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Hey,

Former Falcon athlete looking for some career help/guidance. What better place to network than right here? I have a degree in Integrated Language Arts (english education), but I have been having a hard time finding work. Anyone out there have any advice/opportunities that I might be able to pursue? I've networked on a few career websites, applied all over the place. I'm not necessarily looking for work in education, just something that is challenging and engrossing. Any response would be amazing, just let me know and I'll send you a message with my e-mail address.

Go Falcons!

I can offer a little advice as my wife teaches middle school language arts. First is, there are lots of people with language arts degrees, but not enough jobs right now. That area of education seems to be pretty hard to get into. Secondly, are you willing to work with people from different countries? Are you fluent, semi fluent in any other languages. English as a Second Language programs are really taking off. My wife really got her start in teaching, by teaching these classes. The goal of these programs are to take newly immigrated students, teach them English and bring them up to speed with other students their age. It can be quite rewarding.

If you are having a hard time getting a job right now, finding a program where you could get an ESL endorsement might be a good career move. There are a growing number of companies and colleges that hire people to help employees learn english.

3bagger wrote:I have a degree in Integrated Language Arts (english education), but I have been having a hard time finding work. Anyone out there have any advice/opportunities that I might be able to pursue?

Three things:

1. Get yourself over to Career Services and get with them about having your credentials ready for when employers contact the university seeking prospective teachers. It works.

2. Are you willing to move? If so, the beach states (Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida) are hiring all specialties.

3. Make sure you are on all of the sub lists for the school districts within a 60 minute drive of you.

Should have chosen a tougher major (something like Integrated Social Studies - only wimps choose Integrated Language Arts )

Good luck! and let us know what happens,

Be willing to relocate. I did and I enjoy where I am. Baltimore is BEGGING for teachers and they pay TOP dollar. For that money, you get some challenges, but I like it.

Thanks for the advice...I'll keep you updated!

You might also want to try getting into a school system as a substitute teacher or "permanent "sub" to get known, and wait for an opening. I know several teachers that have done this, and it has worked for them, and in the location or system of their choice.

My wife teaches with Chicago Public Schools. The first year was rough, but has moved on to a good CPS elementary class after figuring out which schools test better, etc...

They are always looking.

I don't know where you are from originally, but Chicago is still close enough to drive back to Ohio if needed. But if you move here, prepare not to leave. I moved here in 97. Never a dull moment.

Plus first year instructors at Chicago Public pays 40K.

Dien dobre. Jak si masz.

My daughter spent 18 months in Poland teaching english. She received her TESOL in Krakow. The school also had an agreement with Framingham State College where their professors go to Poland a few times per year and teach masters of education courses. My daughter received her degree in August, 2005. The free courses were part of the compensation package.

She still communicates occasionally with the director of the school in Poland.