The Busy Giffs: Two Identities

April 30, 2012

Two Identities


I feel like I am two people stuck in one body when I apply for jobs.

Person 1 is an education Masters student who has 3 certifications through the state of Massachusetts that range from Preschool, to middle school to high school with an additional elementary school one pending.
I've been working in schools as a teacher since I was a junior in high school doing a co-op for the preschool.  Then I was a lunch aide/recess helper, a 2nd grade classroom aide, and a substitute for 6 different school systems over 8 years. 

Person 2 is an amazing salesperson, supervisor, and all around customer service expert. First job was at Best Buy at 16 and worked in a form of retail/sales ever since, going to Build A Bear, Circuit City and then into restaurants working at Friendlys. Factor in work as a Resident Assistant and Orientation Leader and it shows that Person 2 is an amazingly personable sales person.

But for some reason, these two people don't look right together on a resume. 

Do schools care that I helped create and implement the training program we use in all of the corporate stores for every new hire?
Does a sales marketing job care that I have passed 6 different Massachusetts Teacher Educator Licensure tests?

Obviously my objective is different for both personalities
so how do I make those two personalities live harmoniously on the paper?
Does it seem like I don't have passion for either if my resume says Looking for A or B? I feel like it should only say one...

Do I really care which track I end up on?

No. Not at all.

Would I be happy if I spent the rest of my life teaching English to high schoolers? Yep.
Would I be happier than if I worked in an office, interacting with customers all day? I don't think so.

Why do I have to be one or the other?


5 comments:

  1. Heather, I feel the same way. I have 4 different resumes; one for serving, one for education, one CV with everything on it, and one musician resume only with music related things on it. It is frustrating that I can't make them all go together into one happy fantastic resume that will blend all of my talents and interests into one awesome job but bartending and teaching don't mesh well. I have even thought of scrapping both careers and starting over and going pre-med. But do I really want to go through another 4-6 years of school with an infant? um NO. I do think everything will work out and we can find this happy medium and blend our talents into one fantastic career, but it may take time.

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  2. You can teach in the "professional world". My company does have training that we give our customers- it's half sales/marketing and half teaching so you may like that. :)

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  3. Heather- I have been following your blog for a while now (I found you through Casey's blog). I completely understand where you are coming from. I'm currently going through the same issue with trying to find a "real" job/career. I went to Bridgewater for special ed/ communication disorders. I was waiting for them to get the master's program in speech and when they never did I figured teaching special ed was the closest thing. I've been working as a para at the high school level for 3 years now. I don't hate it, but I literally make no money! You've worked as an aide...you know what they make! I'm more than half way done with the sped master's program and I can't pass the general curriculum MTEL. I've passed all the others, but I just can't seem to pass this one. I've taken it so many times. I've essentially given up. I'm not a mom so I can't relate in that aspect, but I am wife. If you ever need somebody to talk to or vent to I would be more than happy to listen. Best of luck and I'm sure something will turn up soon!

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  4. Yup, I hate being a grown up! I think by having both tracks on your resume it makes you seem more well-rounded! I am so glad I found your cute blog...I am your newest follower from the May Follower Fest! I would love if you would check out my blog and if you like what you see please follow back :)
    Modern Modest Beauty

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  5. I totally understand how you feel!

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