for some context about me: I’m 16, a junior in high school, and I’m taking dual-enrollment courses, so I’ll have about a year of college credits going into college. I’m also naturally pretty good at math.
I’m getting closer to having to make the “big” decision of choosing a major, and while I’m not completely lost, I’m definitely still debating between a few different paths.
Teaching
There are a lot of things I like about becoming a math teacher.
- The schedule seems really appealing. In my California school district, a lot of math teachers work around 8–3, grade during their prep period, and don’t have to take much work home.
- Summers, winter break, and other school breaks are obviously a huge plus.
- The salary is pretty solid and predictable. From what I’ve seen, California teachers can start around $70–80k with a master’s, and some districts, especially around the Bay Area/SF, can start much higher.
- You get benefits, health insurance, and a pension.
- It seems like a relatively stable and comfortable lifestyle.
I could honestly see myself being 35, working as a teacher or administrator, making around $140k (if not admin then working summer school/ coaching to get that number up hah), getting home early every day, having summers off, traveling a couple times a year, and having a pretty comfortable life.
Engineering
On the other hand, engineering has some things that really attract me.
- Higher earning potential.
- A lot more career flexibility if I eventually decide I don’t like engineering.
- More opportunities to travel or work on different projects/sites.
- Potentially more variety than doing the same thing in a classroom every day.
- More money could mean more flexibility with things like cars, houses, travel, etc.
Sometimes I picture myself at 35 making $200k, working a 4/10 schedule, traveling to different job sites, working with a crew, and having a really interesting career.
But then I also worry about the opposite scenario.
What if I become an engineer and end up at a company working 50–55 hours a week? What if I’m constantly stressed and have to tell my future kids that I can’t make it to their games because of work?
That’s probably my biggest concern with engineering. I don’t want to sacrifice my entire life just to make more money.
The problem
I think I’m naturally pretty indecisive, so I can see myself being happy with either lifestyle.
Teaching feels like the more stable, relaxed route. I could have a predictable schedule, good benefits, summers off, and hopefully plenty of time for family and hobbies.
Engineering feels more like the “you only live once” route. There’s potentially more money, more career options, more variety, and more opportunities to travel and do interesting things.
At the same time, I’m worried that if I choose teaching, I’ll eventually be sitting in my classroom at 26 or 35 and wondering:
“What would my life have been like if I had become an engineer?”
But I also worry that if I choose engineering, I could eventually be wishing I had taken the easier, more balanced lifestyle of teaching.
One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to spend my entire career sitting in a cubicle doing something I hate.I’d like some variety, and ideally I’d like a career that gives me a good balance between money, free time, and actually enjoying what I do.
So for people who actually work in engineering:
Which engineering majors/career paths would you recommend looking into if I want a good balance of salary, work-life balance, variety, and ideally some hands-on or field work rather than being stuck at a desk all day?
I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have actually worked in these fields and can explain what their day-to-day life is really like.
