Attn: KS High School Teachers...looking for career info.
 

I am looking for what additional education/certifications I would need to teach in a High School.

-My Background-

+Bachelors in Architectural Studies.
+Masters in Landscape Architecture [Graduated May 2010]

I have asked a similar question in the past about instructing at a college level and received great feedback. Thank you again. I am now curious what it would take to teach at a High School level.

With my degrees coupled with professional experience, I would ideally like to teach a computer technology class, specifically "Manual Drafting & CAD."


With my above credentials...what additional experience do I need to teach in the state of Kansas?

Do I need to take more classes...how many, how long do they take, etc.?

Recommendations on where to take classes? [Ideally around Johnson County, KS]

Is there a teacher certification exam to take?

I have been wanting to get into teaching, but am not sure which level of education would be best for me to teach.


Thank you in advance....and Jamaal needs more carries.

Duuude you are killing me man. I'm trying to get a masters in architecture and you're looking for a hs teaching job? What hope do I have coming out with an M.arch degree?

LOL.

I'm not going to sugar-coat it for you. It is tough...here [KS] at least. Most offices have cut their design teams down by 50-70%. Architects are doing Civil Engineering work....Civil Engineers are doing Architects work...etc. And if there is an excess amount of work in the office, it is contracted out...

That is what I have been doing. I work under contracts per projects. Some months I am REAL busy pulling 60 hours a week easily...some months I will go weeks without work.

The good news is that it seems that offices are no longer letting their architects/engineers go...things have leveled out. I have worked on projects under contract with firms whom have told me they will hire me full-time once their "hiring freeze" is lifted.

In the end...I really enjoy it, but truthfully...I love school and have always known that 'someday' I would teach in some fashion, I just never knew 'When' that time would come.

My advice for you, get every certification you can...CAD...LEED...SSI...etc. Make sure you stand out amongst your peers, sounds obvious but you will see the truth to it when you find yourself applying for the same jobs a year post-graduate.

Network now. Call up local Arch/Eng. Offices and tell them you are a grad student and if it is possible to take 30 minutes of their time to check out their office and see current projects they are working on. Most offices will not hesitate to show you around...

...I graduated in 2010, when firms were closing shop. I still found work.

You will do fine...you just have to get off your ass and get it. Not everything is posted on monster.com. Knock on doors, shake hands, and smile.

Good luck!

Are you heavily saddled with student loans?

More than I want...yes.

I would seriously consider government service, either AmeriCorps or the military. 3 years, get your student loans paid off, get a chance to work in your field. With a masters you should easily make captain and get queued up to make major.

If you do it right, you can get your clearance and get involved in some pretty cool stuff with better than average job security. And a retirement package most people would sacrifice a limb for.

I appreciate the input...

Just out of school, bought a house, have an 18 month old son...so it would be tough for me to leave for the military or AmeriCorps...plus I know I am too old for the military. ;)

Government Jobs are great...if you can find one. :)

But again, thanks for the input boss!

Didn't know the other side of it. Yeah, that life is nice for the single guys, but it can be hard on a family. Good luck to you.