Teaching is a worthy profession, not a fallback job
Dear J.T. & Dale: My husband and I both have gotten laid off from our jobs two times in the past three years. We’ve decided that we’re going to become teachers because it has job security. What do you think? — Brita
DALE: I come from a family of teachers — dad, sister and two uncles — and because of them, I revere the profession. I hate to think of it as a fallback career. Here’s why that matters to you: If you don’t have a passion for the work, you’re not going to excel. Maybe you feel that being mediocre is OK at this point, but I hope not. I also hope you won’t bring that mindset to teaching. My father had a marvelous saying, “Where there’s no learning, there’s no teaching.” That was a proud professor taking on responsibility for getting his students to learn. And I believe that getting laid off taught you the wrong lesson: The goal isn’t to hide from change, but to excel at it.
J.T.: Moreover, I don’t believe there is such a thing as job security anymore. Every job is temporary. And while a role like being a teacher might seem secure, there are changes in education that could upend that stereotype. If you feel that you and your husband would make great teachers and would enjoy it long term, then go for it. But don’t just do it because you’ve lost your jobs due to market changes. As I said, every job is temporary — this is the new normal. Now is the time to learn how to deal with job insecurity: Build up your savings, live below your means, and keep up your skill sets so that you stay relevant in the marketplace. You can also try starting your own business on the side. When people have a side hustle, they tend to enjoy their work more and are able to save more as well. And they can use the side hustle to bridge the gap between jobs. Gone are the days where we work at some company our entire lives to get a steady paycheck and a gold watch. Now is the time to learn the new rules to employment. Don’t think about job security; think about how you can stay employed over and over again. That’s the real key to success.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I have a co-worker who is obsessed with politics and talks all the time about how she can’t stand the president. While she knows not to talk about it in front of our conservative management, for some strange reason she thinks it’s OK to talk about it with me. I’m not a political person, and my concern is that people will think I agree with her. What can I do to make her stop? — Wagner
DALE: You say that your co-worker expresses her opinions to you “for some strange reason.” No, not strange. Remember the old saying, “Silence gives consent.” (How old is that saying? It comes from Plato.) Your co-worker made a few comments and when you didn’t object, she kept going.
J.T.: I would pull your friend aside and have a very honest conversation with her. Tell her that it’s very clear that we are not supposed to talk politics
in the office and that she is making you extremely uncomfortable. Tell her you apologize for not making it clearer sooner. Tell her you care deeply for her as a co-worker and don’t want to see her get in trouble. Tell her that if you notice her talking about it again, you will mention something to get her to stop, and walk away if you have to. Honestly, politics and religion are things that should be offlimits in the office.
DALE: No point in making an enemy. Simply make it about you, not her, saying something like, “I’ve decided I just can’t talk about politics; it’s too distracting, and I need to focus.” Then you mention some relevant work issue and change the subject. Guide the conversation, don’t kill the relationship.