I'm tired of my job but I can't leave. Any suggestions?
By kevchua
@kevchua (1004)
Malaysia
August 11, 2009 1:11am CST
I'm tired of my job as an English teacher. Yes, i know it's a noble profession, but somehow the love for it has fizzled out. I don't want to do research for my faculty - it's not my interest though the management insists; I'd rather spend time updating my blog and my language website (you can check it out in my profile). However, I'm in a dilemma.
Though I'm losing patience, I doubt it's gonna be easy for me to get another job considering my age. My 20 years of experience in the academic line may or may not be helpful in times of economic crisis like now. I don't think I'm gonna move to another city because I'm not single anymore - and I've house payments to make.
I want to leave not because of the money; the environment does not make me happy anymore - unlike the time when I first started here.
If there's a way I could work from home and earn about US$1,000 monthly, I'd be glad to do it.
So what do you think should happen next? Do you have any suggestions?
2 people like this
8 responses
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
13 Aug 09
You need a change of environment. Some of my colleagues tried it out at NYU and Stanford. Look for a teaching post with a study grant. There are offers at embassies. I think Japan and Germany are very generous when it comes to further advancement in careers. There are also slots wherein you can bring your family. There are also international schools where you can apply. Perhaps it is time to make that drastic change.
1 person likes this
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
13 Aug 09
Hi eileen, if i were younger, I'd opt to work in a government university but i've passed that minimum age. I admire those who are bold to leave their homes and families to work abroad for years - well, I'm a homey person. Nevertheless i wouldn't mind working in another city. Let's see what I could look out for in the next few months... maybe a miracle would happen.
Thanks for the reply 
1 person likes this
@CJscott (4187)
• Portage La Prairie, Manitoba
11 Aug 09
I have a few suggestions. The first is - Reflect on what is different now, then what was before. Remember what it was like when the fire was burning strong.
Ask yourself the 5 right questions.
As for work at home. US 1000/month, is fairly easily done. Especially if your good at building relationships...
I will send you an e-book to read, and when you are done reading that we can talk more.
Cheers.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Aug 09
hi with your education you could tutor at home and charge'
a goodly fee, aNd with enough clients you cou ld make
1000 a month. why dont you try it,as it wouldnt be like
working all day in a school,you could set your own
hours and find out what the going pay is for tutoring
'I know around where i am tutors do quite well.I am
'wondering if there are any legitimate websites for'tutors
that you could do on your computer?
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
16 Aug 09
Hi Hatley, i've been thinking about tutoring for a while but somehow have been a chicken - not willing to make that change. If I tutor after regular working hours, I'd not have a life. If it's only on weekends, I'm not able to leave my current job at all as I wouldn't earn enough to cover the house payment. Still need to work things out. Nevertheless, thanks for the input - appreciate it.
@ucue2008 (924)
• Malaysia
16 Aug 09
Wow, a tough questions. You do not like something but yet you cannot do anything about it because all the risks involve. Me too, currently stuck in that situation. I like the job, but I don;t like the palce. I really wish to be transfer from here, but they say I need to stay here at least three years before I can apply for move. It just my first year in here and to wait for another two years, I don't know what will happen to me. Anyway good luck to you
@crimsonladybug (3112)
• United States
16 Aug 09
As a teacher, especially an English teacher, you have a lot of different roads you can take to get out of your rut but still put your experiences and education to use. As a seasoned veteran you can go to the administration and ask to implement a new class. A creative writing class or an alternative literature class (by "alternative" I mean something outside of the standard American Literature, British Literature, World Literature, poetry... Maybe class where you and your students spend the whole semester studying crime novels or classic horror. Or take a year off and write a book about what you have learned as a teacher.
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
16 Aug 09
Hi crimsonladybuy, it's certainly great if I could do what you have suggested. Unfortunately, I don't live in the US where the education system and the school administration is more liberal and would listen to you (though they might not agree). Over here, the system is in place, teachers carry it out without question. Therefore, marching to the dean's office to ask for a change would be really futile. I'd love to take a year off, but that means I won't get my pay and that also means I've to quit my job and reapply as a new staff. Like what we say over here: "This is not our grandfather's school" so we can't do whatever we like.
So, our hands (my hands) are actually tied though I wish I could use your suggestion. Thanks a million for responding.
@cordave (3)
• United States
12 Aug 09
You are stuck in a situation. The responsibility of a household has plenty of us shackled to the desk of a 9 to 5. However, have you tried new teaching techniques? Something to change the style or way you present your material perhaps? I am a youth football coach (not comparing that to teaching) and sometimes my kids get bored or exhausted with my set program. So I may do something totally different to regain their attention. The excitement of the little ones also rev up my spirits as well. Hope this helps. Good luck.
@kevchua (1004)
• Malaysia
13 Aug 09
well, i couldn't agree with you more, cordave. I think I'm indeed stuck for now. I'm not good in social networking or else doing marketing wouldn't be much of a problem - or else I wouldn't be a teacher in the first place 
It's not the teaching part that's making feel the way I feel now. It's the mood. You know, sometimes when you've been somewhere for too long, you feel it's time to look elsewhere or do something that suits your present interest. Anyway, like what I've mentioned, the age factor and other commitments could be a problem, which is why I'm looking for the possibility of working from home - I know it's not a stroll in the park.
Anyway, let's wait and see how things turn out. Thanks for the response.
It's not the teaching part that's making feel the way I feel now. It's the mood. You know, sometimes when you've been somewhere for too long, you feel it's time to look elsewhere or do something that suits your present interest. Anyway, like what I've mentioned, the age factor and other commitments could be a problem, which is why I'm looking for the possibility of working from home - I know it's not a stroll in the park.
Anyway, let's wait and see how things turn out. Thanks for the response.
@cwong77 (2010)
• Malaysia
11 Aug 09
hey friend.. I am working from home, and yet I am happy to earn RM1,000 per month, and you are looking at USD1,000? Well, it's something still achievable if you are explosive on those online trading and stuff... and being a teacher is not easy ya... I can't suggest you any of those online earning tips, since myself is exploring it, but I can wish you all the best in achieving your target!
Take a break, have a chocolate, and you feel all energise...
