DragonFaerie Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I’ve been working on getting my MA in English for two years now with the hopes of teaching online literature and writing classes at the community college level (I have no interest in pursuing a Ph.D. for university/tenure careers). My student loan balances are more than some people’s mortgages. I will probably never have them paid off. On top of that, it sounds more and more like finding decent online teaching opportunities may not be possible at all and certainly finding enough work to sustain a household is quite unlikely. I absolutely do NOT want to work outside the home (for a variety of reasons, so please don’t suggest that). I worked for several years as a contract mortgage loan processor when the kids were very young, and I really enjoyed. But, licensing requirements in the last several years have made that an impossibility now. I am a fairly good writer, but I do not like writing SEO content, blogs, etc. and have no real areas of expertise anyway (the mortgage experience is too old to be relevant now). I have done transcription, which is all well and good, but not something I can see doing long-term nor even enough on a daily basis to make any real money (I just can't sit and type for that many hours a day). I’m feeling quite depressed about my future right now. This is really a JAWM thread because I just don’t think I can stand hearing about how I should put on my big girl panties and go out and get a job, etc. I’m just feeling really down and hopeless right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm sorry. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm sorry. How about home tutoring in english? I have a neighbor doing that as her only job. People bring their kids to her home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: Online teaching really does vary based on location. Our cc has full timers getting the online courses. As an adjunct, I've only taught I think 3 online courses over the last 12 years. But teaching on campus in the evenings has worked pretty well for me. :grouphug: I hope you find something that works for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinaPagnato Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm so sorry you're feeling down. :( In my experience, many times when things look the most hopeless, circumstances turn around and that *thing* you need to happen, happens. :grouphug: to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneStepAtATime Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Yes would home tutoring be possible? Maybe look at training in Barton or Wilson and do tutoring for dyslexic kids as well as English and writing tutoring? Barton even helps you find ways to advertise and run your tutoring business. And huge hugs!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm really sorry, Dragon. (((hugs))) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm really sorry. From what I hear, more and more colleges are offering online courses, and there are many state run online high schools. I hope something opens up for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartosunshine Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: I hope an opportunity comes your way soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heatherwith4 Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Have you got any teaching experience at all? If so, you could do online scoring for Pearson. The work is erratic (maybe 2 or 3 months a year total) but the pay is decent ($20/hr or so) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Praying for something awesome to come along for you!! :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm sorry. How about home tutoring in english? I have a neighbor doing that as her only job. People bring their kids to her home. Yes would home tutoring be possible? Maybe look at training in Barton or Wilson and do tutoring for dyslexic kids as well as English and writing tutoring? Barton even helps you find ways to advertise and run your tutoring business. And huge hugs!!! I'm really sorry. From what I hear, more and more colleges are offering online courses, and there are many state run online high schools. I hope something opens up for you. Have you got any teaching experience at all? If so, you could do online scoring for Pearson. The work is erratic (maybe 2 or 3 months a year total) but the pay is decent ($20/hr or so) Thanks for the suggestions and the kind words. Part of my problem is that we live in a pretty small town (graduating class for our local high school was 88 kids last year). There just isn't much of a market. I have applied to Pearson a couple of times but haven't gotten a call back from them as yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I, too, am sorry you're feeling down about this. For what it's worth, and this also is definitely not a full-time, support-your-family gig, you might take a look at Tutor.com. I've been working for them part-time for about a year, and I like it. The money isn't enough to live on (starting at about $9 an hour, as I recall), but the hourly rate isn't bad given that I get to more or less set my own hours and can work in my PJs on my own computer. I'm looking for something more for the fall, too. I've applied for a bunch of stuff recently and haven't had so much as a nibble. So, I can relate a bit to your feelings. I'll keep my fingers crossed that both of us find something great soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 i'm sorry; its lousy! here's hoping something wonderful happens soon! hugs, ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm sorry. You sound so discouraged. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm sorry. :grouphug: Do you have any interest in starting your own teaching web site with homeschool clients over the internet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 I, too, am sorry you're feeling down about this. For what it's worth, and this also is definitely not a full-time, support-your-family gig, you might take a look at Tutor.com. I've been working for them part-time for about a year, and I like it. The money isn't enough to live on (starting at about $9 an hour, as I recall), but the hourly rate isn't bad given that I get to more or less set my own hours and can work in my PJs on my own computer. I'm looking for something more for the fall, too. I've applied for a bunch of stuff recently and haven't had so much as a nibble. So, I can relate a bit to your feelings. I'll keep my fingers crossed that both of us find something great soon! Thanks for the suggestion. I applied at Tutor.com and just scored 100% on their English test. Unfortunately, they don't need English tutors right now. I'll keep checking back, though, and maybe try another test or two in the meantime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 No major advice except don't give up. There might be some other avenues you have not explored. What about stuff like editing? In terms of the loans, they do have programs out there now that are based on income (not the old income plan they used to have). Basically the intention with these payback configurations is to address people pursuing areas that will never pay all that great. You pay based on your income for a set period of time and then after the rest is forgiven (but must be claimed on taxes). I did book editing for an epublisher for about a year. I enjoyed that, but unfortunately, it doesn't pay. They do a percentage of royalties which turned out to be negligible (my first quarterly statement was for $3.34 and I had already been with them for a year). So, I was pretty much working for free. :( I'm sorry. :grouphug: Do you have any interest in starting your own teaching web site with homeschool clients over the internet? I would love something like this, but I have no idea how to go about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenny in Florida Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Thanks for the suggestion. I applied at Tutor.com and just scored 100% on their English test. Unfortunately, they don't need English tutors right now. I'll keep checking back, though, and maybe try another test or two in the meantime. I had the same issue. So, I took and passed the social studies test. (My degree is in English, but after years of homeschooling . . .). Apparently, they did need social studies tutors, and I was brought on right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 Bummer. I'm hope something turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I'm sorry, dragonFaerie. (((Hugs))) I've always loved your avatar. I have Irish ancestry so IKWYM about can't stay calm! I also love the joke, "what's Irish Alzheimer's?" "It's when you forget everything except who you're mad at." :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I've been working on getting my MA in English for two years now with the hopes of teaching online literature and writing classes at the community college level (I have no interest in pursuing a Ph.D. for university/tenure careers). My student loan balances are more than some people’s mortgages. I will probably never have them paid off. On top of that, it sounds more and more like finding decent online teaching opportunities may not be possible at all and certainly finding enough work to sustain a household is quite unlikely. Just Agreed WIth You. If you don't mind us asking, you say that you are two years into your MA -- are you almost done, or do you have a ways to go? I would hope that if you are close, you can hang on and finish. Would you consider teaching online at the high school level? My feeling is that there are more opportunities at that age group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 29, 2014 Author Share Posted June 29, 2014 Just Agreed WIth You. If you don't mind us asking, you say that you are two years into your MA -- are you almost done, or do you have a ways to go? I would hope that if you are close, you can hang on and finish. Would you consider teaching online at the high school level? My feeling is that there are more opportunities at that age group. I should finish in September of next year (I can only manage one class at a time), and yes, I would love to teach online high school. The problem with that is that I don't have a teaching certificate. And from what I've found, a cert requires even more classes that I would have to pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted June 29, 2014 Share Posted June 29, 2014 I should finish in September of next year (I can only manage one class at a time), and yes, I would love to teach online high school. The problem with that is that I don't have a teaching certificate. And from what I've found, a cert requires even more classes that I would have to pay for. Some certifications can be emergency certifications and then you get the coursework you need for certification while teaching. I'd think having a masters and experience homeschooling would be really good for getting a position with a virtual school... I've also made a very little money doing text review for publishing companies. Let a book rep at your school know that you'd be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I just wanted to add that our state has a big online high school. Its offices are in one city, yes, but the teachers are all over the state. A couple of my kids took a course with it, and we discovered that NONE of their teachers lived in that city; they live all over the state in different places. So, I think even if you live in a small town, you could still apply at online schools whose offices are in a different area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Three words: Income. Based. Repayment. It makes those big loans a lot less scary. We didn't have it when we got out of school, and it is just as well, as we could (barely) manage our (insanely high) payments on our income, and at least we are getting it paid off (some day), which IBR won't necessarily achieve. However, IBR does make student debt a lot less terrifying when I think of my kids. I won't let them take on undergrad debt, but once they are "grown ups" I won't be able to stop them from taking on big grad school debt (like we did, and it really was the right thing for us) . . . and at least with IBR, there is a "way out" other than selling your kidneys. So, my advice is just to research IBR, make a plan to use it properly, and then muddle along the best you can. Be sure to enroll in IBR right away so your "clock starts ticking" . . . and be sure to make a plan to pay the taxes on the forgiven amount (assuming you don't ever earn enough to pay it all back) . . . I have read advisors recommending to 1) make minimum IBR payments and 2) start a dedicated (tax deferred if possible) savings account for the (possible enormous) tax bill you'd get when the loans get forgiven at the end of your repayment period. If I were advising a person with big loans and uncertain ability to pay them back, that's what I'd advise. (((hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I’m feeling quite depressed about my future right now. This is really a JAWM thread because I just don’t think I can stand hearing about how I should put on my big girl panties and go out and get a job, etc. I’m just feeling really down and hopeless right now.[/size][/font] I'm sorry. My situation is a little different, but I'm sitting at home all day with kids in school, a post grad qualification, and no earthly idea how I can get work that doesn't require the kids to be with sitters after school and during the holidays, which is simply not what we want for them. I go through cycles of being resigned to this, and being, as you say, 'really down and hopeless'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I would love something like this, but I have no idea how to go about it. As far as online tutoring, I've never done it. But perhaps you could offer someone (privately or advertised elsewhere) Skype sessions to help with their writing. I think quite a bit can be done via Skype and email or Google Docs. Maybe offer it for very low cost and increase your price as you gain references? Advertise on homeschool blogs or wherever it's allowed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 ((hugs)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have a few questions and they might be too personal. Just ignore them if they are but I'm trying to brainstorm on ideas for you. Are you wanting to work to support your family or to supplement a spouse's income? Are you opposed to working outside the home forever or just until your kids graduate? Are you currently living off of your student loans? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 I tried to work for an online school at one time. In our state, we don't have online programs through the state or local districts, so anything I do would be for an outside company. However, the pay was far too low for me to make it a career, and they stated I needed to be home in the evenings so that I could be available to students. I just have too many evening activities to do that. My point I guess is that you will also need to know all the details before you jump on a stay at home job like this. If it works for you, great, but there are stipulations. I am sorry you haven't found anything so far. I too would like to know if not working outside the home is a forever thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 Yes, getting English college teaching jobs without a lot of teaching experience (I assume?) is very tough, and then online is even harder. I'm sorry, but there are too many people with the degree you're getting. At the local community colleges, the majority of English professors came from public and private high schools, most were part-time first. I teach online for two institutions and face-to-face for another. The hours work very well for me. I also do online course development and online faculty development seminars on a contract basis. Even being a STEM professor, getting full-time online work is next to impossible for me. I've been teaching online for seven years, which was the "right" time to start this because so many professors didn't want to do that, and the college I was working for at the time had just opened their online component. So keep trying, but you may have to take a different route on your path to teaching online. It is a tough field to break into right now. I have multiple friends who have tried and tried, and none of them have had any success in getting anything with decent pay. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 I have a few questions and they might be too personal. Just ignore them if they are but I'm trying to brainstorm on ideas for you. Are you wanting to work to support your family or to supplement a spouse's income? Are you opposed to working outside the home forever or just until your kids graduate? Are you currently living off of your student loans? The first question is hard to answer due to the complications of my current situation. But yes, I think I just need supplemental income, but I'm still shooting for $1000 a month. More would be even better. I hope to never have to work outside the home. Yes, right now I'm currently living off student loans (please don't judge; I know it's a bad, BAD idea but it's what I have right now) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Thank you, everyone, for all the suggestions and support. There have been some really good ideas and some things I can definitely look into. I really appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 Yes, getting English college teaching jobs without a lot of teaching experience (I assume?) is very tough, and then online is even harder. I'm sorry, but there are too many people with the degree you're getting. At the local community colleges, the majority of English professors came from public and private high schools, most were part-time first. I teach online for two institutions and face-to-face for another. The hours work very well for me. I also do online course development and online faculty development seminars on a contract basis. Even being a STEM professor, getting full-time online work is next to impossible for me. I've been teaching online for seven years, which was the "right" time to start this because so many professors didn't want to do that, and the college I was working for at the time had just opened their online component. So keep trying, but you may have to take a different route on your path to teaching online. It is a tough field to break into right now. I have multiple friends who have tried and tried, and none of them have had any success in getting anything with decent pay. :grouphug: This is what I'm afraid of. I'm not even adverse to changing my degree program in order to have better opportunities, but I'm afraid I won't have enough borrowing power left to finish at this point. I've considered accounting because I'm pretty good with numbers (though not enough higher-level math for a mathematics degree), but I'm not sure if that's a good idea either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
applethyme Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted June 30, 2014 Share Posted June 30, 2014 The first question is hard to answer due to the complications of my current situation. But yes, I think I just need supplemental income, but I'm still shooting for $1000 a month. More would be even better. I hope to never have to work outside the home. Yes, right now I'm currently living off student loans (please don't judge; I know it's a bad, BAD idea but it's what I have right now) :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm living on student income (although this fall will not be as many loans as last year). I do have a part-time temp job interview tomorrow. Facing a different reality is difficult. I'm sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted June 30, 2014 Author Share Posted June 30, 2014 :grouphug: :grouphug: I'm living on student income (although this fall will not be as many loans as last year). I do have a part-time temp job interview tomorrow. Facing a different reality is difficult. I'm sorry. Thanks. And good luck on your interview. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: I understand it can be frustrating. Like you, I'm interested in supplementing our income from an "at-home" opportunity. Maybe just take some time off to revamp. You need to sustain a household. Take that time off and come back thinking outside the box. Are you able to talk to friends, family, attend workshops, etc. to help in your search? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I had a thought this morning; you think you don't have any interests that would be good for a blog, but you are a home school mom. An education blog should have many readers. I used to follow several when I was a new home school mom. I followed blogs that linked to articles about education news stories and provided some commentary. I really enjoyed many of them, but they went by the wayside as most were written by home school moms or teachers who were too busy to keep them up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 :grouphug: I understand it can be frustrating. Like you, I'm interested in supplementing our income from an "at-home" opportunity. Maybe just take some time off to revamp. You need to sustain a household. Take that time off and come back thinking outside the box. Are you able to talk to friends, family, attend workshops, etc. to help in your search? Sadly, not really. My SO doesn't really get it and just assumes that I'll figure something out. My mom thinks I need to just go get a job. And my friend that I can talk to is in her own similar situation. We commiserate but neither of us has any answers. Right now I'm wondering if, when I finish my degree, I could maybe cobble together enough things to make it work. Like if I can get even one online college course to teach and then fill in the rest with typing (if I have to) or freelance editing or tutoring or some combination thereof. I just don't know. And I can't help but wonder if I'm not just throwing away thousands of dollars on a useless degree. Would I be better off getting a BS in Accounting or Health Info Mgmt. instead? But then again, those wouldn't let me work from home when I finish (I don't think). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linders Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm so sorry. May I ask why you chose English for your MA? Perhaps going back to your original reason might suggest how and where you could best apply it for your situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Also, can you network with other students in your program, and see what they are doing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 I'm so sorry. May I ask why you chose English for your MA? Perhaps going back to your original reason might suggest how and where you could best apply it for your situation. I went back to school for my MA in English because I had just gotten divorced and needed to be able to earn a living. My BA is in English, so getting my MA in the same subject made sense (I thought). I figured I could teach online college courses from home so that I could still homeschool and be available to my kids day to day. I still definitely want the work from home and being with/homeschooling my kids parts. I'm just thinking now that the career/degree options might have been a bad choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 Have you looked at any technical writing opportunities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted July 1, 2014 Share Posted July 1, 2014 I went back to school for my MA in English because I had just gotten divorced and needed to be able to earn a living. My BA is in English, so getting my MA in the same subject made sense (I thought). I figured I could teach online college courses from home so that I could still homeschool and be available to my kids day to day. I still definitely want the work from home and being with/homeschooling my kids parts. I'm just thinking now that the career/degree options might have been a bad choice. It's not necessarily a long term bad choice........ but you may have to do things you don't want to in the short term. I know that where dh teaches, the online classes go to those who have already proven themselves in the regular classroom, even if only part time. After only 2 years, he is teaching one in person class and one online (however, the online is live, where he is on his computer at the same time as he students, and they do have one weekly "live" lecture", with the rest being independent work). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DragonFaerie Posted July 1, 2014 Author Share Posted July 1, 2014 Have you looked at any technical writing opportunities? I was under the impression that in order to be a technical writer, you have to be familiar with the technical aspects of whatever you're writing about. If that is not necessarily the case, how does one go about finding technical writing positions? Obviously I don't know much about that field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.