I have a lot of time to think and reflect and most recently I have been thinking about what I want to do in the future. I have the chance to re-contract with the JET program come February. If I do re-contract I would stay in Hongu and continue teaching for another year and would finish in July of 2012. While this would basically guarantee me a job until 2012, I don’t know if I want to stay that long. I feel like if I did stay for another year I would only be staying because of the money I am making, not because I love what I am doing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy my job, but I don’t love my job. Teaching English and playing games with the kids is a lot of fun but if you know me you know that I am a very ambitious person. I like to feel as though I am progressing, constantly moving. I don’t have that with the JET program. If I stayed for another year I would be doing the same thing I am doing now but my Japanese would probably be a lot better.
If I decided not to re-contract I would go back home July 2011 and find a job. I really think I should find a job that will give me some good international business experience which I am currently lacking. I would work for sometime while at the same time study for my LSAT and GMAT exams. I need these two exams to apply to either an MBA program or law school. These two options have been on my short list ever since I can remember and I still very much want do one of them. Recently, I have been looking at joint MBA/JD programs where I would get both degrees in about 3-4 years. This sounds like the best of both worlds! Thunderbird in Arizona offers this dual degree program with Vermont Law School, so that is definitely a possibility (if I can get accepted.)
The other option is Teach for America. They introduced a fast-track option for those who were accepted and waitlisted this past year. I guess I really have to think about why I want to do the program and a big part of me says I want the challenge. It’s a tough program and I know that I can do it if I honestly give my all to the program but I would still be teaching. No business experience. What I like about the program is that I would be in the States in either Chicago, Milwaukee or Austin (the only placements I would accept) so I wouldn’t be terribly far from my family and friends. The other thing is how difficult it is to get accepted to Teach for America. This past year it was harder to get into TFA than to an Ivy League graduate school. Part of me wants to be able to say I “Taught for America” and I made a difference.
So that’s where I am at. Thoughts, concerns and advice would greatly be appreciated!
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Dearest Luis, You might want to check requirments for joint MBA/JD programs. FSU has one and Jason was looking into it but you needed to have lots of businesses classes already or stay an extra year or year and a half. You would probably qualify since that is what you studied, but just make sure.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and I am in the same boat. I am still not sure if I want to stay with Americorps another year, try school, or find a 'real' job. Or just say f it all and write full time.
Hey Luis (It's Carter) - I'm also thinking very seriously about law school/grad programs. I figure that I'll re-contract and use all my free time next year (and this job comes with a LOT of free time) to study for the LSAT or GRE and applications (once I finally decide which path I wanna take). And a little cash in the bank before a boatload of law school debt certainly isn't a bad thing...
ReplyDeleteDo you know anyone who has done Teach for America before? I feel like I have heard negative things...but you will always find people who had awful experiences, along with the opposite - wonderful, life-changing experiences, too. My roommate's girlfriend is currently doing TFA and I think she's had a hard time. Again - it could be her school, the town, her co-workers, who knows. Not necessarily the TFA program. But I would try to talk to people who have done it before.
ReplyDeleteSomething else to consider is that you've done this teaching thing for a year now (or will have when you're done with JET). Perhaps switch things up and try something on the business track like you said. Remember that nothing is ever permanent - if you're not happy, you can always go back to TFA as a future option.