Should I become a high school science and engineering teacher?

[Stephenk53]

I enjoy engineering particularly electrical engineering but I absolutely hate building things under someone else, such as say I was working on a project in school and have a very select few things I can make and they have a large set of criteria I must meet. I prefer to generally do things myself instead of following a large set of criteria or with others. What is strange is that, that only applies to building things with my hands especially if I have to build it with others. Furthermore I enjoy doing DIY projects and I like teaching, general science and psychology as well. So I was thinking about going into being a science and basic engineering teacher at the high school level. Do you think that is a good idea or if I should do something else?

By the way, I know teachers must follow criteria but as far as I know they are more free to choose how the class is run than say an engineer can choose projects.

 

[SemM]

Teaching kids in the age of 6-12 is very interesting, because it is challenging in terms of introducing to them new concepts of reasoning, which may have more joyful results than with older children or students. You can consider that.

 

[ZapperZ]

I enjoy engineering particularly electrical engineering but I absolutely hate building things under someone else, such as say I was working on a project in school and have a very select few things I can make and they have a large set of criteria I must meet. I prefer to generally do things myself instead of following a large set of criteria or with others. What is strange is that, that only applies to building things with my hands especially if I have to build it with others. Furthermore I enjoy doing DIY projects and I like teaching, general science and psychology as well. So I was thinking about going into being a science and basic engineering teacher at the high school level. Do you think that is a good idea or if I should do something else?

Wait, they teach "engineering" in high school now?

By the way, I know teachers must follow criteria but as far as I know they are more free to choose how the class is run than say an engineer can choose projects.

Since when? High-school and pre-college curriculum have a lot of restrictions and guidelines. Why do you think pre-college teachers need teaching certificates to be able to teach at such a level, while college instructors don't? Do you think you'll be able to do whatever you want if your students do not perform well in those standardized tests?

Unless you work for yourself or own your own business, EVERY job will have restrictions and criteria. After all, someone is paying you to do something in return.

Zz.

 

[SemM]

Wait, they teach "engineering" in high school now?
Since when? High-school and pre-college curriculum have a lot of restrictions and guidelines. Why do you think pre-college teachers need teaching certificates to be able to teach at such a level, while college instructors don't? Do you think you'll be able to do whatever you want if your students do not perform well in those standardized tests?

Unless you work for yourself or own your own business, EVERY job will have restrictions and criteria. After all, someone is paying you to do something in return.

Zz.

I said that from engineering you could teach school children. I have, and it is very rewarding!

 

[Dr. Courtney]

Engineering is all about constraints - optimizing performance per the specs while minimizing costs, weight, space, etc. In the real world, these constraints are usually imposed by independent parties.

You don't really love engineering if you hate constraints imposed by others. Your plan seems destined to fulfill the maxim, "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

You may teach what you know, but you impart who you are. We don't need a bunch of graduates who think they love engineering but hate the constraints.

 

[byzantine04]

OP seems to have some control issues. There will always be someone telling you what to do or how to do it, engineering or not. Concerning these specific situations of projects in school, these projects they have you do are specifically designed to teach you something. They can be fun, but that is not their primary goal. Think of each project like a puzzle. Puzzles wouldn't be any fun if you could just do whatever you wanted. The fun is figuring out how to do it with what you've been given. Like MacGyver.