How Can I Balance a Part-Time Job with Pursuing My PhD?

[xaos]

at the beginning of college some years ago, i took a part time job working in produce. i worked there through a BA and an MA in mathematics, and now i looks like I'm ready to approach a PhD in applied mathematics, but I'm still working there.

i cannot simply quit because i need the health insurance, and also it pays the rent, and it has been good that it gives me an extra few days to study. but i don't want to stay there while I'm working on my PhD; both because i want to study full time if i can, but also the management there has gotten to be inhospitable.

teaching is only a 30% possibility for me, I'm not sure how to over come the anxiety of presenting myself in front of a class.

industry i see only as a 20% possibility, since they tend to look for techie types, and i don't have any background in engineering except for what I've read in applied maths.

since i live in michigan, most would say i should look for something out of state, but i'd like to stay near my home town if i can.

do i have a clear question? well how can i quit my job, still have health insurance, be able to pay cost of living, and still have time work on PhD?

 

[Pengwuino]

Why is teaching only a 30% possibility? Is it less of a possibility since you think you won't be able to do it well?

 

[Math Is Hard]

What does your school have to offer for health insurance for students?

If you have to do a TA-ship, honestly, teaching is not that bad. You'll be nervous the first 3-4 times, but after that, you'll know everyone so well that it becomes like talking to a group of friends.

 

[Pengwuino]

If you have to do a TA-ship, honestly, teaching is not that bad. You'll be nervous the first 3-4 times, but after that, you'll know everyone so well that it becomes like talking to a group of friends.

Or more realistically, it will become a group of people who keep falling asleep during your lecture and ask you questions that make you wonder how they managed to graduate high school.

In either case, you'll get over the nervousness fairly quickly.

 

[Math Is Hard]

Or more realistically, it will become a group of people who keep falling asleep during your lecture and ask you questions that make you wonder how they managed to graduate high school.

In either case, you'll get over the nervousness fairly quickly.

But aren't the snoozers usually gone by mid-term?

And yes, the nervousness will fade when the genuinely interested (plus the occasional suck-ups) stop you in the hall to tell you how meaningful and engaging your explanations were.

 

[Pengwuino]

And yes, the nervousness will fade when the genuinely interested (plus the occasional suck-ups) stop you in the hall to tell you how meaningful and engaging your explanations were.

I've never heard of this happening. Stop trolling MIH :)

WHOA my 5999th post! I need to save my 6000th for something good.

 

[Math Is Hard]

I've never heard of this happening. Stop trolling MIH :)

No trolling, but I am in a different situation than you, because I am a "trainer". I teach, but my classes are optional, and I don't give grades.

I usually start my classes with a funny youtube video because so many attendees roll in 5 minutes late, and its good to break the ice. Then I say something like

"Hi, I'm MIH, and here is my phone number and email (on the whiteboard or my PowerPoint slide). You guys are here because you work with Application X. I work with it, too, so I am going to show you some things that made my life easier when dealing with Application X, and I hope it will be helpful. I'm also looking forward to finding out the problems that you have encountered. For these, I might not have an answer for you off the top of my head, but I will get back to you. So, let's get started.."

And that's how I teach --as a helpful friend. I'm not formally trained, it's just the only way I know how to do it, and the students respond pretty well.

 

[xaos]

i'm sometimes taken by severe anxiety usually triggered by unfamiliar social situations where anxiety medication may only help partially. this looks to be the major stumbling block, which is why it has taken so long to get use to the idea of teaching. even simple social situations can be problematic. as i mature, these problems seem to be less an issue. but at this rate, i will be in my mid 40s before i have the maturity to handle teaching (i'm in my mid 30s).

but getting a TA or some adjunct teaching does look to be a possible out, so i am still willing to consider this.

university health insurance tends run on on the order of $100 a month.

 

[micromass]

And yes, the nervousness will fade when the genuinely interested (plus the occasional suck-ups) stop you in the hall to tell you how meaningful and engaging your explanations were.

Wow, never had that happening. My students seem to hate me because the material is difficult. I think I'm nice though...

To the OP: go TA'ing, your anxiety will wear off very quickly! Just think that you are a superior being who teaches their minions, their thoughts won't hurt you! (is that why they hate me so much?)