It's fair to say that "Take 20" had little affect on me. It's not that I had anything against the film, it was interesting to see so many veterans of the field packed in together, offering insight, but...I don't know. Am I allowed to admit in a teaching class that teaching isn't precisely my post graduate goal?
If teaching and academia are where I end up, I'd be fine with that. You could do FAR worse than teaching (I, in fact, have done far worse, many times), but I want to be a writer. Novels, movies, video games- I don't care as long as I can throw words on a page that entertain people. Breaking into any of those brands of writing is a long shot, but improving my shot at them is why I'm here. To watch "Take 20" was to observe a passion that isn't mine.
Don't get the wrong idea, I still plan to work hard for my students while I'm here in school. Their growth as writers reflects on me as an instructor, and frankly, I've got an ego to feed. It is important to me that I do well by them. That said, I don't see myself getting terribly worked up about what I'm going to wear to class, how I'm going to conduct myself with students, etc. The best teachers/professors I've had have always been the ones who were professional, informative, and supportive. If I can play it relatively close to those standards, I think I'll be ok...said the potentially naive graduate student.
-Golsan Out
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5 comments:
I appreciate your honesty! Let me ask you a question then: Why did you decide to come to school rather than write? And why an MA rather than an MFA?
I think it's good to want to do more--but I DO worry about people who don't want to teach being in the classroom. I'd really rather have it populated by people who WANT to be there.
So--how do you feel about teaching? Is it something you'll do (and try to do well) but only for a short time?
James, you said, "The best teachers/professors I've had have always been the ones who were professional, informative, and supportive." I couldn't agree with you more. I'd like to add that a passion for the subject matter is important, and also a love for students.
Maybe once you're in the classroom you'll really love it. I hope that is the case!
James, wow! I think your honesty is great. If you want to be a writer, the classroom (at this moment) may be the perfect way for you to help emerging young writers. Maybe your perspective, being one of not wanting to teach but write, will help your students dive into the writing field just a little more. It think your aspirations are great, and who knows, maybe once you get in the classroom you'll love it!
I can identify with skepticism with regard to this whole process. I think every grad student probably shares that same insecurity. Is this really want I want to do? What am I going to do when I get out of here? These are the questions that we've been asking ourselves since graduating high school, most likely even bofore that. My take is this: maybe I can use this experience to enrich my pool of ideas, add it to that little black book that all writers keep for gems that might one day make it to the page.
I wonder though...given breaking into writing as a career, while maybe not risky, sometimes takes a while...what is your "backup plan?" I figure something like teaching is a good fit?
Interestingly, when I first went to college (a long time ago)I gave up my dream of teaching in order to have a good paying job/career. 20 years later...here I am again! Bully for you...stick with your writing dream. I wish I had with mine.
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