Career Change

I'm tired of the instability in software engineering.  I'm tired of worrying about my job on a regular basis.  I'm tired of layoffs and budget cuts and mergers and acquisitions.

I love what I do.  I enjoy software engineering.  I like taking a problem, breaking it down into its constituent parts, and then making the computer do what I want it to do.  I (generally) work with intelligent people.  I really enjoy the type of people I work with.

But I'm weary of the instability and I'm ready to make a career change.

I'm not going to make a change today.  It's going to take a lot longer than that.  But I've already started putting my career change plans in motion.

I bought a Calculus book a couple of weeks ago and I'm reviewing Calculus I and II.  I'm enrolled in Calculus III at Utah Valley State College this fall.  I have somewhere around 5 classes and a GRE exam to take to prepare for a masters degree in math.

And what am I going to do with this masters degree?  I'm going to teach!  I'm going for a tenure track position at UVSC.  Then, once I have tenure, I'll have the stability that has thus far eluded me in my career.

I also contacted the developmental math department at UVSC.  They're hiring adjunct faculty for this fall and want to know more about my qualifications.  I can't think of anything better to prepare me to "retire" to teaching math than teaching math!  I'm extremely interested in developmental math because I believe I have a knack for being able to explain things well.  If one approach at an explanation doesn't work, I can try different approaches until something works.

I'll probably end up taking quite a big cut in pay, but by the time I get my masters degree, we'll be closer to having our house paid off.  I'll also continue doing what I love (programming) as a consultant.  That way, I'll be able to do it on MY terms, which will also give me more of the stability that I crave.

Wish me luck.  I'm jumping in!