Ask Micki: How to answer a rude, nosey question?

Question: Hi, Micki, I just came back from a family dinner, and I had a family member (he's kind of our family's resident bully) ask me, "So, when are you going to get a traditional, real job?"  Ouch.

Tutoring is a real job - it is my chosen career.  A career that I love.  

I was offended and, even though I said that I *did* have a "real job," I wish I could have said more to defend myself.  The truth is, I was hurt and flustered from what felt like a criticism of my career choice.  


Any ideas what I can say the next time I have someone ask me about my tutoring career?
Thanks,
Anonymous

Answer: Hi, there, Anonymous.  First of all, I am really sorry that you had to go through that.  Family members, well meaning or otherwise, often say some pretty off the wall things that have the potential to be really hurtful. 

The good news is - you were completely right!  

Tutoring is, indeed, a career choice (just like someone choosing to be an investment banker, artist, musician, coach, teacher, etc.).

When I was in high school I knew, without a doubt, that I wanted to be a tutor.  It was fun helping the other students out, I made some extra money, and  I improved my own grades by brushing up on the material.  


Thirty years later that excitement about tutoring hasn't waned - it is still a fantastic career!


As for the "traditional" job part - what could be more traditional than tutoring?  It was the only method of teaching back in ancient times.  That's pretty traditional if you ask me!

Getting back to the modern era...To be a tutor, a person must have a passion for learning, dedication to career development, the ability to be patient, an enthusiasm for academic material, and the ability to listen and lead a discussion.  It is, in essence, teaching on a much more personal, one-on-one level.


Tutoring is rewarding, too, on every level - including the financial level.  Anyone who defines a "successful" career as one that pays well (I won't even get into how I feel about that :-) , will be pleased to know that dedicated, driven tutors bring in a very good salary.   

In fact, like many freelance style careers, the earning potential of tutoring is unlimited!   A yearly salary comparable to other (more "traditional") professions is the norm.

Even better, during both a recession and times of prosperity, freelancers continue to stay ahead of the curve with job security.   I never had to worry about getting laid off, since I was not about to lay off myself! :-)  

All joking aside, I had a few clients drop off for a while, but the overall job stability and income level stayed pretty constant throughout the bumpy economy.  


Most importantly, if you love what you do, and you love to tutor - embrace it, and be proud of what you do!

As always - happy tutoring! 

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Photo credit: ba1969 ©
http://www.sxc.hu/profile/ba1969

Ask Micki: Bad Time to Start a Tutoring Business?

Question: Hi, Micki.  I have a question that started out as a friendly debate between my friend and me.

I really want to start a home-based tutoring business.  It has actually been a dream of mine for quite a few years, and I am finally in a position to start it.  My friend, on the other hand, thinks that it is a terrible time to start a tutoring business, and thinks I should wait another year. 

What do you think?
Thanks!
Jeffrey S., LA

Answer:  The short answer to your question is: Yes! It is always a great time to start a tutoring business, either online or in-person.  Whether the economy is good or not so good, freelance tutoring always does well. 

In terms of tutoring as a career choice, it is a rewarding path to take.  Tutoring (online or in-person) is a great home business to start, because you get to help tutees achieve their learning goals and work hours that are convenient for you.

In terms of business and finance, tutoring is an excellent business to establish because of the low start up costs, low overhead costs, and ease of advertising your tutoring services.  Besides learning the basics of good tutoring, you will also need a passion for the profession, and some general office supplies.

In short, I say, "go for it!" The economy may not always be good, but if you pursue your dream of beginning a tutoring business (and really put in 100%) you will undoubtedly be successful.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!

Ask Micki: Tutee who won't pay

Question: Hi, Micki. I've been tutoring a high school student who had been failing his French class. Although I was very clear with his parents that I could not guarantee that he would achieve the B grade the wanted him to get, but now that the class is over and he got a C, they don't want to pay me. What do I do?

Answer: Sorry to hear about the recent payment recent problems with your tutee. Unfortunately I had the same thing happen to me about 10 years ago, and this is how I handled it. I was contacted by a set of parents, to help their daughter, we'll call her Christine, in her Writing class. Much like your own tutee, she was failing, and she needed to pass in order to maintain her GPA and stay on the Volleyball team.

With only a month left in the semester, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Christine was an eager tutee, and we managed to bring her grade up to passing (she just missed getting a B). I was very happy for her, but when I sent the bill, her parents said that they would pay me half of my usual rate, since Christine had been put on probation with her Volleyball team.

I arranged to meet with them, and we talked through the problem in person. After a lot of negotiation, they agreed to pay the full amount, and agreed to take Christine on for tutoring the next semester, so she didn't fall behind so badly.

It was this experience that taught me to use tutoring contracts whenever I take on a new tutee, so that they have a very clear idea of what they can expect from our tutoring sessions, as well as the outcome they can expect.

Another quick tip for you - arrange a payment schedule with your tutee (or the responsible party), and be sure to get written confirmation of your hours each time you tutor. The tutoring log is a similar to what I've always used, since it has the tutee's initials on each line next to the date, start, and stop times. It didn't help in the situation I had with Christine, since her issue was about the grade, but it has helped in other cases, when tutees disputed the hours.

Good luck and, as always, happy tutoring!