When "to be of service" turns out to be poison
Navigating martyrdom and working in the public sector
After five years, I left the two-year community college space and began working at a four-year university.
I think on the outside, it doesn’t seem that different. Higher education is higher education. The public sector factor remains. Even my state retirement benefits remain the same.
But when I turned in my notice it felt like I was giving up on public education and I was being selfish for choosing my own ambitions, mental health, and familial obligations over working at a two-year. The message that I don’t really care about students doesn’t have to be vocalized because that’s what has been heavily implied for years.
Because we are a family.
Because we are in this together.
Because we are here to “be of service” to our community.
So if you leave, you don’t care about students or the people you work with.
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