It’s my life

Sorry people, I need to vent. This isn't aimed at anyone in particular (at least, nobody who reads this blog ;-).

I am sick and tired of people telling me I'd be better off getting a different job. They will usually say something about how I have the skills so I could get a real (i.e. development) job.

Firstly, it's none of your damn business. I don't tell you how to live your life, so don't tell me how to run mine.

Secondly, just because I _can _program, why does that mean I must? I can also operate a checkout or flip burgers, does it mean I have to do those jobs? I have all the various skills needed to teach IT, why shouldn't I use them for that purpose?

Thirdly, who passed a law that says teaching is not a valid profession? Why can anyone not understand that I want to teach. I enjoy it. I worked as a programmer and I didn't like it. I worked as a lecturer and I did like it. Why should I give up a job I like, that pays fairly well, and that has good working conditions for a job that may not?

I appreciate that some people I know have left jobs at the uni to do other things and they are happier doing those other things. And I understand that it's natural for them to need to rationalise the decision to leave, especially if they are a bit insecure about it. I know that one way of doing it is to try to invalidate or ridicule the job and employer left behind. I kept my trap shut when those people belittled my employer and my role (even though it was hard) because I knew it was just their way of making themselves feel better about their decision to leave.

But it does still piss me off when they tell me that I should do what they are doing, because I'd be better off. The clear implication is that the choice I have made isn't valid.

I appreciate that the uni life may not be for them - they have the right to make their own choices about their life. But they need to recognise that the uni life may be right for me and that I have the right to make my own choices too.

So the next time anyone wants to tell me I should get a different job, don't.