ADVICE needed! Secondary English Education major (skill, high school, credits, masters)

[jaylenlawrence531]

I am currently a junior in college going into Secondary Education. At my college you get accepted into the Education Program, and then pick a major and minor. So my major is English and my minor is Biology and I will be getting my teaching certification along with that. I live in Idaho, but I don't plan on living here all my life so I'm not sure if that matters.

Here is my problem.

I have a passion for English, and I am already almost done with my English credits so I am definitely majoring in English. My main goal in life is to become an English teacher. However, I've heard so much about English teachers being laid off and how there is a surpluss of English teachers that I realize it would be beneficial to be able to teach another subject as well, which is why I chose a Biology minor.

So far, I have completed 2 classes and labs for my Biological Sciences minor. I really like the subject of Biology, but the classes have been difficult for me. A few weeks ago, I found out that the next class I am required to take for the Biology minor (Cellular Biology) has a bunch of prerequisites that I was not aware of and have not met. In order to take Cellular Biology, I have to have passed Chemistry II, and to take Chemistry II I will have to have passed Chemistry I, and to take Chemistry I, I have to pass a math class. So basically, counting the lab classes that go along with chemistry, that adds 5 extra classes I have to take to before I even get back into the coursework for the minor.

I'm really confused and stressed about what to do. I really wanted to minor in Biology because I've heard science teachers are in high demand. But I really don't want to push my graduation date back so far just for my minor. Also, I'm worried the classes will make it hard for me to keep my GPA up because I've always always struggled in math and I've been having a hard time in Biology. Is it worth it to put in so much extra work when it is just my MINOR and not my MAJOR?? Are minors really important?

I've been considering switching my minor to Health Education, because it is kind of similar to Biology and it sounds a lot more interesting and a lot easier. BUT I don't think there is much demand at all for Health teachers, and if there IS an opening for a health teacher, I think they usually just hire P.E. teachers to teach it. If I do the Health Education minor, I only need to take 21 credits. If I continue with the Biology minor, I'll need to take 24 additional credits (on top of the ones I have already taken).

I don't want to sabotage myself/my future career, but I also don't want to waste my time on extremely hard classes if it doesn't amount to anything. Would you stick it out for the Biology minor or just do Health? Or something else entirely?

Does anyone have ANY advice?????

[jobaba]

Originally Posted by jaylenlawrence531

I am currently a junior in college going into Secondary Education. At my college you get accepted into the Education Program, and then pick a major and minor. So my major is English and my minor is Biology and I will be getting my teaching certification along with that. I live in Idaho, but I don't plan on living here all my life so I'm not sure if that matters.

Here is my problem.

I have a passion for English, and I am already almost done with my English credits so I am definitely majoring in English. My main goal in life is to become an English teacher. However, I've heard so much about English teachers being laid off and how there is a surpluss of English teachers that I realize it would be beneficial to be able to teach another subject as well, which is why I chose a Biology minor.

So far, I have completed 2 classes and labs for my Biological Sciences minor. I really like the subject of Biology, but the classes have been difficult for me. A few weeks ago, I found out that the next class I am required to take for the Biology minor (Cellular Biology) has a bunch of prerequisites that I was not aware of and have not met. In order to take Cellular Biology, I have to have passed Chemistry II, and to take Chemistry II I will have to have passed Chemistry I, and to take Chemistry I, I have to pass a math class. So basically, counting the lab classes that go along with chemistry, that adds 5 extra classes I have to take to before I even get back into the coursework for the minor.

I'm really confused and stressed about what to do. I really wanted to minor in Biology because I've heard science teachers are in high demand. But I really don't want to push my graduation date back so far just for my minor. Also, I'm worried the classes will make it hard for me to keep my GPA up because I've always always struggled in math and I've been having a hard time in Biology. Is it worth it to put in so much extra work when it is just my MINOR and not my MAJOR?? Are minors really important?

I've been considering switching my minor to Health Education, because it is kind of similar to Biology and it sounds a lot more interesting and a lot easier. BUT I don't think there is much demand at all for Health teachers, and if there IS an opening for a health teacher, I think they usually just hire P.E. teachers to teach it. If I do the Health Education minor, I only need to take 21 credits. If I continue with the Biology minor, I'll need to take 24 additional credits (on top of the ones I have already taken).

I don't want to sabotage myself/my future career, but I also don't want to waste my time on extremely hard classes if it doesn't amount to anything. Would you stick it out for the Biology minor or just do Health? Or something else entirely?

Does anyone have ANY advice?????

Whatever field you go into except for being an MD doctor, someone will tell you it's going to be impossible to find work. And I mean EVERY field.

Think about how many high schools there are in the US. Think about how many of those high schools need English teachers. I'd say roughly, oh ... all of them. That's a lot of jobs.

Sure, there's lots of competition, but your odds of landing a job are way better than for say, an urban planner or chemical engineer.

I think you're darn tooting lucky that your main goal in life is something so practical with an abundant number of available jobs.

As far as the science and Bio, if you really hate it and you're ONLY doing it because of the reasons listed, drop it.

[findly185]

I majored in English as an undergrad and am currently getting my masters in processional writing. There are a good deal of professions out there that English majors can land, besides being an English teacher.

Associate Editor
Copy Editor
Executive Editor
Publications Editor
Story Editor
Technical Writer
Proposal Writer
Grant Writer
Copy Writer
Web Writer

the list goes on...

[NDak15]

Originally Posted by jaylenlawrence531

I am currently a junior in college going into Secondary Education. At my college you get accepted into the Education Program, and then pick a major and minor. So my major is English and my minor is Biology and I will be getting my teaching certification along with that. I live in Idaho, but I don't plan on living here all my life so I'm not sure if that matters.

Here is my problem.

I have a passion for English, and I am already almost done with my English credits so I am definitely majoring in English. My main goal in life is to become an English teacher. However, I've heard so much about English teachers being laid off and how there is a surpluss of English teachers that I realize it would be beneficial to be able to teach another subject as well, which is why I chose a Biology minor.

So far, I have completed 2 classes and labs for my Biological Sciences minor. I really like the subject of Biology, but the classes have been difficult for me. A few weeks ago, I found out that the next class I am required to take for the Biology minor (Cellular Biology) has a bunch of prerequisites that I was not aware of and have not met. In order to take Cellular Biology, I have to have passed Chemistry II, and to take Chemistry II I will have to have passed Chemistry I, and to take Chemistry I, I have to pass a math class. So basically, counting the lab classes that go along with chemistry, that adds 5 extra classes I have to take to before I even get back into the coursework for the minor.

I'm really confused and stressed about what to do. I really wanted to minor in Biology because I've heard science teachers are in high demand. But I really don't want to push my graduation date back so far just for my minor. Also, I'm worried the classes will make it hard for me to keep my GPA up because I've always always struggled in math and I've been having a hard time in Biology. Is it worth it to put in so much extra work when it is just my MINOR and not my MAJOR?? Are minors really important?

I've been considering switching my minor to Health Education, because it is kind of similar to Biology and it sounds a lot more interesting and a lot easier. BUT I don't think there is much demand at all for Health teachers, and if there IS an opening for a health teacher, I think they usually just hire P.E. teachers to teach it. If I do the Health Education minor, I only need to take 21 credits. If I continue with the Biology minor, I'll need to take 24 additional credits (on top of the ones I have already taken).

I don't want to sabotage myself/my future career, but I also don't want to waste my time on extremely hard classes if it doesn't amount to anything. Would you stick it out for the Biology minor or just do Health? Or something else entirely?

Does anyone have ANY advice?????

Get the English/PE and Health combo. You should be able to find a job somewhere with at least one of those qualifications.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by jaylenlawrence531

I am currently a junior in college going into Secondary Education. At my college you get accepted into the Education Program, and then pick a major and minor. So my major is English and my minor is Biology and I will be getting my teaching certification along with that. I live in Idaho, but I don't plan on living here all my life so I'm not sure if that matters.

Here is my problem.

I have a passion for English, and I am already almost done with my English credits so I am definitely majoring in English. My main goal in life is to become an English teacher. However, I've heard so much about English teachers being laid off and how there is a surpluss of English teachers that I realize it would be beneficial to be able to teach another subject as well, which is why I chose a Biology minor.

So far, I have completed 2 classes and labs for my Biological Sciences minor. I really like the subject of Biology, but the classes have been difficult for me. A few weeks ago, I found out that the next class I am required to take for the Biology minor (Cellular Biology) has a bunch of prerequisites that I was not aware of and have not met. In order to take Cellular Biology, I have to have passed Chemistry II, and to take Chemistry II I will have to have passed Chemistry I, and to take Chemistry I, I have to pass a math class. So basically, counting the lab classes that go along with chemistry, that adds 5 extra classes I have to take to before I even get back into the coursework for the minor.

I'm really confused and stressed about what to do. I really wanted to minor in Biology because I've heard science teachers are in high demand. But I really don't want to push my graduation date back so far just for my minor. Also, I'm worried the classes will make it hard for me to keep my GPA up because I've always always struggled in math and I've been having a hard time in Biology. Is it worth it to put in so much extra work when it is just my MINOR and not my MAJOR?? Are minors really important?

I've been considering switching my minor to Health Education, because it is kind of similar to Biology and it sounds a lot more interesting and a lot easier. BUT I don't think there is much demand at all for Health teachers, and if there IS an opening for a health teacher, I think they usually just hire P.E. teachers to teach it. If I do the Health Education minor, I only need to take 21 credits. If I continue with the Biology minor, I'll need to take 24 additional credits (on top of the ones I have already taken).

I don't want to sabotage myself/my future career, but I also don't want to waste my time on extremely hard classes if it doesn't amount to anything. Would you stick it out for the Biology minor or just do Health? Or something else entirely?

Does anyone have ANY advice?????

With an English major, you always know how to write. This is an incredibly valuable skill, especially in an age where the generation of content is becoming more and more crucial to the success of any enterprise. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[jaylenlawrence531]

Thanks that actually makes me feel a little better. I never thought of it that way that every high school needs English teachers. This has been stressing me out for weeks, and it's not even my major just my minor...

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by jaylenlawrence531

Thanks that actually makes me feel a little better. I never thought of it that way that every high school needs English teachers. This has been stressing me out for weeks, and it's not even my major just my minor...

One thing I'd offer, however. Make it a writing emphasis.