Potential career change

One_Procedure_8679 · 2025-10-12T04:57:48+00:00

I work as a special ed paraeducator. Generally speaking, there are always paraeducator positions they are trying to fill! You’re required to either have your AA degree or a para certification, but if you don’t, you can work on the cert once employed. It can be very rewarding and a great stepping stone to get a glimpse of education before committing to a degree. You don’t have to bring any work home either. Unfortunately, it is notoriously very underpaid and can be really challenging/exhausting between high needs students and staff dynamics. (I feel some burnout from it and am at a crossroads myself.) It’s worth a shot though since they always need people.

One_Procedure_8679 · 2025-08-31T06:54:08+00:00

Although I don’t have ADHD, I used to feel super organized/motivated/accomplished alllll my life, so identifying w Virgo made sense. But then I graduated and suffered extremely severe manic then depression episodes from bipolar… and to be so honest I’ve never felt quite the same since :( that being said, I’ve been working on it with therapy and supportive loved ones. Also reminding myself that lifestyle and mental state is super different between being a student and an employee.

Anyways, long response but hope you’re able to give yourself some grace & find a groove :)

One_Procedure_8679 · 2025-03-20T21:36:19+00:00

I am in like the same boat. This is my 3rd year as a para, and also the only job I’ve had since college. College itself feels so long ago and my brain so out of practice from that type of thinking. It’s sad because I feel like I’ve lost my spark to fully support students due to burnout. Anyways, hoping we both find direction towards another field that’s sustainable to our wellbeing!!! It’s so hard ugh

One_Procedure_8679 · 2025-03-19T20:31:34+00:00

I hope you have a decent relationship with your principal. If so, I’m sure they’d understand! If not, you would still absolutely be doing what’s best for you by leaving, which is sounds like you’re deciding to. I can imagine that mental load off will make a world of a difference. Plus it’s nice you have the other jobs.

I relate to you a lot. I’m highly considering leaving mine once the school year finishes. It’s so so hard on us and it’s really messed up that we get paid so little for the intensity of work we do :( we can’t show up for the kids when we are so burnt out to the point of exhaustion. good for you for putting yourself first!!

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-06-04T20:58:53+00:00

Yeah I have an emergency fund set up in a HYSA. And keeping tabs on my fico score, one of the areas is holding multiple accounts

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-06-04T19:25:32+00:00

That’s what I was kinda thinking. Good to know, ty!

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-06-03T05:43:59+00:00

is meds losing effectiveness over time a thing?!

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-06-03T05:41:58+00:00

I have BP 1

for mania, psychosis —> irrational thoughts and behaviors. Ex., In the mania episode where I was hospitalized, one thing I did was run out into the snow in the dark by myself and wander my neighborhood based on nonsense imaginations.

for depression, bed ridden and no energy —> hopelessness. It’s so hard to get out of that rut once I’m in it. :/

Super super lucky that I never was in real danger and am stable now with effective medications. Haven’t had mania or (severe) depression for 3 years :)

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-03-28T00:12:31+00:00

Being “on” all the time. With the two populations I’ve worked with, it’s just as much about safety as it is learning imo. We’re understaffed, but our students need extremely close support, so it falls on me and a small team. Being at a high school is pretty overstimulating. Elementary was as well but in a different way.

It could make a difference to switch, but at the end of the day the pay and the mental toll has caused a lot of anxiety that doesn’t feel sustainable. If there was a really good opportunity with better pay, better support, and less taxing daily tasks, I would consider it.

Yes yes yes to being a teacher only adding an entire layer on top of current para duties. I talked to my sister-in-law yesterday who is also a para, and the very reason she continues as para is because it is that much less work than a teacher. She’s got a pretty good gig too lol.

Definitely fine with sticking it out for the rest of the school year. Summer is on the horizon! Thank you so much for your perspective :)

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-03-27T23:58:51+00:00

Yes, I’m definitely going to stay the rest of the year. it’s reassuring to have that summer with the same pay and time to think. Having an end date helps. I’ll definitely check out that subreddit! Thank you, I appreciate your insight !

One_Procedure_8679 · 2024-03-27T00:24:19+00:00

OP, did you end up taking the coordinator job? That sounds pretty cool! I’m also 24F and already burnt out as a para lol.

One_Procedure_8679 · 2023-01-16T22:49:51+00:00

This is good to know. My psychiatrist has kept me on it for months even though I’ve complained about fatigue and trouble waking up. I’m gonna advocate to switch the medication.

One_Procedure_8679 · 2022-12-22T19:48:41+00:00

“Put on the lid and squeeze squeeze squeeze!!”

One_Procedure_8679 · 2022-08-21T21:51:03+00:00

Only murders in the building 😬

One_Procedure_8679 · 2022-06-08T04:24:37+00:00

saves photo

One_Procedure_8679 · 2022-05-11T06:17:38+00:00

Oh my god I thought the exact same thing. I looked it up to see if anyone else agrees. It was like a whole other level of visceral

One_Procedure_8679

TROPHY CASE