DCU p.t. teaching

RockyHorror

Hi everyone, I've been reading these boards for ages now and have found all the advise and info on here very useful, so thanks! I'd appreciate any comments on my situation. Last year I taught LC business studies 3 hours at night once a week and looks like I'll be asked back next year. I wanted to get a feel for the area and to see whether or not teaching was for me and it turns out I absolutely love it! So I've a business degree, a half finished masters in business (i started it about 5 years ago and between one thing and another I still haven't gotten round to finishing it) and 10 years industry experience. I've also got a few years of volunteering experience with young people. I'm in my early 30s and I'm just all over the place with taking this leap of faith! I really really want to do it....
I probably don't have enough points for the business studies pgde. But anyway I think the part-time option over the two years would suit me much better. So if I applied in October 09 and if I was lucky enough to get a spot, i could complete my unfinished masters at night between Jan and June 2010 and start the GDEd in DCU after summer 2010. I really want to be able to continue working in my current job for the following (all money orientated) reasons:

- It gives me 3 years between now and qualification to -

*afford to finish my masters
*cover costs of grad diploma in DCU
*save money for the salary drop during the first few years as a teacher
*save money for possible unemployment following qualification
*finish saving for a deposit on a house (ok, ok, maybe am biting off more than I can chew here!!)

What do you think? Sorry this is all over the place a bit. Do you think I should just forget about finishing my masters? Should I forget thinking I would be permitted to continue working in my job whilst studying the Grad Dip? Forget about all of it until I buy a house, but then follow my dreams of being a teacher? But what age will I be then! Am I too obsessed with finance side of things?

Course, I could end up just being made redundant and all this saving malarkys gone out the window.

Thanks for any advice, teaching guru's!

Sir Humphrey

The education Diploma in DCU requires someone to have a guaranteed placement in a school (at least that's what their website says) so while I don't doubt that you are genuinely interested in teaching it seems that they expect people to be actually participating in the profession at the time of doing the course.

trihead

hi RockyHorror

I'm a graduate of the dcu course. I think the course would suit your situation alot as outlined above.

Should I forget thinking I would be permitted to continue working in my job whilst studying the Grad Dip?

You could possibly do it part time [2-3 days] with the other days teaching but this could be tough going and hard to organise your teaching hours in blocks or days. If you plan to start saving for the course I think it would be best to do the gded course [without working ] and try and get as much teaching hours while doing the course as possible as this is where you will do a lot of your learning. I had 22 hours while doing the course which while tough going was more beneficial that having 2- 3hrs which a few students had. It also is better for you cv and job prospects afterwards.

thanks

kob29

I also know a guy doing it and he is based in the school most days. To only be in the school a day or two you would be depending on someone doing a lot of timetabling to suit you.

How as ever I would say finish the masters, its worth more salary wise to you when you qualify.

Business studies is a very competitive area jobs wise but with industry experience the likes of VECs and the plc sector would be attractive.