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A Job Offer Gave Me Clarity on What I (Didn’t) Want
The process is important for learning to take place
“Don’t you want to be the Dean someday,” asked my husband 8–9 years back during one of our conversations about our respective career trajectories.
“Nope.” My answer was swift and firm. Why? Because I always knew I didn’t want to manage other people. I was happy laying low and doing my own work — good, meaningful work. And the life of a tenured professor is exactly that.
I knew I was a hardcore academic with a passion for teaching and research in education. I valued the freedoms and flexibility of a nine-month university teaching position. My ambitions are about doing the best I can and making a difference in my field.
Money has never been the primary motivator because one doesn’t become a teacher with the aim of becoming a millionaire. I just needed a rich husband who supported a lifestyle that allowed me to enjoy my summers and travel in style.
All good things come to an end and so did my marriage. Poof….the rich husband went out the door!
Ready for a pivot?
Now that my youngest will be off to college and I will soon be an empty nester, I wanted to explore what was out there in terms of doing something…
