Being a teacher is easy, right? You get summers off, great benefits, snow days, a pension, you even get out early...so what's not to like, right?!?! 

If these are the only reasons that you think being a teahcer would be the perfect career, then you are in the right place. It is a career just like any other and it comes with its own sets of challenges including the following:

You need to be on top of your game at all times. Don't you remember when you were still in grade school? You always knew when your teachers were a bit off their game and we all know the kids who would exploit it. On top of that, not all children are as excited thas you might be about the subject you are teaching. Trying to inspire them to want to learn is a challenge. 

Want to plan a mid year vacation? You better rethink that one. Most public school teachers don't have the luxury of being able to take prolonged vacation time during the year. Week Long Skiing trips in mid January, probably not. 

Ian Teaches 5 classes with only 80 minutes in between to prep, grade, stretch and try to eat lunch. On top of that, he takes on extra curricular activites which makes for longer days.

Maybe that doesn't sound as great as I thought it would be. So why does he do it? HE LOVES IT!!  Talk about "Passion For Work" (great time to plug the show name). Ian finds satisfaction in helping his students learn, which is not always easy. Especially when after getting to know a class of children for 9-10 months and watching them grow, you then have to start all over. But for him it is worth it. This is Ian's outlet to express his creativity, which makes it a great fit on top of loving a lot of the subject matter. 

Must have qualities include:

•   Creativity

•   Patience

•   Love of most of the material as well as the students that you teach

•   Finding value and fullfilment from helping others grow

What do to if you want to explore becoming a teacher:

•   Substitute teach to get some experience

◦                      You only need 60 college credits to substitue teach

•   Ask a friend who is a teacher

•   Explore Alternate Route program in your state for those who may have a degree and already be in a field other than teaching

•   If Compensation is important to you, public school teachers salaries (at least in NJ) are public knowledge and you will be able to gain access to that information.

Ian closed with a great quote:

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the igniting of a fire." ~ William Buttler Yeats

Just when you think you know someone, then you hear their story. One thing is for sure, everyone has one, and Becca's is particularly inspring. Becca worked a job because "that's what you do". She went to school and got a job that would help her advance her career, which she didn't even like. Coming in late, barely being able to be engaged at work, some would probably consider her lazy....but ask her employer now, she is always early and excited to go to work. 

What is she doing now? Becca is an incredible hair stylist! That's right!! She got a degree in Human Resources Management and then decided she was going to start all over! Talk about looking fear in the face, Becca overcame the worry of what her family and friends would say. As it turns out.... they all suported her and some even knew that this was what she was meant for. 

Becca's story should be a lesson to us all to pursue your passion, and its NEVER too late!

What is it like to work for a small start up? I asked myself that for a long time an I have always admired the startup culture.

Dan works for Synduit, the owner of which we interviewed in episode 2. Dan not only is the lead marketing strategist but he was the number 2 hire for the company so he has been there from the begining to watch it grow. 

You wanted to hear about an unconventional career, WELL I'VE GOT ONE FOR YOU. Grant Baldwin is a Youth Speaker and Coach who has reached thousands and is going to reach many more. He shares some of the coolest parts of being a speaker.. I don't know, like a STANDING OVATTION, as well as the not so glamorous side of sleeping in a hotel and driving all night to get to your next event. You won't want to miss this one.