I Seem So Small on Paper
February 17, 2008 by mrschili
I mentioned it over at A Teacher’s Education, but I don’t know if you all read over there, so I’m telling you here, too: TCC announced on Friday that it’s teaching out and will close sometime in 2009. Mrs. Chili and all her coworkers are soon to be out of work.
I just finished the first draft of my CV. What a demoralizing effort is reducing all of one’s work to one or two pages of bullet points.
There is no indication on this catalog of my education and experience of the passion with which I pursue my calling. There is no inkling of my personality, of my enthusiasm, or of the joy that I take in my work. Really, there’s no way of knowing at all what kind of person I am from the laundry list on a resume or CV, or of how hard I worked to get the things that I put on it. It all seems so small and common.
I have a strange sense about the months to come. I am not approaching this job hunt with a whole lot of optimism; it seems to me that most places are either hunkering down in the face of the impending recession or are actively cutting people loose, so I suspect that on that alone it will be difficult to find work. I’ve been thinking about the possibility of looking for a full time gig at a high school in the fall, but I just don’t think I’m up for that. Listening and reading all my friends who work in high schools is enough to make me think twice about willingly putting myself in that environment.
The upshot is that I’m going to toss this meagre little representation of who I am out to everyone who does what I want to do - up to and including Local U., though I know I’ll never get a second glance from them - and leave it up to the Universe.
That is what that 2nd paragraph in the cover letter is to be. The bang up description of your teaching approach, successes and philosophy. Good luck, girl. I know it isn’t fun.
Well, wherever you go, they will be certainly happy to have you. I feel badly you found out via my big mouth, I just assumed they had the decency to let you all know before they put it out on the news. How about the tech or the one they call southern?
I don’t envy you. Wait! I am you … sort of … except I don’t have to leave my job until I am promoted to AP, return to the classroom, take a job in curriculum, or leave education all together.
Regardless, I find myself polishing my resume every couple of weeks and pining away.
I answered what you “axed” on my entry today if you want to stop by and check it out.
((hugs))
that’s all i’ve got right now.
Sorry that the “tele-bone” ( the thirty two teeth yammering away) was the way you found out. Not fair, not correct, and as amatter of fact, illegal. Unless they have 90 days to play with, and they might. Big or little Iniversity,local college are pretty much getting away with whatever they want. We minions aren’t asked nor do we matter. Too sad. Sorry.
I’m speechless. And so sorry, sweetie. Anything I can do?
Wow! A real shock. I’m so sorry. I’m here for you, whatever you need.
I saw this on the news too and assumed you knew about it long ago. This really sucks. As you know, I’m not one to wallow and I know, you’re not either. Remember, I went through this too. I ended up with something MUCH better. Something I love and I am now someplace where my work is actually appreciated and where I have a voice.
The universe is shouting at you that there is something better for you. I am super excited for you! Go out there and get it!
Phooie! I’m sorry.
I want to underline the last paragraph in Auntie’s comment and the 1st line in saintseester’s. Both of them took the thoughts out of my keyboard. You WILL have a chance to convey who YOU are and what YOU bring at some point during the job search, and I do believe that the big U has something else in store for you.
PS If you want another perspective on teaching in a public hs, I’d love to chat. I love my job and I know you’d be good at it… if it’s something you want to do.
I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a good feeling to find your niche.
I don’t know the wealth of other school sin the area, but I can’t see why someone wouldn’t snap you up in a heartbeat.
I was thinking of the few lines a resume really is. We are all advised to just put in the facts, so we do, we don’t want some Personnel Director (ah, sorry, lost my mind for a moment–Director of Human Resources) to be burdened with anything other than “bare bones.” Well, I guess that’s what cover letters (don’t be prolix here either!) and interviews are for.
Just remember: All will be well and all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.
Don’t forget to enjoy any break you get from working!
Okay, I’m out of platitudes for this morning.
Jeeziz.
Well, concoct something that gets you the interview–the other stuff will come across in person.
If anything, here we have another reminder that it is always best to dig into the here and now, which is the only route to next things, big or small.
RM
I hate putting together resume things. It’s so hard to reduce your very significant life down to bullet points, as you say. For me, its taking 12 or more years of playing experiences and personal musical successes and making a list of about 10, double-columned.
It’s most diminishing.
That sucks. I’m sorry too, Chili.
Good luck. At least you have just a little time to maneuver, eh?
Sooo sorry to hear this! Totally sucks- especially having to finish out the year there.
So sorry to hear about this, Chili. Good luck, good luck, good luck….