Alan H, the wrestling coach?

[Mike1]

Alan, let me answer your question by asking another -

Why is it that people will always stand at the door that has already been closed and will not take advantage of the doors that are opening?

If I see an opportunity presenting itself, I'm not leaving it on the table for the next fellow to pick up.

[mkmound]

Another element of the potential part-time coaching position is that, at least in this area, it is common for coaches to teach other classes as part of their teaching load . . . sounds like you could do a terrific job in a number of subjects.

[Red Lioness]

Ah, the eternal choice: doing what you want and starving to death, or doing something else and staying above the poverty line.

For the past three years, I've attempted to get into jobs that showcase my artistic talents: tattoo artist, graphic designer, comic book artist, knitting instructor, etc. All it got me was a serious brush with bankruptcy and no steady work to speak of.

Personally, I've found that when it comes to artistic expression, the general population doesn't think it's worth paying for. Once they find out you do _______, the first thing they say is: Oh, you should do ________ for me! If you dare to ask how much they'll pay for it, most of the time you get an offended look and told to forget it.

If you found out somebody was a mechanic, would you expect free oilchanges for nothing?

[Sciuropterus]

Ah, the eternal choice: doing what you want and starving to death, or doing something else and staying above the poverty line.

For the past three years, I've attempted to get into jobs that showcase my artistic talents: tattoo artist, graphic designer, comic book artist, knitting instructor, etc. All it got me was a serious brush with bankruptcy and no steady work to speak of.

Personally, I've found that when it comes to artistic expression, the general population doesn't think it's worth paying for. Once they find out you do _______, the first thing they say is: Oh, you should do ________ for me! If you dare to ask how much they'll pay for it, most of the time you get an offended look and told to forget it.

If you found out somebody was a mechanic, would you expect free oilchanges for nothing?

Don't get me started on that! I worked full-time as an artist for over ten years, doing everything from airbrushing, decorative painting/faux finishes, hand-lettered signs, computer graphics, you name it. I taught airbrushing and sign painting evening classes at St. Paul Technical college for 3 years and used to regularly write magazine articles for the trade.

I was always amazed when people offered to "let" me paint something for them, they always were taken aback when I said my hourly rate, and that I would need a signed contract and deposit before any work was to start.

I generally refused to deal with the public, I always did better subcontracting to, or working for other sign/scenery companies that could make use of my skills.

NEVER sell your skills for less than top dollar. It is better to work a side job sweeping floors than give your art skills away- Once you sell something cheap, it is impossible to raise your prices later.

I have seen artists with ten times the talent I have starve because they gave their work away and did not present themselves as professionals. I attribute most of the success I enjoyed in the art field to my business/negotiation/presentation/public speaking/teaching skills, not my actual art skills.

Just remember: You can go to bed tired, or you can go to bed hungry, but why on earth should you go to bed tired AND hungry?

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Why is it that people will always stand at the door that has already been closed and will not take advantage of the doors that are opening?

The open door may not be the one you want, but sometimes they lead to a door that you do.


.

[Mike1]

The open door may not be the one you want, but sometimes they lead to a door that you do.

EXACTLY! If you're brave enough to step through the first door, that is.

If you found out somebody was a mechanic, would you expect free oilchanges for nothing?

You might be surprised at how often it happens. And if they don't want you to do the work for free, they are expecting you to loan them the tools so they can do it.

[Panache]

Alan,

It sounds to me from what you have posted and talking with you that you get a kick out of teaching. It certainly sounds like you are good at it. If you and your wife can afford it, what do you have to lose by pursuing it for a year and a day and see where it leads?

Cheers

[Alan H]

The problem is the money. It's a complicated situation, which would take many paragraphs to explain, here. I do not have a single subject teaching credential, so I cannot teach at a California High School. I can SUBSTITUTE for up to 30-days in any single-subject classroom, but I cannot hold a full-time credentialed teaching job, except in an emergency basis. I have a COMMUNITY COLLEGE teaching credential, which is something that the State doesn't give out any more, and that plus my degrees plus my CBEST scores (I passed the test) OK me as a sub....but not as a full-time teacher.

So I'd have to work as the Wrestling coach and the Throwing coach, and go back to school to get the graduate units in Education that would qualify me to get a single-subject High School credential.

Meanwhile in 2008, the 30th Anniversary Singlehanded TransPacific Race looms over the horizon, and I *VERY* much want to do that race...I've sailed solo from San Francisco to Hawaii (did it in 1996) but never completed the race itself. It's one of my life's goals, in fact it's a HUGE goal. If I take this wrestling job, it will knock me out of the IT job world because the coaching part starts at 3:00 PM...can't hold down a full-time job and leave at 3:00, can you?

If I took the wrestling job, I would be kissing the 2008 TransPac race goodbye. I know you all may not see it like that, but trust me, in my income/life/marriage situation, I'd be kissing it goodbye. I'm very much NOT sure that I am ready to do that. There are half a dozen other complications that make the whole thing difficult as well.

Am I a teacher at heart? Yes. I know it's true, and there you go. But I tried for ten years straight to get a full-time community college teaching job in Biology in the SF Bay Area, and couldn't do it. I must have been in the final 3 about 6-8 times, but never landed a job. I finally woke up and smelled the roses about ten years ago....thus the IT career.

BTW, I happened to go back to the college (CSM, for you locals) that I spent the bulk of my community college teaching career at, and talked to one of the guys that started a full-time job in Chemistry right about the same time I started there, part-timing in Biology. He's making $95,000 a year with a PhD and almost 20 years of experience.. Not bad, eh? So much for the poor, starving college teachers....but I digress.

Anyway, this is a big decision. I'm very much not sure I'm ready, yet, and considering some of my commitments to my lady, I might not ever be ready.

Then, again.... Just don't know. I know I'll be turning down this coaching job, but whether I'll be making a move out of IT is another, totally different question.

[Panache]

Alan,

The income/life/marriage situation is a critical thing. The committment you and Joan have with each other (not to mention your dreams) take priority. This may not be the ideal situation, but perhaps your mind is now open to other possibilities.

Good Luck!

Cheers