Why do I do this to myself?

[wordinista]

First of all: Grampa's fine. He got through surgery w/no problems, and is home. He's on 5 days of bed rest (and quite grouchy about it), but he's fine. Thank you to everyone who offered thoughts and prayers. *hugs*

Now...

Every now and then, I really, really relate to Mac Hall.

I'm so fed up with my job. Fed. Up. I think I've ground my teeth down to nubs; that's how annoyed and fed up I am.

Don't misunderstand me; I love teaching. I love it. It's challenging, it's FUN, it's a high just knowing that I got someone to LIKE Shakespeare. (And I've had students tell me this, particularly after we do "Othello.")

But, oh my god, I'm starting to hate my "job." Hate it.

Last year, I was applying to various PhD programs; therefore, I didn't know if I was going to be teaching this fall. I didn't get in to said PhD programs (yes, still stings deeply), so I couldn't really complain too much when I found out that I was only going to be teaching 3 classes this semester (I get paid per credit hour). Because, apparently, classes are first come, first served -- the first people to call dibs on a class, get it. So, I learned to see the silver lining -- more free time, for starters. And, yes, I've used that free time. It gives me time to write, time to be Mama Bear to Green Tea, time to DO stuff. So I can't really complain about that.

Except the money? Really. Bites.

And I'm surrounded by idiots. (Not the students, oh no -- THE ADMINISTRATORS.)

It started in August when I found out that out of six applicants, applying for three full-time positions at this backwater community college, I DID NOT GET HIRED. (Bitter about that? Still? Oh, yes.) I've got two years of adjunct teaching under my belt, I have an MA in English Lit from GWU, I get STELLAR student evaluations, EXCELLENT peer evaluations...

But... no full-time job. No benefits. No salary. (Am instead paid contractually.)

So, I find out that not only did I get passed over for a full-time position, but I'm still stuck with three classes rather than four (adjuncts can't teach more than 12 credit hours). So, I cope, I learn to deal, I try and move on. Then one day, I receive an email from the department chair notifying us that they're making the schedules for Spring/Summer, and all interested adjuncts needed to make known their intentions. I replied right away -- one section of Comp I, two sections of Comp II, and a section of Brit Lit I (for the folks who took Brit Lit II last spring). Seriously -- I replied not 15 minutes after the email's timestamp. Several weeks later, I was notified that I would be teaching a section of Comp I and a section of Comp II. (One class from 8:00-9:15 MW, the other 9:00-11:45 on Friday.) But if I wanted more classes, I could teach online.

I wrote the dept chair and essentially asked him, "WTF?" (Only, you know, without the expletives.)

His reply? More full time faculty would be teaching in the Spring.

*twitch*

*vein pop*

I'm done. I'm so completely, totally, truly, really, most sincerely DONE. I am through with letting this place suck out my soul. I would rather be a corporate slave with HEALTH INSURANCE than this.

So, I updated my Monster profile, searched around there a bit, sent off my resume to a few places, then hit Hotjobs. Heaven help me, I'm determined to have a job by January. I can't stand this anymore.

Am half-tempted to post resume on LJ.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_midoriko_sama_/]

*pats back*

I'm so sorry Niamh. I wish you could have it as we do... although things are changing here too unfortunately. Health is free in the national hospitals, as long as you're maltese citizen. Even University is (again if you're a maltese cit) although I'm not sure if that's a good idea.... there's only one university, and they do what the hell they want. -.-''

But if you came here, you'd probably find a job quiet easily with your qualifs. *hint hint, nudge nudge* ^^ ... well, I tried!

the job thing

[leidy.livejournal.com]

Oh man honey, I feel your pain really. Earlier this year I got completely sick of my job, so I finally said fuck it and started looking. After three years of my bosses telling everyone at the company that there was no way they would find other jobs, five of us left having been hired for far better jobs.

So hang in there honey. Things will turn around for you, you just need to get your resume out there and look. Just think that you can't be Karma's bitch forever. She has to share on occassion ;)

Bleh! (and Hi! I've finally started using my account)

[thatnanda.livejournal.com]

And they wonder why there's a shortage of teachers in this country. I have a lot of Nurse friends, and they get treated this way, too. There's also a shortage of Nurses in this country. Notice a trend? As noble as the professions are, and as much as you've got to love what you're doing to even go into them in the first place, they are such thankless jobs. Meh. But at least you'll be well prepared for motherhood. ^_~ It doesn't get much more thankless than that.

[tatertott.livejournal.com]

I still can't believe that you're getting treated like that -- honestly, you would think that an employer would treat their employees with some high standards if they want to keep them around. Like Nanda said, teaching and medical professions are such thankless jobs -- if someone isn't threatening to sue for malpractice, they're thinking the teacher is supposed to teach their children everything about life. But, I digress, you need to find a university that cares about everyone (if you still intend on teaching) from student to teacher.