Im a disgruntled corporate lawyer about to call it quits after a grand total of 1.5 years workin for the man. Call it an early retirement. I’m glad I have a law degree and may well at some point in the future do more law-related work, although not for corporate clients. As perhaps only the kindly kooks on this board will understand, my primary focus after I quit my job will be… full time IM training baby! Its all I ever do and think about anyways so I figure I should really get down to it and see where it takes me. No pro illusions but a Kona slot is not out of the question. At the very least after 6-12months of nothing but zentri maybe I’ll be ready to make training a less central part of my life so I can be a bit more balanced. First up is IM Moo and then maybe IM Brazil in 2005. My decision was not easy - even now I sometimes wonder whether I’m nuts (apart from the tri addiction, I mean). But the fact is that Im single, I have no debt and a small amount of savings to tide me over for at least a year and, most importantly, I just intuitively “know” that this leap is what I need to do right now (instead of what the risk-averse conventional wisdom would say, which is to line up another lawyer job before I leave this one, maybe in another town, and hope it will be what Im looking for). But obviously after I jump I still have the rest of my life to figure out. At 31 perhaps I should already have a clue but I do not. I have always been a bookish sort, however, so a prime contender for “the next step” is to teach high school history. To this end I would either try to go directly to a private school teaching job for fall of 2005 in a cool (tri-friendly) location or go back to grad school, also in fall 2005, for a masters in education and/or history. Getting a masters would be nice so that eventually I would have the option of getting a PhD and teaching at the college level.
Mostly I just wanted to write these thoughts down to see whether it makes any sense to me (I don’t keep a journal) but I would also welcome additional perspective, thoughts and/or advice from any triathlete teachers or anyone else on this forum. I’d be very interested to hear about any and all aspects of the teaching lifestyle (plusses and minuses) and suggestions as to what might be the most sensible plan for transitioning to teaching in my case.
If you’ll be more happy, you’ll live long. Or, you can die at 60 with a lot of money in the bank. You’ve set yourself up well financially, so go for it!
Anyway, if you’re serious about it, a good way to transition into teaching while still leaving plenty of flexibility for training would be to sub. I’m certain you would qualify in just about any school district, you’d get a chance to see what teaching is like, and you’d make a couple of bucks to stretch out your savings.
Until one is committed there is always hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness
concerning all acts of initiative and creation,
there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetingsand material assistance
which no man could have dreamedwould come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
First, Good Luck! It takes guts to make a change, especially to give up the $, not everyone can/will do that. I have a couple friends that teach high schoool and they love it.
“At 31 perhaps I should already have a clue but I do not” Who cares, if you are self sufficient and happy then do what you want. You don’t want to wake up in 10 years and be angry you wasted the time doing something you don’t like or that you gave up a chance to pursue something you really want.
Go for it, you sound like your in the perfect position to give it a go.
To get a teaching certificate so that you don’t have to teach on waiver is only 4 or 5 classes since you already have a degree, be prepared to be both under paid and under appreciated.
I teach high school and the main benefit to being a triathlete and a teacher is the amount of time you get to train. It seems like every other Monday is a national holiday and every other Friday is some other holiday. And of course the summers…AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH the summer!!!
Be warned though, if you go into to teaching for the summers you won’t last long at all. You have to want to teach kids. I know a handful of people who had other professions and went into teaching because they thought it would be secure, EASY, and not require many hours. They either hate it, quit, or both.
Even with all the grading you’ll still have more free time than most professions (I would guess any way). If you have the right personality, it’s a great profession and it will certainly keep you young.
Can you handle family, friends and people you meet looking down on you for doing something non-traditional? Don’t ignore this question, it is harder than you think.
Make sure your idea of private school teaching salary is correct. Sometimes it can be very low. My wife had a salary in the $15-16k range at a private elementary school. The equivalent public school job was closer to $30k. In some respects she has never been as happy as she was in that job.
If you have the cojones, and if you can do it without making yourself a burden on anyone else, go for it.
I have to admit, I’m a bit envious. I give you a lot of credit for moving on when things aren’t feeling right. However, you knew their had to be a however, the grass isn’t always greener. I know plenty of teachers, my brother in law to be is a teacher in atlanta, my best childhood friend is a teacher in MA, etc, and they’re both thinking about getting out of that business. No money, no respect, crappy curiculum they’re forced to teach, underfunded programs, etc.
I’m not suggesting you don’t do it, I’m just saying you could be just as unhappy as a teacher as you were a lawyer.
With that, I wish you the best of luck. Who knows, after a year of just training for IMs, maybe you’ll go pro!
“At 31 perhaps I should already have a clue but I do not.” This is a myth that deserves some attention. Most people don’t have a clue. There are those of us that fake it real well, and those too stupid to realize how tenuous their grasp is, but I think that many people are just happy to be able to keep it together and fool those around them into thinking they are in control. I know a few people who have confided to me that they are expecting that at any moment security will walk into their office and tell them that playtime is over.
It’s just my experience, but I know very few people over 35 who are either A) doing what they planned to do, or B) doing what they went to school for.
As long as you are comfortable with the risk you are taking, and you understand that risk, it sounds like now is the time. Better to travel that path while you can rather than to wait a few years until you’re maybe married and have kids and then decide to quit your job and drop out.
"Can you handle family, friends and people you meet looking down on you for doing something non-traditional? Don’t ignore this question, it is harder than you think. "
Hey thanks man, I didn’t realize my family, friends, and the people I meet look down upon me. Now I know what all that giggling is when I turn around.
It sounds like you thought it out already. I would go with the advice that someone gave and do some sub jobs to keep some funds coming in and keep life a little exciting. I am 26 and looking at being able to retire when I am your age. I can do it sooner if I move out of CA, and am seriously considering it. I have been thinking it over for about 2 years now and believe if you can financially take time off and get back into something or just straight out retire, do it now when you are young. I see how people change when they get older and some have regrets for not doing what they want and instead did what they thought was right.
No major financial obligations, go have fun, just make sure you can get back into the salary range you want if you decide it was not the best move.
Wait a minute. You asked for opinions so I’ll give you mine. I think that you would be making a mistake if you quit your job in hopes of training to get a kona slot for several reasons.
I knew a guy that quit his job (or retired if you want to call it that) and was under the delusion that he would train lots and get a kona slot. He was already fairly close having completed IMLP in 11 hours flat while working full time. Needless to say he failed.
Circumstances made it such that I was between jobs one summer (3 months from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and trained as much as I wanted, I would routinely go on 60 to 80 mile rides during the week etc. I didn’t really get much faster, but it was sure a nice sabbatical.
You didn’t go to law school to become a triathlon bum. If you don’t like your current employment situation look around, maybe a small firm or small town but falling off the map is simply over reacting.
Triathlon is a recreational activity, a hobby. How would it sound if someone said they really liked Radio Control Airplanes and was going to quit their job as a Corporate Lawyer to fly Radio Control Airplanes all day in hopes of becoming proficient enough to gain entry into the national tournament. Sounds a little far fetched now doesn’t it. Your situation is similar, get a grip.
Find a way to use your talents as an attorney productively. That is what you should be doing.
Now I know what all that giggling is when I turn around.
Actually I think they’re giggling about your hair.
I’m not saying it has to happen or will happen with all those people. Just suggesting that he should think about whether he can handle disapproval from others if it should come. I have recently been amazed at the number and types of people who get very disturbed when others don’t conform. I have also been amazed by the power of their disapproval on some people. I even underestimated the effect it would have on me.
BTW, I don’t know if you picked up on one thing in particular, but he is talking about several different things that do not conform to societal expectations.
FWIW, I would be considered one of those people who don’t conform for several reasons, I didn’t mean anything negative by my earlier post.
First, thanks for all the replies. But in response to Goodtime – i think i have taken your points into consideration. a kona slot is not the reason i am quitting my job. i am quitting my job because it leaves me utterly numb and unfulfilled and because i have a degree of financial and personal independence at this juncture in my life to be able to do so (although obviously not without risk and certainly at a huge financial cost). as i said, i am very happy i got my law degree and membership to 2 bars. I will certainly remain open to new opportunities to use my law degree other than in the service of corporations. for instance, wherever i end up i could take pro bono cases and even perhaps find some paying clients. but the reason of and necessity for my decision lies in the wisdom of the great quote from goethe providentially provided by toadpalmer above. Its most salient part bears repeating:
the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising to one’s favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetings and material assistance
which no man could have dreamed would come his way.
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
Quitting now to give myself perhaps 6months to a year to play at triathlon, and probably spend some time back in Brazil is an indulgence, I admit. Kona is of course a dream but I realize that triathlon is not the be all and end all of life (although I think it makes a great metaphor). But making this move, without really knowing exactly where it will end up, just intuitively seems like the right and almost necessary thing to do. I need to get back on the road to find those “unforeseen accidents and meetings and material assistance” (and people) which, sitting at this desk, I cant even dream would come my way. I want to feel the excitement of possibility and potential again. The one thing I do know is that no unforeseen moments of providence and grace will come to me in this office and in this job.
My plan to teach is just that – a plan. Teaching of all careers is the one I can think of that would give me lasting satisfaction and contentment, although I think to be happy in any job for a long period of time I would also need the stability and strength of a girlfriend/spouse, family, community, etc. Maybe I will find all of that just down the path and around the corner… Guess I’ll find out!
I was contemplating a similar move, and instead happened to stumble upon a small town that fits me well. The position is similar to what I’ve always done, but, not as secure. Teaching is something I’m seriously considering, too. I’d also love to coach. I have to decide upon secondary school, or specializing with a Masters/PhD level to teach in a University/College atmosphere. The first would take no time at all. I have a child half-way through college, and a 2 year old, so I have to keep those obligations in mind, but, I don’t think what you are proposing sounds outlandish at all.
You will find what you are looking for. Even if it wasn’t what you thought you were looking for. Go.
“At 31 perhaps I should already have a clue but I do not.”
How many of us really have a clue as to what we want to be when we grow up. I’m considering going back to school for the next decade and I’m older than you.
My friend walked away from a $2,000,000+ salary (not a typo) per year and became a tri bum for 3 or 4 years. he loved every minute of it.
Someone mentioned something about friends dropping you. His rolodex shrunk to about 5 people from his previous life and a few training partners. So you find out who your friends are, no harm there.
ASk yourself this. If I don’t do this will I look back at this oppurtunity and regret not doing this 10 yrs from now.
I know I regret not doing something I had wanted to do with my life when I was 22 till this day. 10 years later, I still regret it.
Your number 1 motto should be to live your life to make you happy.
“I know a few people who have confided to me that they are expecting that at any moment security will walk into their office and tell them that playtime is over.”