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Trying to leave

Posted by Help on 12/31/2024, 11:21 am

So before anyone tries to convince me that it can get better if you do XY or Z, I'm done. I've even went and am still going to therapy over this (and other things as well to better myself).

Without going back to school, for now, what jobs did you get into?

I do plan to finish out the school year, however right now I'm willing to work multiple minimum wage jobs just to get out. I just know that that may not be sustainable long term.

And just for additional information, I am single with no children, made it into the early double digits of this career, and would prefer staying in Texas.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by anon on 1/6/2025, 8:23 am, in reply to "Trying to leave"

What about instrument repair? I have some friends in the Dallas area who make a good living doing this. There might be a program still at UNT to train to do this.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Me on 1/7/2025, 9:12 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

Most of the bigger repair shops (M&A, for one) will let you apprentice, too.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Job search on 1/3/2025, 12:52 pm, in reply to "Trying to leave"

Have you looked at job boards? Have you looked at what jobs and salaries you have minimum qualifications for? Start applying for EVERYTHING under the sun that you are willing to do with a salary that you can survive on.

I started an online degree Fall '23, left teaching in the Spring of '24, did bookkeeping for a non profit while I finished degree, and now I'm working for the government.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Respectfully on 1/4/2025, 9:08 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

90% of job applications on job boards are reviewed by AI or scripts - and no actual person actually ever checks your resume. Cast as wide a net as you can get away with.. Be creative on your resume.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Questioner on 12/31/2024, 9:20 pm, in reply to "Trying to leave"

Don't withdraw your TRS money.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Curious on 1/8/2025, 8:22 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

I 100% disagree IF you are certain that you will never return to teaching (at least in public schools). Rolling my TRS funds into an IRA then converting it to a Roth was the best move I could have made. Yes, I paid taxes on the balance, but I have averaged 8-10% return, even after factoring in the pandemic.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Kramer on 1/3/2025, 2:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

I got out in '21 (sort of. I still direct a college pep band part time so that keeps me in TRS until "the end."). I work part time in the travel industry and own a crowd sourcing fundraising platform (just got it finished.)

Being single and kidless, the sky is the limit for you. Good luck to you.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Retired STX on 1/2/2025, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

THIS^^^^^^

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Hmm on 1/2/2025, 10:57 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

Why not? Doesn't TRS only get a 2% return? Might be smarter to roll that into something higher earning. Not sure how they all works, but maybe something to think about?

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by And on 1/4/2025, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

After 5 years of not teaching doesn't it STOP earning interest? I may be misremembering but I'm pretty sure that was the case. If I were positive that I was leaving education I would figure out how to roll that into another retirement account that I can control. DO NOT TAKE THE MONEY DIRECTLY. They will withhold 20% for taxes. If you don't pay that back when you put it in a qualified plan then that 20% is a distrobution and subject to both income tax and early withdrawal penalties.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by WT Retired on 1/6/2025, 2:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

If you're certain you'll be leaving your current job before retirement, I highly recommend considering moving your funds into an IRA with a reputable brokerage firm. Having retired myself and now working in the industry, I've gained invaluable insights into financial planning—things I wish I had known 30-40 years ago. These lessons could have significantly improved my family’s financial security in retirement.

There are numerous strategies to make your money work harder for you, and I’d be happy to help or guide you to the right resources. It’s also worth noting that working in this field is both rewarding and intellectually stimulating. If you’re curious or interested in exploring this career path, feel free to reach out—I’d love to chat!

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Curious on 1/8/2025, 1:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

Would you mind sharing your email? I would like to know more.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by WT Retired on 1/10/2025, 7:04 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

geowens@ft.newyorklife.com

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Op on 1/1/2025, 8:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

I would normally agree with your advice, however I created a separate retirement outside of TRS when I became a teacher. I would role over my TRS into that account and that retirement can follow me into any career.

Thank you though.

Have a great year!

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by really retired on 12/31/2024, 3:58 pm, in reply to "Trying to leave"

Buc-ees is hiring. I once took a nice job after quitting just to give me time to "review the situation." After 3 months of being poor, I figured it out. Being single, you have the luxury of going back to school without affecting others. Consider leaving now to let your students have a nice semester (yes, that was a bit snarky). Can you get into a college this late? m

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by Careful on 1/2/2025, 9:29 am, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

Buc-ees also requires 70+ hour workweeks from its management to justify those huge salaries they advertise. You'll be working from 5a to 6p five days a week - unless you're the late shift, which is 11p to noon, five days a week. Plus an "on call" day on one of your two "days off" which puts you well past that 70 hour mark.

And you regularly have to report early and stay late, too. And because you're "management" - breaks aren't a thing.

Source: have friends who worked there.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by really retired again on 1/2/2025, 11:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

Buc-ees was merely an example - could have said McDonalds. when I did it, I got a job in a mental hospital. You work with educated people. and, I figured out a lot about myself by watching the doctors and inmates and working with professional people. Pay was terrible.

Re: Trying to leave

Posted by OP on 1/1/2025, 8:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Trying to leave"

I truly understand that people, in general, are tired of hearing teachers/band directors wanting to leave the profession and so its really easy to leave a "snarky" comment.

You don't know what work I did to come to this conclusion and you don't need to know. However, in a career that should have compassion I have noticed that more and more adults have less compassion for each other.

By the way, anyone can make a life change at any age and to put limits on yourself just because it might be hard is stupid.

But thank you for Buc-ees idea, I do appreciate it!

Have a great year!

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