Hi everyone,

Hope you are all doing fine. I had a question that I figured I might get some feedback from you all about. My university is just starting to offer a minor in arabic. Originally, I was an Radiologic Technology(xray) student when I was interrupted by the immigration process. So, then I changed my career path toward education early childhood. The thing that attracted me to that is that I would love to have a creative and artistic classroom and all of that teaching english to elementary kids. But lately I have been thinking of the negatives on that like dealing with the bad kids, dealing with the parents, and in Texas the way I hear it is all about the test s and hardly about the 'creative classroom' that i remember when I was young. Our teacher flat out said that they are going to teach us how it should be in a classroom but that when we got out there not to be shocked when its nothing like they said.
I plan to take the arabic classes and minor in it --if only to be able to speak to my husbands brother and cousins with. But the thing that I am best at is English and Cultural Stuff-geography, sociology. Since I lived in Egypt for a year, I have become really interested in that particular culture(mideast). Today In my geography class the prof put a picture of a mosque on the projector and I heard a lot of negative comments from the guys in the back row. I felt annoyed at that fact that no one even tries to understand that culture. I dont know why it made me mad, but maybe it is the American attitude that bothered me. I was not one of these people in love with Egypt, but at the same time, I appreciate that there are good and bad people everywhere, so people should not be so self-centered, I thought.
I researched on my univ's degree plans a lot in the past week and found BA degree in Political Science-which seemed interesting to me. There is also a degree in Criminal Justice-which is what my school is famous for(Education and C.Justice) and later a Grad degree in national security. I am interested in those so much but what job will it ever lead me to honestly?? My husband is an immigrant so I need to make a good choice at this point. RIght now I can't decide between [Education] or [c.Justice with minor in arabic] or [political science with minor in arabic]. I feel like it is a choice of interest vs. practicality. Do any of you know where any of these degrees might lead me? By either your experience or knowledge?

On another note, we are adjusting well to our new life. The best thing is that my husband got to meet and get very close to my grandpa before he died. We were able to stay with him while he was in the hospital and he liked my husband so much and he even gave him a nickname. My husband was a pallbearer at his funeral last week. Its funny how some people can get so close in a short time and others you never get close to after knowing them years. I am so thankful that we got our visa in tme that he met my grandpa.

If anyone can help me or give advice about a good career please help! thanks

Wow, sounds like you are considering several very different options! My first suggestion would be to go spend some quality time in a classroom with students...I think you would find that very interesting and informative. Visit different kinds of schools, talk to the teachers, etc. Honestly, you're going to learn more from those experiences than all your education classes in a university.

I am a high school social studies teacher, and yes, there are many difficult aspects to the job, but it is also incredibly rewarding. American attitudes can be frustrating because people can be so ignorant of the rest of the world, but as a teacher I can help change that. I work at a small charter school, and I have tons of freedom to choose what I teach about. Every year I teach something different: world geography, world religions, US history, the middle east conflict, american government, culture and gender, globalization, etc. I am constantly learning new things myself. Teaching in Texas may be more standardized than Minnesota, but I know there are opportunities to use your creativity.

There are lots of directions you could go in with criminal justice and political science, but the career path is not as clear as teaching. For example, you could work for the FBI or work in public policy. I have several friends who majored in political science, only one of whom is working in politics (one is a physical therapist, one is in marketing, and one is a lobbyist). You could also go to law school? I can't help but think that learning Arabic would be helpful for any job.

Best of luck to you. Sorry if my thoughts are somewhat scattered--it has been a long week of planning for school to start!

Cheers,
Carolyn

Oh well I'll just chime in about the Poli Sci degree - I have one. Hard to get a decent paying job, extrememly competitive unless you're planning to get an MA soon you'll be making ohh $25-30,000 a year starting off and will probably be stuck in a backroom or as the receptionist. I work in Washington DC, there's a lot of poli. sci degrees going to waste! A minor in Arabic might actually help you out. But you need to be really proficient. There are a lot of translating jobs with government agencies and private contractors some are state side but most of them are recruiting for overseas (read Iraq).

If you're looking into teaching explore the Montessori schools. They really allow teachers to be creative and they are great for kids (my son looooooved it). If you are considering this I would look into early childhood (3-5 yr olds) as I know there is a need for qualified people in this area. Also those with special education background.

I have a Poli Sci degree too and I work as a mortgage underwriter (although given the current state of affairs in my industry who knows how long I'll even have a job, but thats a different story altogether..)
I agree with the others, there arent a ton of jobs out there for us but I have never regretted my choice of studies; I am a total news and info junkie... and as Carolyn so eloquently pointed out, there are some really cool opportunities in teaching that can one day actually 'change the world' as far as shaping opinions and opening minds.
I also agree that in this day and age Arabic would be a great skill.

I was a pre-school teacher for many years before I went back and got a BA. If your considering teaching and want freedom you might get your degree in early child education consider opening your own daycare/preschool. The money can be good and you can teach the kids in your own style.

I don't know a whole lot about what degrees will take you where but If I can do anything at all...I'll offer this piece of advice. Go for something you really WANT to do because working somewhere you love ...makes all the difference. If you really like working with kids and making an impact on their lives then you should be a teacher. In the words of Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act..."if when you wake up in the morning and the ONLY thing you can think about is singing, then you should be a singer" and I think the same applies to you. If your heart is really into children, work with kids. If your heart is into working with X-Rays and Radiology...don't give that up. Do what will make you the most happy.
That is the best advice I can give. Good luck.

amal