Should I go back to school to teach or do interior design?

Question

I graduated from college in May 2005 and received a BA in Art History. For the past year I have been working in sales/marketing. I may be looking into going back to school. I've considered becoming three things: 1) A health teacher (I like to answer the teenagers questions online about issues with boyfriends/sex/drugs etc.) 2) An Art teacher (one of the reasons that I was an Art History major) or 3) an Interior designer (another reason that I was an A.Hist. major)
The thing is, i'm always sketching floorplans and looking through magazines and re-arranging my bedroom etc...

How do I become a teacher or an interior designer if I already have a degree?

*I would eventually like to have children and want to either work for myself or have a flexible schedule.

Answer 1

Why not teach and do some interior design on the side? When you have your kids, you can always ask to become part-time for teaching. Take on Interior design jobs as you have the time for it, it'd be a great supplemental income.

As for how to become a teacher, you would need to check with a local college or university to see what the rules are for your particular state. In some states, you can teach in a particular area if you have your bachelor's in that area. In others, you need to take some education classes and pass a test first. Here in California, teacher credentialing is a 1 year program and a test. I took my classes at night while I worked as a substitute during the day. This took one semester and one summer, then my student teaching was the 2nd semester.

I have no experience with getting into the interior design field, so I can't answer that one.

Answer 2

Teaching is the most gratifying, rewarding, demanding, and hearbreaking careers out there. I have been teaching for 14 years, and have been a principal for three. If you want to teach Art, you would need to go back and get a credential, which is about a year's worth of school. To teach Health, you would need to demonstrate subject matter competency, because your BA is not in that subject. It might mean going back and getting another BA, or just taking a few classes and tests. It depends on your university.

The thing is, many people get into teaching because it looks fun, or they have a charitable streak. You really, really have to be wired for this profession, and ready for the emotional, financial, and time investment. And a heads up...teachers work a LOT more than just 8-4; we work Saturdays, holidays, and unless we are independently wealthy, we don't get summers off, either.

If you are "wired" for teaching, you will start to get a feel for the school calendar after your first year or two. Since you will be able to anticipate what's coming, you will most likely be able to manage your time to add an interior design project or two each year. And of course, a family!! However, I would not recommend getting into any other commitment during your first year of teaching.

I like to say that teaching is not a job, not a profession, and not a career. It's a lifestyle choice. =) It's part of who I am, 24/7 and 365. I love it, and would never have it any other way.

Answer 3

That would all depend on what you makes you the happiest. But coming from a teacher, I don't believe there to be a HUGE demand for art teachers, so my personal recommendation would be to NOT pursue the teaching profession. If you do decide to pursue that route, there are schools that will enable you to receive your certification; you just need to do some research to find out what schools will enable you to do that.

As far as a health teacher goes; I believe it's the same scenerio; not a huge demand for health teachers. That doesn't mean you can't become one; it's something you probably don't want to waste your time accomplishing and not getting a job.

So my guess would be interior design. You could probably look into internshipsor possibly going to get your masters in Interior Design or something like that.

Whatever you decide to pursue, I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 4

You can always try to get a job at a local art institute teaching classes on a per class basis.
If you don't know for sure that you want to teach, don't.
A teacher's schedule may appear to be attractive, but there is a lot of work that is involved in the summer and before and after school. There is no such thing as a three month summer vacation.

Answer 5

First the undesirable information. There at the instantaneous are not too many interior layout instructors. next, the best information. you may do it. you would possibly want to take, if no longer already doing so, interior layout courses in a school. you'll favor practise education for the highschool practise section. very usually you'll manage to pursue the both styles of lasses on a similar college. contact your state practise branch and locate out the practise criteria. they could help you study the certain education this is needed boot because the total variety of faculty credit and the different criteria. good success.

Answer 6

As no specific degree is required for interior decorating (just skill, know-how, and reputation), and teaching credentials are required for teaching... My recommendation would be this : teach now while you're young and don't have kids. You'll make an immense difference in the lives of a few years of students, especially as you sound like someone who would actually enjoy teaching. While you're doing that, design on the side. Neither has to take up all of your time, and if you're as passionate about interior decoration as you sound, it'll actually be fun to do it on weekends and when you have spare time. This way you'll build up your reputation for that time when you DO have kids, and want the flexibility to work when you want to, and sit back and let other people take care of stuff when you want to spend more time with your children instead. The one big advantage to teaching is that you have summer vacations... but that would also provide you with time to work on your interior design skills... So yeah. Teach first. Design later !

Answer 7

Take a small business class at your local JC Be a substitute teacher in your local school.

You CAN multitask- teach for $ and benefits while you learn small business survival techniques. Once you know how to proceed start your business and pursue it fulltime when you can support yourself.

Stick to what you LOVE. The you'll never WORK a day in your life...

Answer 8

follow your heart

Answer 9

What the hay do both...