Teaching in Career Schools
Teaching, in general, is a very rewarding career. Teaching in Career Schools is both challenging and rewarding.
Learners enroll in courses that will prepare them for entry-level jobs in six to 10 months. An an instructor, you have to prepare these learners acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that they will use on the job as soon as they complete their courses.
I enjoy working with students who are motivated to learn, come to school everyday, and learn the trade/profession. The ultimate enjoyment comes when that student gets a job!
For over 30 years now, learners enter my classroom/school, participate in classroom learning activities, graduate, and obtain gainful employment. The most rewarding is when you bring a student from "zero level" to a rewarding job. It has always been a very pleasant experience when a student returns to the school to say, "Thank you for your help, Teacher."
Sometimes, the "process" is more difficult than others. The most painful is when you find out a student who has great potential to do well drops out of the class.
I wish every student is a positive outcome. It motivates me to do better; it generates a lot of enthusiasm; and it builds the character of people. It validates the fact that TEACHING is the greatest profession!
Hi Mimi,
Good but tough question. A career choice needs to be based upon being informed about the requirements of the area, realistic about being able to do the work and meaningful personally in terms of valuing the outcomes of the work. If any of these elements are missing then a wrong career choice has been made. I would suggest that you sit down with someone from the counseling office, the student and yourself and have a frank discussion on the requirements of being a PL and what some other options might be for this student. In other some cases I have brought someone from the field in to talk with the student. That person can really help to make the field real and the qualifications come to life in terms of being successful later. The individual does not have to make a judgment or recommendation just the career requirements. This can be a reality check for the student. If the student does not take the given advice then the student may have to fail in the career before he/she accepts the fact that this career is not really for them.
Gary
My greatest concern is when I encounter students who are simply not equipped with sufficient intelligence to actually function well in the work environment. I teach would-be paralegals, and tell them: A good PL must as be as smart as a lawyer and twice as organized. I can teach organization, but capacity for anyalysis is innate. How do I handle a student who doesn't have it...squeaks by with C's, and who would be out of place in a law office?
Hi Dennis,
That is what keeps up coming back day after day.
The reward of having made a difference in the lives of our students. When they share with us that we did make a difference it gets us pumped and ready to concentrate on doing an even better job.
Gary
I enjoy the rewards after a class when a student or students come to my class and thank me for teaching them.This makes all the difference in the world.
I am totaly Agree. After 40 years teaching a diferent levels, "Thank you for your help, Teacher." is the most rewarding words we can heard.
Thank you for the Post Mr. Pagimola.
I like the fact that I can say that I make a difference the people's lives. This can be somewhat difficult at times but it is also quite rewarding. Teaching is, indeed, a great profession...
Hi Angelo,
Thank you for these inspiring comments about what it means to be a teacher. This is the kind of attitude that gets other people excited about becoming teachers. Keep up this wonderful attitude.
Gary
