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[dreamsailor]

 I've been feeling kind of depressed in the past some years. Part of it is that I feel lost-- about my identity, about what I can or want to do with this life or this world, about my position in this society. Another part is because I feel  I'm knowing about more and more about less and less, and, using Dr. Liz Coleman's words, our college education is "more likely to generate a learned helplessness than a sense of empowerment".

I've been publishing and giving talks. But each time when I was asked to provide a "bio", I got a bit upset-- I don't really have an affiliation. I'm just an unemployed PhD Mom. I've been thinking of resuming job searching this fall, but from time to time, I question whether a "job" will make me happy. I feel I don't really fit in the box. I CAN do my job well, but I'm not sure a conventional career will make me feel fulfilling.

I did some soul searching. I realized what I most want is just to help students-- help them know and love themselves, fulfill their life and academic goal, and help them realize how they should nurture their body, mind and soul.

I've heard American and international students complain about their lack of study skills for college work.
I've seen an overwhelming number of students and friends being subscribed  antidepressants, which is not exactly constructive.

I especially have a deep concern for the well-being of students in China-- I grew up in China and taught students there and did research on them. They are feeling lost and  their well-being really is a big concern. (Many factors contributing to this-- their lack of a faith system, strong socialization from the parents and socialist institutions; the gloomy employment prospects; the unequal educational and social systems).

I've been having all these concerns, and felt powerless. What can you do to change a society based on money (the US), let alone a society based on both money and power (China)?

Will I make this world a better place by finding a TT or government job? Many academia like to think this way, but I feel I'm losing interest of writing some boring difficult reading knowing only a small handful of people might look at it.

This is what I want to do: Travel around the country and China to give talks/workshops on study methods, well-being, etc. I used to think I need a title/affiliation to qualify me to do this, but that title, such as a professorship,  might bind me to all the job responsibilities. Maybe I can start a non-profit organization. I don't want to make a fortune out of this, nor do I think I will. I don't plant o charge the schools. I just need to figure out a way to support myself.

I'm unemployable because I don't fit in the box and I want more from this life. Have you thought about what you really want to do about your life?

[yumyumdonuts]

What about applying for international student advising positions or even Director of International Admissions? There was a position I saw being advertised that specifically required knowledge of Mandarin.

I myself think some of these international admissions are problematic in that they seem to recruit heavily in China and then leave students to falter once they arrive in the US, but your heart seems to be in the right place to make a positive impact if you enter this field.

Also, I've been digging around the Administrative Track threads and found that the pay is modest for study abroad advising (and highly competitive with some schools receiving 200+ applications). However, seeing how lucrative it is to recruit full-tuition paying Chinese students, the international admissions part of this field may be higher paying than the study abroad arm.

[marigolds]

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

[womanofproperty]

I've been feeling kind of depressed in the past some years. Part of it is that I feel lost-- about my identity, about what I can or want to do with this life or this world, about my position in this society. Another part is because I feel  I'm knowing about more and more about less and less, and, using Dr. Liz Coleman's words, our college education is "more likely to generate a learned helplessness than a sense of empowerment".

I've been publishing and giving talks. But each time when I was asked to provide a "bio", I got a bit upset-- I don't really have an affiliation. I'm just an unemployed PhD Mom. I've been thinking of resuming job searching this fall, but from time to time, I question whether a "job" will make me happy. I feel I don't really fit in the box. I CAN do my job well, but I'm not sure a conventional career will make me feel fulfilling.

I did some soul searching. I realized what I most want is just to help students-- help them know and love themselves, fulfill their life and academic goal, and help them realize how they should nurture their body, mind and soul.

I've heard American and international students complain about their lack of study skills for college work.

. . .

This is what I want to do: Travel around the country and China to give talks/workshops on study methods, well-being, etc. I used to think I need a title/affiliation to qualify me to do this, but that title, such as a professorship,  might bind me to all the job responsibilities. Maybe I can start a non-profit organization. I don't want to make a fortune out of this, nor do I think I will. I don't plant o charge the schools. I just need to figure out a way to support myself.

I'm unemployable because I don't fit in the box and I want more from this life. Have you thought about what you really want to do about your life?

I don't wish to be harsh, OP, but based on your description of yourself, I'm not sure what it is exactly that you have to offer students. Information on study skills? That information is not hard to obtain, it's hard to implement. A workshop won't make much of a dent.

Also: you ever considered that your view of students as clueless, bumbling morons might not be any more accurate than the other view of students that's commonly expressed here (i.e., that they are self-centered, manipulative, entitled and whiny brats).

You don't seem to have a realistic idea of what you yourself are capable of. I think that's what you should work on.

In the meantime, since it seems you don't need to support yourself, you might consider volunteer work if you'd like to make a contribution to society.

[offthemarket]

It sounds like you should go into fundraising for some religious organization. You clearly seem to think that people not having some kind of faith causes personal problems and you are emotional about this. This could translate into raising big bucks with the right kind of sympathetic donors.

[merinoblue]

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

My thought as well.

[tinyzombie]

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

My thought as well.

Sounds to me like OP is still figuring him/herself out, and may not be in a place to advise other people.

Also, what WoP said.

[alleyoxenfree]

Chime to the suggestion that you should begin to volunteer - one-day things, longer term projects - with a variety of groups.

You don't fit the boxes you thought you'd fit.
That makes you feel bad about yourself....some baggage here about why you "should." 
It's just a fact, and a surprise.  Disconcerting.
So you need to try out, systematically, in an extended exploration, a lot of other boxes.

You want to make up your mind before the exploration.
But your brain doesn't work that way - you're not someone who can wake up and say, "I want to be a firefighter."
Own all the things you've accomplished so far and start extending them in forays in different directions, until you find the path that feels like a good fit and that takes advantage of your talents.

[marigolds]

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

My thought as well.

Sounds to me like OP is still figuring him/herself out, and may not be in a place to advise other people.

Also, what WoP said.

Clearly you've never met a life coach.

That profession is rife with irony.

[tinyzombie]

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

My thought as well.

Sounds to me like OP is still figuring him/herself out, and may not be in a place to advise other people.

Also, what WoP said.

Clearly you've never met a life coach.

That profession is rife with irony.

Huh. You're right, I haven't.

I love me some irony, but not when it comes to telling kids what to do with their lives. For that, I prefer my version.

[totoro]

It sounds like you should go into fundraising for some religious organization. You clearly seem to think that people not having some kind of faith causes personal problems and you are emotional about this. This could translate into raising big bucks with the right kind of sympathetic donors.

Actually, I think the lack of a "faith system" combined with rapid economic and social change is a problem in China. The communist party tried hard to destroy traditional society. And then they abandoned the communist system, more or less...

[obprof]

OP, you are clearly not unemployable. Framing your experience that way does not help you to achieve your goals.

That said, in terms of your career path, I am not sure that it would be very feasible for you to travel around in China or the US to help students as a freelancer. However, a lot of large universities have supports in place for their international students, but they need volunteers. For example, many have programs that match "conversation partners" with ESL students, or run workshops on things like study skills (which you are interested in).

Why not contact one of those schools and see how you can help out? Start small, and see if you like it. Then go from there.

[dreamsailor]

Yes international student admission is one major area that would fit me well, either by establishing an agency or joining an International Student office at a university. But it's not on my priority list to help those rich kids coming to the U.S. (Most undergraduate Chinese students are from rich families. Graduate students who recieve scholarships have more diverse backgrounds. )

Many of you really have a sharp eye. Yes I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do and what I can do to have a meaningful life.

And yes I am feeling a bit emotional-- after watching a video which shows a little 2 year old girl being hit by trucks and more than a dozen people passing by without helping out. It's on youtube, but I'm not sure I want to go back to that video and share the link today. It's Chinese new year anyways. 

Totoro is right. The Communists have destroyed the old faith sytems and there's no new faith system support people's daily struggle. The whole society is based on money and power. Many young people feel lost and stressed. My book on this topic is coming out this year.

What about applying for international student advising positions or even Director of International Admissions? There was a position I saw being advertised that specifically required knowledge of Mandarin.

I myself think some of these international admissions are problematic in that they seem to recruit heavily in China and then leave students to falter once they arrive in the US, but your heart seems to be in the right place to make a positive impact if you enter this field.

Also, I've been digging around the Administrative Track threads and found that the pay is modest for study abroad advising (and highly competitive with some schools receiving 200+ applications). However, seeing how lucrative it is to recruit full-tuition paying Chinese students, the international admissions part of this field may be higher paying than the study abroad arm.

[dreamsailor]

Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression about my view of students. Teacher and students are both learners who can learn from each other and actually my classese are very learner-centered. I love my students. In terms of study skills, some freshmen told me they feel underprepared so they are taking study method courses. That's why I'm thinking of giving free workshops or courses in local schools and/or libraries on Inquiry of Methods, Critical Reading, etc. 

As to Chinese students in China, I have a deep concern of their psychological well-being, especially students in poverty areas. They are under many stresses-social and educational inequality, employment problems, high expectations from parents, long school hours and high stakes tests.... Just to name a few. They often have low self-esteem problems. I kept thinking what I can do.

One major obstacle for the plans I talked about is indeed how to support myself and family, and in addition, how to balance the time traveling in China and family time.

 

I've been feeling kind of depressed in the past some years. Part of it is that I feel lost-- about my identity, about what I can or want to do with this life or this world, about my position in this society. Another part is because I feel  I'm knowing about more and more about less and less, and, using Dr. Liz Coleman's words, our college education is "more likely to generate a learned helplessness than a sense of empowerment".

I've been publishing and giving talks. But each time when I was asked to provide a "bio", I got a bit upset-- I don't really have an affiliation. I'm just an unemployed PhD Mom. I've been thinking of resuming job searching this fall, but from time to time, I question whether a "job" will make me happy. I feel I don't really fit in the box. I CAN do my job well, but I'm not sure a conventional career will make me feel fulfilling.

I did some soul searching. I realized what I most want is just to help students-- help them know and love themselves, fulfill their life and academic goal, and help them realize how they should nurture their body, mind and soul.

I've heard American and international students complain about their lack of study skills for college work.

. . .

This is what I want to do: Travel around the country and China to give talks/workshops on study methods, well-being, etc. I used to think I need a title/affiliation to qualify me to do this, but that title, such as a professorship,  might bind me to all the job responsibilities. Maybe I can start a non-profit organization. I don't want to make a fortune out of this, nor do I think I will. I don't plant o charge the schools. I just need to figure out a way to support myself.

I'm unemployable because I don't fit in the box and I want more from this life. Have you thought about what you really want to do about your life?

I don't wish to be harsh, OP, but based on your description of yourself, I'm not sure what it is exactly that you have to offer students. Information on study skills? That information is not hard to obtain, it's hard to implement. A workshop won't make much of a dent.

Also: you ever considered that your view of students as clueless, bumbling morons might not be any more accurate than the other view of students that's commonly expressed here (i.e., that they are self-centered, manipulative, entitled and whiny brats).

You don't seem to have a realistic idea of what you yourself are capable of. I think that's what you should work on.

In the meantime, since it seems you don't need to support yourself, you might consider volunteer work if you'd like to make a contribution to society.

[dreamsailor]

 I don't know much about that profession.
Would you like to share your experience?

Sounds to me like you want to be a life coach.

My thought as well.

Sounds to me like OP is still figuring him/herself out, and may not be in a place to advise other people.

Also, what WoP said.

Clearly you've never met a life coach.

That profession is rife with irony.