Now I understand why they'd tell students this- look how attainable a great job is! But why the fuck are they telling us? All I could think about after that was why the hell am I not working at a biotech? My undergrad degree was in biology, I definitely have the skills and knowledge required for at least a bottom of the barrel beginning position. And I know they'd pay me way more than I make now and maybe even pay me more than I will ever make as a teacher (in NC a teaching salary caps at $50,000/year after teaching for 25 years, a number which hasn't changed for almost a decade).
I just... ugh. I know money isn't everything. I've got a pretty easy job right now with good students and a good school to work in. I'm definitely not going to quit to start working at a biotech because I'm so freaking sick of switching jobs (four schools in just six years is a lot of job switching and it gets exhausting). I fucking hate NC for being such dicks to teachers. I knew I'd never be a rich teacher, especially in NC. But this sucks, man. I find myself in my classroom thinking about how little I get paid. I'm less enthusiastic. And I hate that I know I won't make a dime more next year, no matter how awesome of a teacher I am. No matter how well I do my job, my salary won't increase for years.
*sigh*
On the up side my SO and I booked a trip to NYC in October! It's our first flight that was paid for with his miles which is pretty exciting. He's been traveling about every other week, next week he'll be back in South America, two weeks ago he was in Spain. He's also gaining ground in his company, the big-wigs keep having meetings and telling him how great he is and how happy they are to have him. So at least my SO will make enough money to support my drinking habit, right?
LG- That's exactly one of the reasons I'm not going to change right now. We're sure my SO will be transferred in a few years and I'll go with him. It's better for me to stay in teaching for now. It'll all be fine. . .