Career Quiz: Should You Become a Teacher?

Do You Have What It Takes to Be an Educator?

A science teacher with two students — ••• A science teacher explains an experiment to his students. Cavan Images / Digital Vision / Getty Images

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay

Updated February 24, 2017

1. Your grandfather asked you to show him how to play your favorite video game. How did it go?

Very well. It took a while but now we have something to do together when he visits.
Wow! That was so hard. I tried to stick with it, but I don't think he got it.
Pretty well. I was eventually able to explain all the rules and I think he got it.
Oh brother! I gave up after about 15 minutes.

2. You have an interesting story to share with your family. You...

...start telling the story, notice the blank looks and stop. I guess you had to be there.
...tell them the story but have trouble figuring out which details are important.
...quickly tell them the story, share a couple of details, and hope they got the gist of it.
...happily tell them the story, providing all the important details. They really enjoyed it.

3. Your Aunt Gerty sits next to you at a holiday dinner and starts telling you about her college years. What do you do?

I listen to her story, but snippets of other conversations threaten to grab my attention.
I turn my chair toward hers so can fully pay attention to every word.
I think about my weekend plans as Aunt Gerty keeps talking. It's not like there's going to be a test.
I listen and catch bits of what Aunt Gerty says. I check my phone periodically.

4. Your teacher assigns a paper that's not due until two months from now. What will you do next?

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I plan to start thinking about a topic in a few weeks. We'll see what happens after that.
Why bother thinking about something that isn't due for two months?
I will choose a topic and write a to-do list of what things I have to complete each week until the paper is due.
I will start thinking about my topic. Once I choose one, I plan to start working on my paper soon.

5. You are preparing to vote in an election. How do you decide who to vote for?

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I listen to the candidates debate and then make a decision.
I pay attention to the campaign ads so I can decide who I like most and least.
I will vote for the candidate I would most like to hang out with.
I learn about each candidate's platform before deciding which one I agree with on the most issues.

6. You want to go to your favorite band's concert, but tickets are very expensive. What do you do?

I will dip into my savings account.
I plan to ask for more hours at my job. If that doesn't work, I will try to see the band next time they're in town.
I will ask my boss for more hours. If she says "no", I can try to find some additional work elsewhere.
I will ask my parents to buy the tickets for me.

7. Your neighbor's cat is hanging around her front door. He looks like he hasn't eaten in a while. How do you react?

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Uh oh! Something may have happened to my neighbor. She would never forget to feed Mittens.
Maybe I'll check on Mittens later.
I better feed Mittens.
Hello Mittens! Have you been on a diet?

8. Choose your ideal house:

9. Are you willing to earn a bachelor's degree, pass a written exam and, depending on your state, get a master's degree?

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Definitely
Probably
Probably not
Definitely not

10. You want to be a teacher because...

You want to leave work at 3 pm and have your summers off. You are looking forward to having lots of free time.
You love working with children. You won't even mind grading their work after school. Summers off are a plus.
Summers off and working until 3 pm sound good. You're willing to grade homework and tests after school 2-3 days a week.
Summers off and days that end at 3 pm! You will grade homework and tests after school occasionally if you must.

Career Quiz: Should You Become a Teacher?

You got: Don't Become a Teacher

You would be so much happier if you chose a different career. Teaching just isn't right for you. Your answers indicate that you don't have enough of the qualities you need to be an effective teacher: strong listening, verbal communication, time management and critical thinking skills, and resourcefulness. In addition, you may not be willing to fulfill all the educational requirements. There is also little chance you would enjoy working as a teacher and it's very important to like what you do for a living.

Don't worry though. You have other soft skills and you can find a way to use them to succeed in a variety of careers. Your job right now is to figure out what soft skills you have, how much education you are willing to get and what your desired salary is. Then choose a career that is right for you.

Career Quiz: Should You Become a Teacher?

You got: Teaching Probably Isn't a Good Career Choice for Me

Your answers indicate you may not have all the qualities that would make you a good teacher. Other careers would be a better fit for someone with your strengths. Teachers need strong verbal communication, listening and critical thinking skills. They must be resourceful and patient and have excellent time management skills.

You must be willing to fulfill the educational requirements of this occupation, namely earning a bachelor's degree and possibly a master's degree, or you won't be able to get a job. A teacher's salary may be lower than you would like. While you may find the work schedule appealing—who wouldn't like to work until 3 pm and have summers off—you may not want to take work home, as teachers often do.

There are a lot of careers out there. You will find one that is perfect for you. Look for a career that suits your strengths and make sure you are willing to fulfill all the job requirements.

Career Quiz: Should You Become a Teacher?

You got: Teaching Might Be a Good Career Choice for Me

While your answers indicate you have most of the strengths teachers need, you are missing some. They need excellent verbal communication and listening skills. Strong time management skills, patience and persistence are essential.

Teachers must be able to recognize problems that students don't report. Excellent critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills are also required. They must be resourceful. If you find you are lacking any of these qualities, you will have to acquire them.

You may not be willing to fulfill all the educational requirements for this occupation including earning a bachelor's degree and possibly a master's degree. Teachers don't make a lot of money. Although the relatively short school days and long summer vacations may appeal to you, spending your evenings grading tests and papers may not. Think about whether you would be happier in a career with different requirements and higher pay.

Career Quiz: Should You Become a Teacher?

You got: Born to Be a Teacher

You seem to have all, or at least, most of the qualities that will make you a great teacher. Among these qualities are excellent speaking and listening skills, as well as the ability to instruct people. Strong time management is also crucial since teachers have a lot to do each day.

Teachers must be patient, which is what kids need when they are trying to learn difficult topics. They should be able to recognize a problem exists even if children don't necessarily report it. Excellent critical thinking will allow you to solve those problems. Teachers must be resourceful when trying to think of innovative ways to get their point across to students.

They have to fulfill certain educational requirements which always includes earning a bachelor's degree and may mean having to get a master's degree as well. Teachers' earnings aren't very high, and they often have work to do in addition to the hours of the typical school day.