Dr. Sonya Rogers

Contributing Writer

No matter what job you choose to pursue, it is always smart to think about the reasons you wish to work in a certain field and ‘why’ you prefer one job over another.

With each field, there is a variety of tasks one must face on a daily basis. When choosing a career, it is also imperative that you understand the best tips for interviewing and you create a positive-working relationship with your boss.

As an educator, I have heard many teachers state that they love teaching. However, one of the many complaints I often hear them speak of is how tired they are of having to repeat to students, and discipline them constantly.

Does that mean being a ‘teacher’ means one doesn’t exactly get to ‘teach’ like they wish, or the idea of being an instructor is different than what they perceived when they entered the field of teaching?

Does it mean that professionals are now feeling more like babysitters?

With any job, there will be tedious tasks that require a person to ‘wear many hats,’ which can make a job less desirable.

Many educators enter the field of education being that they enjoy working with students. They not only work for a paycheck, but also fulfill a need within their own lives to help others.

Most teachers are compassionate and express a happy feeling when they can meet the academic needs of students; they enjoy seeing the light bulb come on! Yet, they do not simply just work for their students. They may choose to serve as an educator in order to receive a particular health plan or benefits. In addition, they may think they work simply to meet the financial needs of their family and to have the same summer schedule of their children.

For whatever reason they believe they chose to become a teacher, it is important that they continue to grow and learn as an educator and know that they must find an internal reason to work in a manner that makes them feel appreciated and successful.

Since a person’s work should provide a feeling of personal satisfaction and give meaning to life, it is important that people are cognizant of the best methods for interviewing for a desired job. It definitely takes great courage to interview. No matter how much you know about an occupation, it is wise to show you are available and eager to fill unavoidable gaps in knowledge. Rather than say you are good at a particular task, explain how you have excelled or adapted to similar situations in the past.

One major mistake when starting a job is to make your boss look bad for hiring you. Your supervisor is critical in assessing your present job skills and future opportunities that require a recommendation. Remember to ask intelligent questions, maintain an open line of communication, dress appropriately, and be pro-active. Think of ways you can make yourself, your stakeholders, and your organization shine!

Whether you work for yourself, your family, or your boss, what are the thoughts that enter your mind each morning when you wake? Do your first thoughts about your role at work bring happiness and excitement, or, do you roll out of bed thinking, “Ugh, here we go again!” If you selected the second choice, you might wish to seek a job change or create a nice way to modify whatever is making you dread each day on the job.

Better yet, if you know someone else who is unhappy at work, find a way to make their experiences more pleasant and maybe someone will ‘pay it forward’ to return the favor to you.

Dr. Sonya Rogers is a certified counselor who lives in Daphne.