“Set A Course For Earth” was perhaps one of the most honest posts I’ve written for ShindoTV. In fact, I still find it scary to read. I’ve never like talking about my insecurities, but they have plagued me and my professional and academic lives for years. Understanding this shortcoming and dealing with it is how I plan to move ahead in the next few months.
I kept sending resumes for publishing and writing jobs, but that seems to be a closed door for me. I’ve more or less had to fall back upon a “trade,” as I worked to get myself employed in the fall semester and hopefully even sooner (like this summer). I’ve been fairly diligent in trying to get back into teaching. While I did not have the luxury of getting courses this semester, I’ve had to be persistent. I contacted department chairs by e-mail and phone, got meeting and presentations of my curriculum vitae going, and have had to stay in touch with them for offers of classes.
Recently, I started teaching at a local language school for foreign students, and a friend of mine helped me get the job. I officially start tomorrow and it seems very exciting. I get a class of anywhere from five to eight students. I think this school will be a very good reference in the future.
I also got some news from a community college I worked for prior to my stint working for a labor union’s mailroom. I’ve been in touch with their hiring professor, and there is the offer of a developmental composition course in the fall. Also, she offered me a course during the summer. I’ve never taught summer school before, so it will be a new experience for me. I’ve been crazy enough to take summer courses in college a few times, so I have to brace myself.
If I’m extremely busy with a full time class-load in the months to come, I’ll be happy. Please slap me if I ever take another job where I must operate something named Pitney-Bowes, Hasler, or Neopost.
Tags: career, personal growth
The best boss and mentor I ever had was fond of the Calvin Coolidge quote, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.”
Insecurities and fear are not bad things. When we challenge them, we grow into better humans. Challenge them, my friend. Press on. You’ll be terrific.
It’s funny – I have this hard time imagining you with a lack of confidence because your Web presence is so straightforward (no pun intended). On the other hand, I know exactly what you mean because I would seem to have the same straightforward Web presence and yet I suffer from the exact same problem.
It sounds … from your writing, anyway … like you’re doing the right things. Take the summer school. Build your resume. The academy is notoriously difficult to break into — but keep pushing!
Murphy’s right — insecurities and fear aren’t bad things unless they take over and rule your life.
And I’ll be happy to bonk you over the head if Pitney-Bowes comes calling. Copy machines are for Teaching Assistants
Chris, I’d never guess that about you. Your web presence is very forward (and in turn I see you as very confident). For us, it says a lot about the power of the active voice and good writing.
I’ll need a bonk on the head if I’m responsible for the maintenance of copy machines (which was one of my responsibilities in addition to operating mail room equipment). Also, I hope to never talk to another vendor again.
Rather than bitch about the last job, I focused on other things on this blog and in my personal life. Getting back on track with academia was one of them, but also developing as a writer.
Thanks, guys. What you both said is very good advice on dealing with insecurity and fear. Knowing it’s there (instead of pretending it doesn’t exist) is a useful tool for growth.