down the road.

The "project managers" who have had to work for nothing and whose sole job it is to tell others what to do.... now THAT is a real problem.