@PsyGuy -
At this point, I don't see getting a science endorsement as a viable option for me. (Multiple reasons - each one I could maybe work with, but together I'm thinking I'm going to pass.) I'll definitely consider it in the future, but probably not in time for it to help me with getting my first job. Hopefully I'll still be able to find a job! At least math is probably less competitive than some other subject areas.

The TA positions that I'm looking at specify that I would actually be working with the teacher to plan and give the lessons, as well as assessing students, assigning work, and supervising students. (I actually just realized the one I'm looking at the most lists the opportunity as middle school teaching, not a teaching assistant. The other one lists it as a TA position, but reading the description, it really does seem like I would learn a lot.) Since I'm leaning away from getting certified in science, it would probably be better than my other summer ideas, anyway.

I'll keep in mind about rural China being better as far as air quality goes. I didn't think about that. Thanks for the tip and all the other information!

@Thames Pirate -
Oh, okay! Yes, I'll be certified to teach any math class that high schoolers can take (including calculus, statistics, etc...). At this point, I'm leaning away from more schooling, mostly because I'm paying for school by myself. While it wouldn't help me get my first job, I'd consider learning another subject area (science, computer science, etc...) once I start making more money. I did look for an IB school, but I didn't find any in my area, although there are a few in my state. Thank you for being so encouraging!

@Teach1010 -
I think I'll get a membership to this site. I was hesitant at first, but I'm starting to think it's worth the fee. I'll also check out ISC! And even though I hear the air is terrible, China's definitely on my bucket list of places to go. If I can't get a job overseas, Alaska would be awesome - I've always wanted to go there, too. Thanks for the information - especially the statistics on the UNI Job Fair - it makes me feel like I have a chance at being able to find a job!

@PsyGuy -
I've thought about picking up a minor in physics, but I honestly don't think I have much wiggle room as it is. My gen eds are basically done, and my schedule is already full. (For instance, this semester I'm taking 17 credits. I'd have to get special permission from the dean of my college to take another class, and I'm going to be working, too.) The only way I can tack on a minor is if I take summer classes, and I think that getting some hands-on experience would be more worthwhile (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). I definitely will look into learning about the IB, though.

The only way I can study abroad is by doing half of my student teaching abroad (7-10 weeks). The first half has to be done in-state in order to meet regulations for becoming a licensed teacher. I'm going to have to ask my advisor about what types of schools they partner with. I was considering working another part-time job to save up for going abroad this and/or next summer, though. I found a program in Ghana that would allow me to basically be a teacher's assistant. If I go twice, I was thinking maybe India the second time, but I haven't really made up my mind yet.

I'll look into learning another language - I might go for Spanish because I took a couple years of it in high school. Or maybe German because I may want to settle down in Switzerland once I get enough experience (if I can - I bet a lot of people want to go to Switzerland). I'll also look into the whole keeping up my teaching certificate thing. I know my state requires the equivalent of 6 credit hours (so like 90 contact hours) every five years to remain certified.

Right now I'm part of a couple education-related clubs and am planning to do Alternative Breaks this year, but I'll look into other clubs, too. I'll probably join something similar to MUN and then maybe teach myself some skill in my spare time that could have some value (programming or robotics or both - I was actually a computer science major for a semester and enjoyed it quite a bit).

I do get work-study, but I'm going to be working as an elementary tutor at an after school program and as a Calculus I tutor for struggling college students.

Thank you for all the information! I guess I don't have to worry about being bored - there seems to be a lot of things I can do to make myself more marketable even as a college student!

@Thames Pirate -
I'm about 99% sure there are no IB schools around here, but if I can afford it, I may do the second half of my student teaching abroad, so I'll have to ask if any of those schools are IB. I'm definitely not rich, but getting certification seem worth the cost, so I'll make it work.

What do you mean when you say get endorsed for higher level math? The only endorsements available in my state for math are grades 5-8 and 7-12. I looked to see if you meant specifically for IB, but I only found information for "teaching and learning" and "leadership practice". Is there a test that I need to take to teacher higher level or certain classes that I need to take? How do teachers qualify to teach higher math?

@muguet -

Haha, that's okay - I only mentioned it briefly and I ended up writing more in my question than I meant to. If all goes as planned, I will be certified to teach math to grades 5-12 (7-12 because of my degree plan, and I'm planning on overlapping that with a middle school math endorsement that covers grades 5-8). I'll definitely make sure to do something worthwhile the next two summers! Thank you!

@muguet -
I actually am in a teacher training program. I'll be getting a bachelor's degree in secondary education (intended to train teachers for upper middle and high school) plus I'm also majoring in math. I volunteered as an elementary school tutor once a week last semester and will be working as both an elementary school tutor and a Calculus I tutor this year. I'm also planning on either working at an academic summer camp as a teacher assistant or volunteering overseas (if I can afford it) as a teacher/teacher assistant during the next two summers.

Basically, I'm sure I want to be a teacher. It's the teaching overseas that's a new idea to me (though the idea is rapidly growing on me). I'm hoping that what I stated above would be sufficient to start teaching abroad at a lower-tier school, but I totally get that all this still isn't the same as being an actual teacher for a few years.

I'm a college student in the US double majoring in math and secondary education. I've just recently learned about international teaching and have been trying to find some information, but it seems to be quite a bit harder to find info on than other career options I've looked into. So I still have quite a few questions, and if anyone could help me out, I'd really appreciate it!

I'd really like to start teaching abroad right after I graduate college. I've heard that most schools require at least two years of experience and ESL experience doesn't really count. What are the chances of a recent graduate finding a job right off the bat? While I have my preferences, I would be willing to work pretty much anywhere around the world (barring health/safety issues) and am okay with working at a lower-tiered school for a few years to get experience. I'm also okay with a low salary as long as it's enough for me to live on.

I'm only a sophomore right now, so I'm also wondering what I can do to make myself seem more competitive while I'm still in school. Should I take online workshops on IB/AP stuff? (At this point I only have a very vague idea on what it is, but I'm definitely willing to put the time in to learn more about it.) Should I spend my summers getting "higher-quality" experience by being a paid teaching assistant at a camp/program in the US or pay to volunteer as a teacher/teaching assistant abroad where I'll get some experience living abroad but probably won't get as much feedback on teaching practices? (This would probably be in a third world country with local students, so not quite the same as what I want to get into, but I'm thinking it still may be relevant to future employers.) Are there any other things that I should do?

Also, while location/school prestige/salary isn't a big deal to me for my first few years, I would very much like to live on my own. I found a school in Honduras that looks like they might accept someone like me after I graduate, but two teachers share an apartment. I would have no problem living in a small efficiency apartment or somewhere similar, however. Is it normal for schools who offer housing to require single teachers to live together, or do most offer singles their own apartment?