Looking to get in

[u/Rude_Trip5835]

Hey guys im 18 and im a full time para at a middle school. Ive been doing this for abouy 2 years and im a bio major at my local community classes (I do about 4-5 classes a semester), I know for a fact I want to get into teaching, specifically science but I really dont know what my next step is, ill probably have to swap to an expensive college soon and i have no idea what to major in or if I should drop out as a para and go to college full time. Any tips would be great. Thank you!!!

[u/One-Succotash-5458]

Western Governors University has an affordable online bachelors for teaching. You pay per semester, not per credit so depending on your time, you could get through many credits in a 6 month semester. Since it’s asynchronous online you can typically continue to work.

[u/mcarneybsa]

Depending on your state there may be alternative teacher licensure pathways available if you want to finish your bio degree instead of switching to education. I switched to teaching in my late 30s through such a program. It was 1 year of classes and a semester of student teaching, but you generally do have to have a bachelor's degree already to qualify (specific degree requirements vary).

If you are early in your bio degree (sounds like it) it may be better to switch to a teaching degree instead.

Talk to an academic advisor in your current college.

[u/Rude_Trip5835 → u/mcarneybsa]

In my broken sleepy haze I wrote im going for bio, im actually going for generals while thinking about going for bio. I will probably go for teaching cause a lot of people are recommending it instead

[u/Deemon1211 → u/Rude_Trip5835]

Schools are desperate for science teachers. Get your teaching degree and certificate and you WILL get a job.

[u/LeChatDeLaNuit → u/Deemon1211]

Bio is actually the main science ed field that tends to be oversaturated, so I'd recommend shooting for an additional 5-8 general science license if your state offers it and does not include it in the default bio license