A question to my friends who are in higher education...

[sharelle]

makd could probably answer this for me. As could darkwoods, if I'm not mistaken. Or anyone else who teaches (or has taught) at the university level.

Since I'll be looking for a new job at the end of this year, I've been tempted to try other aspects of education. I've recently been given the possible opportunity to interview for a part-time position at a university and I'm trying to decide if it's something I'd like to try. I don't know much about this type of job, but without yet looking into it I think it's pretty safe to say that it would be quite different from what I'm used to.

I've been teaching for 7 years at the high school level and, aside from the rough start I had, which I detailed in a earlier post, I've discovered that I really do love what I do. (Most notably the wonderful interactions I've had with the kids.) From my own experience attending college, and the hopping from class to class a few days per week, as opposed to having the same classes every day, I wasn't sure if I'd get the same satisfaction in really getting to know my students. Is there a lack of intimacy, or does it really depend on the institution/class taught?

On the plus side, it's been a dream of mine to go back for my PhD for a long time now, and working at the university level may make that dream more accessible.

So, I guess I'm asking the pros and cons of working in higher education. Do you love what you do? And what do you like best about it? Any complaints?

(If anyone doesn't feel comfortable posting about this publicly, you can drop me an email at NLRummi (at) gmail (dot) com.) I'd appreciate any input anyone can give to me a great, great deal.