ext_66943 ([identity profile] whitereflection.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] whitereflection 2009-10-21 03:31 am (UTC)

♥ You're always so good at empathizing, and I never show my appreciation of it enough. And it always does mean a ton to know someone out there can relate and know what it's like. But the professor thing, I know I couldn't do that--my brother is like perfect for it, me not at all. Especially since I know some about academia from seeing it from the university staff member perspective for so long. Though the basic thing is I'm utterly terrible at anything approaching teaching--I've had to tutor, and have had to train, and I'm not only terrible at it, I hate the way I feel when in that situation. Like this massive whole body stress-anxiety attack. Plus I literally am incapable of explaining what I know ^^;

The proofing/editing thing though, that's interesting to bring up. Because I have been attracted to that, a lot actually. Used to like to beta/edit for people's fic in certain online fandoms and for my friend when she completed a couple of her novels (hopefully she's getting the bug to finally try submitting things for publication...). And one of the part time jobs I applied for recently (if September can be counted as recently : / ) was for proofreading--and I actually *wanted* that one. Naturally not even a phonecall on that one of course. So that, that definitely I'm going to need to think on. One of the many reasons I probably wasn't called back was the lack of an English degree or current work/exposure to style manuals and technique beyond occasional hobby tasks.

The thought of seriously going back to school does make me nervous though. That would definitely take a total readjustment of lifestyle, as well as incurring debt, something that is actually unusual for us (I was a scholarship kid, his parents paid for his education, all we've got now is the house). But...whether I went for the local community college type places, or back to UNO, both are pretty danged cheap, frankly. Wouldn't be like my brother's law school bills (that's like a small mortgage, criminy). But school would potentially lead to that MFA if I were serious, or at least give time to consider it more fully.

This being said, I think again to my brother, who was already doing the lawyer thing when he *also* did his English degree, via an online university. Honestly, I don't know if I could work and do school at the same time--especially not full time work. But a lot of people do, with ease. : /

I dunno. This might need some researching and serious consideration. But sorry for the rambling >_< I've been 'thinking out loud' via typing a great deal of late. But thank you for the thoughts and food for thought!

Lastly, though! To be honest, I think you would do really well with teaching. With the sort of skills you have from your work (even the skills gained on how to deal with hard-to-deal-with people and high-stress situations ^^; ), and your personality/creativity/outlook on life, I think you could be really good at it.

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