In shock and don’t know what is next

[brett]

Have you considered trying to pick up consulting contracts with some small businesses that may not have an HR specialist but do need some support in that discipline? Or perhaps some custom HR training for those smaller firms?

 

[Teacher Terry]

Brett, no because my work experience and degrees are all in human services areas. I am going to read the book again by Zelinski- How to retire happy, wild and free.

 

[ohyes]

Hi Teacher Terry,

Before retiring I facilitated a few online teacher professional development courses for PBS. Mine were always in reading.
The pay was $1000 per course. It seemed like good pay for the effort. Perhaps, check with PBS....

That Zelinski book is great, isn't it?

 

[Teacher Terry]

Thanks for the tip oh yes! Yes the book is good.

 

[Scuba]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. We don’t have to have the money but we used it for travel versus savings. We won’t be taking as many trips. I liked the students and helping them learn but I also liked not having to be anywhere at a certain time. I also enjoyed grading. I know people that teach in person or online for 2500/semester and that’s not worth it to me. I was making 8. I closed my part time consulting services a year ago because teaching was enough and referred my clients elsewhere. I am also doing some workers compensation case management but that’s ending due to lack of referrals for my friends business. I have helped her out 3xs in 6 years. This business can be feast or famine. I broke my right wrist 7 weeks ago and it’s still not healed so won’t do anything until that’s better.

I’m very sorry this will impact you travel. If you really enjoy online teaching, maybe $2,500 isn’t horrible. If you did it for 2 or 3 semesters per year, that could buy a trip somewhere. I realize it’s a lot different than $8K, but might be worth doing to have the money for more fun things?

 

[Teacher Terry]

I know people that teach online for various colleges and they are told exactly how many times a week they need to contact each student and are basically micromanaged. I had total freedom and they trusted and respected me. I am not willing to do that.

 

[aja8888]

I know people that teach online for various colleges and they are told exactly how many times a week they need to contact each student and are basically micromanaged. I had total freedom and they trusted and respected me. I am not willing to do that.

One of our neighbors does similar online teaching you did. I know she is not making anywhere near $8K per semester as her DH told me her annual gross barely covers the taxes on the house annually ($5K).

Maybe at 65 you are at the point where it's time to kick back and call it a day? I know it's hard to do that, especially for a high achiever, but think about it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Aja, I won’t be doing anything until my wrist heals and summer is a good time of year not to work. I will just see what happens.

 

[brett]

I thought that I would either do some consulting or apply for one of the positions that people had recommended me for.

It all changed after six months. No desire whatsoever to get back to it. I had enough of the particular industry. To many 12 hour days, too much travel, too much focus on short term goals, never want to see another P&L or deal with another fire dril etc. Pitched it in. Best thing I ever did. Try it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Brett, I tried it 7 years ago but I will try it again). Plus I was only working part time from home which is different.

 

[Teacher Terry]

So received a email from the university asking me to apply for one of their 3 full time instructor positions. What is expected is incredible and I guess it’s cheaper than a bunch of part time people. It’s only a contract for one year and I am not applying. I had a 3 week period with a bunch of consulting work so I took it all but due to my profession being a small niche it could be 6-12 months until they need me again.

 

[Dtail]

Better than nothing I guess. I don't have the urge to work ever again, but do understand those that do. My DM is still at it at 86 y.o.

 

[ER Eddie]

I remember many posts where you have said how much you enjoyed your job and that it was perfect for you at this stage in life.

Same here. I remember how, when I'd talk about the positive aspects of work, you'd always chime in and talk about your teaching job and how much you enjoyed it. Even your user name shows how closely connected you were to that work. I'm sorry it's over. Sounds like a nice gig. All good things must come to an end, I suppose...

When one door closes, another opens, but you probably need time to just feel sad and a little lost first. I promise something else good is in store for you, down the road. Might not be teaching, might be something else, might be some retirement lifestyle, who knows. Just keep your heart and mind open, and you'll find it eventually. I wish you the best.

 

[target2019]

Rather than teach, I would look into training support roles. I've done CC teaching and industrial training support, and prefer the captured adult audience of the latter..

If an individual has worked in one field for a very long time, it is easy to overlook an opportunity to grow his/her career in a related industry.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Actually teaching was a new career after retirement. I did it for 6 years. First I was a social worker and then went back to graduate school to do vocational testing and career counseling for people with disabilities. I just finished grading finals this week. D, I can’t believe your mom is still working at 86. She must love it.

 

[Teacher Terry]

So things are looking up in the work department. Got a call this morning asking me if I would take more injured worker compensation cases and do case management. I said yes because I find it easy and like it. Turns out they want me because I am nice to the clients and many workers are not. Don’t know why you would even be in this field if you don’t want to help people. It will be part time and when they get busy I can decide how many cases I want. Also another company is using me for testing. I gave up doing this kind of work 2 years ago because my class was enough but now I am happy to do it again.

 

[Another Reader]

Busy + Money = Happy

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

So received a email from the university asking me to apply for one of their 3 full time instructor positions. What is expected is incredible and I guess it’s cheaper than a bunch of part time people. It’s only a contract for one year and I am not applying. I had a 3 week period with a bunch of consulting work so I took it all but due to my profession being a small niche it could be 6-12 months until they need me again.

What was "incredible" about what they expected?

 

[Teacher Terry]

All the other duties in addition to teaching for what they are willing to pay.

 

[copyright1997reloaded]

All the other duties in addition to teaching for what they are willing to pay.

Which are what? I teach full time. A department meeting once a month (maybe, we usually skip them). Response to Dept chair on course changes or pre/co-req changes a couple times a year. Occasional recommendation letter for a student (which I also did as an Adjunct). A couple annual safety/wellness/whatever education sessions (usually on-line). Attendance at the commencement. Being on a hiring committee if they ever decide to hire someone else full time.

That's about it. Compared to my 60+ hour weeks and travel every other week mega corp job....

 

[MarieIG]

So things are looking up in the work department. Got a call this morning asking me if I would take more injured worker compensation cases and do case management. I said yes because I find it easy and like it. Turns out they want me because I am nice to the clients and many workers are not. Don’t know why you would even be in this field if you don’t want to help people. It will be part time and when they get busy I can decide how many cases I want. Also another company is using me for testing. I gave up doing this kind of work 2 years ago because my class was enough but now I am happy to do it again.

Very good news Terry!

 

[Teacher Terry]

Copy, teaching 4 courses a semester, developing new courses for the university, advisor to students, donating 20% of your time to volunteer work for the university, other things but I deleted the job announcements. Marie, thanks.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Today the university contacted me because my class has not been rewritten for the fall and if students don’t take the old version some won’t be able to graduate. They haven’t hired enough full time people to replace all the part time people so asked me to teach it one more time. I am happy to do so both because I loved doing it and of course the money was great.

 

[footenote]

Good on ya - great update!

 

[Octogirl]

TT - happy for you !

Teach it one more time.

Are they asking you to rewrite it too?