#MicroblogMondays: Going Rogue

Not sure what #MicroblogMondays is? Read the inaugural post which explains the idea and how you can participate too.

Since receiving the news about my dream postdoc and the pending move, I've been thinking a lot about my career path. Despite the fact that this training will be academically focused, I'm still hell bent on leaving academia or finding a less traditional path. To accomplish this, I've been doing a lot of networking and research into options. But, I've also been entertaining options that most would not consider.

I've written about how we're going broke over daycare. Literally. As much as Grey and I love the school the Beats attend, the cost is more than what I make annually as an adjunct professor (and I could easily write another post about the slave labor that is adjunct faculty). About two weeks before I received the news from E, I made a bold move. I called a meeting with our daycare's director and asked about employment options. And was floored when she asked "when can you start?"

There's a lot of data emerging about early childhood education and the positive impact it has on life-long learning. What didn't dawn on me until I started training at the center was the mindful curriculum development that is underway with some of these centers, focusing on providing kids from a very young age opportunities to explore and learn. Even more surprising was the realization that a lot of the techniques and tools the centers are using mirror what is being used in STEM education at the post-secondary level. 

Throw in the fact that we get a 50% discount and added income and we are no longer bleeding financially.

This week I settle into a new quarter and work schedule. It's definitely going to be chaotic for me. But, at least the chaos is reduced down to me and me alone. That and the fact that doors are opening and ideas are flowing for future prospects.

Wish me luck.