I'm thinking ahead for being a journalist or teacher?

Question

I'm in middle school currently, and I thought it might be good to start planning ahead now. Two things I really want to aspire to be are either a journalist or a teacher (kindergarten or a younger grade) because I'm very into writing and literature. I'm relatively good with kids, so that's why I'd like to be a teacher. Can anyone think of ways I could possibly start early? What are things that I could do now that would help me achieve either of my career ideas?

Thank you in advance. :)

Answer 1

Middle school is very young! let me tell you to NOT worry about it right now, enjoy your life you still have ton of things to learn and develop interests in! but if this is what you want to do, try taking some classes in highschool that involve writing

Answer 2

Of course first you should get good grades and try your best in high school to get into a college and possible scholarships.  Volunteer after school at a local Day Care.  This will give you experience that is always good on job applications later.  IF you can help with organizations such as Brownies or Cub Scouts or your local Boys or Girls Club these will always look good as well.  When you have resumes you will be able to list the volunteer work with kids.  When you are a little older you can check with the school about working the summer program with kids in your town.  If possible when you are in college try to get a Work Study Program where you can work or volunteer at a local school or Daycare to add to your resume.  Best of Luck

Answer 3

Be a teacher. Nothing beats the job security. It doesn't pay too well in the beginning, but if you stay in one district for a while you begin to make good money. The benefits are great and so are the hours!

Answer 4

Journalism--just write write write. Stories, poems, whatever. Enter essay contests. If you live in a small town, talk to the editor for your local newspaper. I know of several smaller towns who let middle school or high school aged kids write editorial-type articles for the paper to add local interest.

Teaching--start babysitting. Get experience working with children. Volunteer at a local daycare or pre-school. Or you could volunteer after school with any after school programs your school offers for elementary aged children.

With your interest in writing and children, you might also consider writing children's books.

Answer 5

i know some preschools let you help out...so you could go and see about that. and some newspapers may take interns

Answer 6

First of all, I must say that I am very impressed with your early planning. Like you, I was an early planner and I think it has made all the difference in the decisions I've made so far in my life.

I would recommend that you try to gain some insight into both careers. Look up how you would have to prepare for either career. Also, research what the details of the job would require.

I would also encourage you to contact a journalist and a teacher and ask them how they personally prepared for their jobs and how they are enjoying the job now. Try to ask them some real-life questions, like, how they balance their job and their family life. Or if their job demands a lot of their personal time. This will be important to you when you are older.

Also, perhaps ask if you can "shadow" them for a day. That means following them around for a day, observing them do their job. I am currently in college studying to become a doctor, and shadowing doctors has helped me to determine which fields of medicine I would be most interested working in.

I hope this helps and I pray much success for your future! I'm so happy that you are starting so early!

Answer 7

You're thinking of being a journalist.

Answer 8

Maybe you should consider working with the upper grades where you can work on school yearbooks and newspapers. Just a thought. I know you're interested in working with the little ones, but if you work in middle school or high school (I'm thinking back to my journalism class), you can do both things you love. If you work with third, fourth, or fifth graders, you can also work on their writing skills.

I teach first grade, and I LOVE to write, but I find it very hard to instill that love of writing in my students because they are just learning how to read. By the end of the year, they are more interested, but we just don't get to do all the writing I would like to simply because they are so young.

Answer 9

Simple...If you want to be a teacher, try get some volenteer work  with children such as an after school program or tutoring anything that would make u appear to be extremley dedicated to being a teacher. If you want to b a journo try get some work experience at a local paper or magazine. No pay though...makes u seem really dedicated...also...when u feel an urge to write...write...even if its about **** becuase one day ur going to go thru all your pieces and realize that u have wriiten a fantastic piece...edit it and use it for when u apply to college. Try writing something in every genre becuase it shows u dont have a weakness when writing in a particular genre.

Good luck.