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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I could do this job?

20 replies

isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:03

Have name changed. I have been invited to apply for a lecturer job at a college I previously studied at. I'd love to do it but I am worried I will regret it, and go on to get anxious and sick about it. I have quite a lot of experience of public speaking and have been fine, but I always feel nervous beforehand, and a great sense of releif and achievement afterwards - not sure I could maintain this state as a full time job, iyswim! I also blush but have learnt to cope with this by ignoring it (I am 34 now and have always had this 'foible'). I have a hitory of anxiety and panic attacks but have been fine for years, always anxious they'll return though! Do you think I'll get used to the job or are lecturer types born not made? Anyone any experience of this? Many thanks.

OP posts:
Lapsedrunner · 06/12/2009 21:05

Go for it, you never know until you try

msrisotto · 06/12/2009 21:07

Well the theory is that you can't be permanently scared so you must deal with it eventually!!

Original poster
isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:09

or break

OP posts:
purplehat · 06/12/2009 21:09

If you've been invited to apply then they obviously think that you could do the job, and do it well.

I say go for it- 9/10ths of the job of a lecturer is good communication and building effective and positive relationships with students. Once you have got to know them and feel settled the nervousness will probably reduce.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on

Jamieandhismagictorch · 06/12/2009 21:11

Having read the excellent "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway" (recommended), I think that you should apply.

There are no such things as mistakes, only learning opportunities ......

I do know about feeling anxious about feeling anxious, but the only real way to conquer this is to face it head on.

Original poster
isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:20

They must think I can do it, I know. And I know I can but I don't want to get in a state about it every morning for the rest of my working life, feeling sick over brekkie and the like! However, I would love to do this as a career and don't want to be put off by my scaredy-cat-ness. I will read the book.

OP posts:
Lauriefairyonthetreeeatscake · 06/12/2009 21:22

I'm a 'lecturer' in an FE college. There is very little 'lecturing' or standing at the front and talking - it's all group exercises and videos and chat.

What are you teaching?

ABetaDad · 06/12/2009 21:23

Lecturing is not really like making a one off speech in front of strangers.

I used to do a lot of both lecturing and public speaking and always found lecturing was more like a conversation. I used to make it a two way interactive dialogue, encourage lots of questions and if they don't come just ask the audience a question yourself.

I promise you, the more you do it the more you will feel like 'well whats the big deal?'.

Go for it and good luck.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 06/12/2009 21:28

isitforme - just wondering if you ever had any help for your anxiety and panic attacks ? I have also experienced panic attacks, so I know how terrible they are, and the fear of feeling like that again. If you can identify specifically what was going on at that time of your life, and how you could ameliorate the stress - that might help. CBT can be very helpful for anxiety states - might be helpful to get a book on that too .....

Jamieandhismagictorch · 06/12/2009 21:29

CBT = Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Original poster
isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:34

Thanks, I have heard of CBT. Would my GP refer me, and is it available on the NHS? I am definately up for some long term effort and commitment if it can help me feel more confident about new things.

OP posts:
Original poster
isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:35

I know what was causing it, work related stress at the time ( few yeasr ago now, pre-baby, no longer in job)

OP posts:
corriefan · 06/12/2009 21:41

I used to have a really big problem with blushing. It got so awful I'd even blush at the of speaking to just one person if I didn't know them very well. I sought free counselling at my uni as I was a student and she was dismissive and told me to think up some witty one-liners in preparation for anyone commenting (which was the crux of my fear). This didn't help but obviously I didn't say I wasn't capable of doing that and just nodded and left. I pushed myself to do things and made myself look in the mirror when I was blushing and slowly stopped obsessing. anyway, sorry to go on in such detail. My point is I became a teacher in the end and I was nervous at first with observations and everything but it does get easier with practice. If you've already done some public speaking you'll be fine and you'll get to know the students and it won't feel like presenting. They won't be judging you. I'd definitely go for it.

kalo12 · 06/12/2009 21:44

when i did my teacher training i was always nervous getting up infront of the class. whenever i get a job in a new school i get nervous the first time with each new class, but it's easy peasy now. you will get used to it, and if you don't you can resign

Jamieandhismagictorch · 06/12/2009 21:53

isitforme - CBT is available on the NHS and your GP should be able to refer you to a Clinical Psychologist - there would be a waiting list.

It is sometimes available in GP surgeries in some areas (from a counsellor who is trained in CBT, or a Clin. Psych) - for a limited number of sessions (usually 6). I'd go and have a chat with your GP

Jamieandhismagictorch · 06/12/2009 21:55

Do apply for the job though - I think you'll be fine .....

Original poster
isitforme · 06/12/2009 21:57

Thnak you all of you, exactly what I was hoping for; people who have experienced it and been fine. I am excited now, instead of wishing it had never happenned so I didn't have to think about it

OP posts:
Southwestwhippet · 06/12/2009 22:03

I am very shy and have a completed phobia of public speaking. I used to loathe doing presentations at work and would blush and shake all the way thought, sometimes my heart rate would get so high I would start to stutter as I was gasping for breathe.

I now work as a riding instructor, I stand in the middle of a massive arena and yell advice and instruction to groups of adults and children all day. For some reason, after the initial week or so of finding it stressful, I just settled into it and now I love it. It has done wonders for my confidence in all aspects of life as well.

When you are teaching, people are listening to you because they believe you know more than they do and this is tremendously positive for your self esteem. Plus you rapidly built up a rapport with groups and it is basically just like seeing friends sometimes! Go for it, I bet you will be fine.

poinsettydawg · 06/12/2009 22:17

No job's for life. Even if you hate it after 6 months, you can make plans to apply for other jobs.

WilfSell · 06/12/2009 22:27

Can you do some sessional teaching first to try it out? This might help you work out if it is right for you.

I agree with people here - you CAN and will overcome your nerves if you want to and have the right help and attitude. But I have seen more than one lecturer ruin their mental health over serious anxiety about contact with students. You can develop comfort in front of strangers, with public speaking, with organising a group etc, but it can be difficult for some people to whom extraversion doesn't come naturally. Sorry if that sounds negative - it is not meant to, just to encourage you to explore this option openly and with the right kind of preparation and support.

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