I work as a college English instructor. Most of us out there who do this job have Master's degrees in our fields. What you may not know is that most of us work as contract workers, teaching part-time at several schools on a per-class basis. It takes a long time, and usually a Doctorate, before we can achieve full-time status. The pay for us Adjunct Instructors is not very good and we work very hard to make a decent living. We do it because we love our area of study, our students, and the learning environment. I truly believe that what I do contributes to the good of society - through education.
When I got pregnant, I knew I was going to have to take a semester off. Normally, women take maternity leave from 6 to 12 weeks. A semester is 16 weeks, so I had a few extra weeks to revel solely in my little one. It definitely put restraints on our financial security, but through saving and careful managing, we were able to pay the bills. I anticipated returning to work for the summer semester.
Today I heard from my boss, the Dean, that my classes have been cancelled due to low enrollment. Which means that I have no job until the fall term in August. I am disappointed on so many levels. I was imagining the new, stimulating assignments I would create. I was going to incorporate some knowledge I acquired over my break into the classroom. Above all, we were looking forward to the extra income. Now I am so worried, looking for part-time retail jobs around my in-laws' town.
I never thought that I would be married, with a child, living in my old hometown, under a parental roof, working a summer job again.
If I can even get a job. As I'm sure you know, times are tough out there. I heard that high school and college age students can't get the jobs they would normally get because there are so many people out of work. Before, we were choosing to move in with the in-laws. Now it looks like we have to.
Everything happens for a reason, Annie. Just keep repeating, everything happens for a reason...
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