by Ron Chilluffo
I spent thirty-some years in my first career (electronics engineer). Although that career was interesting and challenging in the beginning, it became less so as the years passed. I knew something was wrong when, in my 30s, I began counting the days until retirement. I then realized that I was in the wrong profession and decided that I wanted to make a change. Since mathematics was the most interesting part of my engineering education, I decided that I would pursue a career involving mathematics. In addition, I thoroughly enjoyed teaching young engineers at my various places of engineering employment. Hence, I decided to combine the two interests and become a math educator.
Since I still had young children to support, I delayed the career-change for another decade. However, I started taking graduate math courses to prepare me for the future career-change. After my youngest child graduated from college, I made the change. I started teaching math as an adjunct (part-time) at various colleges and universities – bringing a big shock to the family income. After several years of adjunct teaching, I was hired as a full-time math instructor at UWG. I teach both face-to-face and online courses. Although I thoroughly enjoy both, I particularly like the flexibility that online education provides. Therefore, I started teaching adjunct online math at other USG institutions.
I am happy to report that I no longer count the days until retirement. Although I will retire when I must, I hope to continue teaching as an online adjunct. My message to anyone contemplating a career-change is to follow that old adage – “If you do what you love, you’ll never have to work a day in your life!”
Ron Chilluffo is a math instructor.
