There must be a light under the bushel!

Unexplored possibilities

I was talking to my brother on the phone tonight, and he was questioning me about a job I'm looking in to. I'm getting toward the end of my master's program, but I never intended to leave teaching. I just thought I'd get a little boost in pay and go about my life with my job that I already enjoy. Then, my brother asks me, "What are you doing all this for? A few extra bucks in your paycheck? Why not use the degree?"

Well, here's the interesting part. The job I learned that I am likely qualified for is working for the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst. Sounds glamourous,huh??? It certainly pays better than teaching, but I'm still skeptical. I don't want to get into a job that turns out to be mostly pushing paper around. Plus, right now, I'm one of those unique people who doesn't dread her job, and I place a lot of importance on enjoying my work. It's just kind of intriguing because I guess I just never thought of myself in terms of being "marketable."

I've also had so many changes in life every year that I'd like to have a year to just slow down a bit and enjoy life. I started teaching two days after I graduated college, and I've been involved in sponsoring large school organizations each year. I finally called a halt to that this year so I could concentrate more on my master's degree and have some free time to myself, but I also worked summer school or took classes most summers, so I don't really know what it's like to have those coveted summers off. I'm trying to pay off my school debts and save money for a house, and a larger salary would help, but I'd just like a year without upheaval.

I bought a book about the FBI, so I'm going to do a bit more research, and it won't hurt to apply, but I need to know more about what I'm getting in to before I make any big decisions at this point.