Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Providing value through teaching literature...

sheffy4 · 02-08-2009, 06:37 PM

Hello forum-ites,

The question of providing value is one that I come back to often. My current career goal for myself is to get my masters degree in literature (not sure what I want to specialize in exactly yet), and teach literature and writing courses at a university.
I ask myself, what value does literature have for people and society, and how would I be providing value by teaching and discussing it with my students and colleagues? And my answer is usually something like, well, literature teaches us about life's truths, gives us insight into ourselves and others, provides pleasure and "escape" from the daily grind, and sometimes assists in social change by bringing to light important issues.

But then, I wonder if that's really enough, and if I'm not deluding myself, and maybe being selfish by wanting to have such a "cushy" career. If I want to teach, why not teach a more concrete skill.
I feel like if I end up teaching at a university, that I should have side projects that provide more concrete value to balance it out. I don't know... even as I type this I can argue with all of my own points, but maybe I would just like some insight from you. How do you all grapple with this idea of providing value?
I know everyone and everything has it's place.... but I keep having these doubts and debates with myself. How can I be happy once and for all with the value that I do provide?

02-08-2009, 06:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
sheffy4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 337	Providing value through teaching literature... Hello forum-ites, The question of providing value is one that I come back to often. My current career goal for myself is to get my masters degree in literature (not sure what I want to specialize in exactly yet), and teach literature and writing courses at a university. I ask myself, what value does literature have for people and society, and how would I be providing value by teaching and discussing it with my students and colleagues? And my answer is usually something like, well, literature teaches us about life's truths, gives us insight into ourselves and others, provides pleasure and "escape" from the daily grind, and sometimes assists in social change by bringing to light important issues. But then, I wonder if that's really enough, and if I'm not deluding myself, and maybe being selfish by wanting to have such a "cushy" career. If I want to teach, why not teach a more concrete skill. I feel like if I end up teaching at a university, that I should have side projects that provide more concrete value to balance it out. I don't know... even as I type this I can argue with all of my own points, but maybe I would just like some insight from you. How do you all grapple with this idea of providing value? I know everyone and everything has it's place.... but I keep having these doubts and debates with myself. How can I be happy once and for all with the value that I do provide?