Being a lecturer one day.

[Steel Maiden]

Do you think that if I were to work really hard on my issues and challenges, that I could initially get into PhD / postdoctoral research for a while, but eventually do lecturing?

Someone I know said I'd be a good lecturer if I worked on my communication issues. Besides I wouldn't be able to do just research forever.

[chinahorse]

I agree you'd have to work on some of your greater communication problems and meltdowns but theres nothing to say you couldn't be a lecturer if thats what you wanted to do.

[sherlock holmes]

I don't see why not.

Would being a tutor with the Open University be easier? With the OU you only see your students once or so a month for a lecture/tutorial etc, the rest of communication is over email and the phone. I imagine that might be easier to handle than having to teach classes every day at a large uni with lots of student contact, large numbers of people and so on.

[Steel Maiden]

Thanks everyone.

This is a preliminary idea of course. I'm not going into any quick decisions. Just trying to see what is available.

I don't want to let my disabilities overrule me and hold me back. If I have a challenge to work to, then I am more likely to overcome my difficulties.

I understand that funding is tough and that I'd be fortunate to get anything. I just think academia is a better job for me. My care coordinator thinks research would suit me. My support worker thinks lecturing is something to aim for.

[Steel Maiden]

Tbh maybe doing research forever would make more sense.

Although being an OU tutor for a bit sounds like it could work.

I am just very strongly inclined towards academia.

[consequential]

It would also depend on your grades. Only a few people out of hundreds here get accepted into PhD's after their MA. I know it is much easier in England though. You'd still want to be averaging a high 2.1 easily without stress. You would have to tutor small classes too as part of the progamme. I suppose I'm not much use as I don't know your system.
How are your oral presentations? Could you stand up in front of 300 people and talk for an hour? Have you tutored students yet?

[Steel Maiden]

I have actually stood in front of 700 people and spoken, but not for a whole hour. I only did it twice and it was challenging.

I am not 100% sure about lecturing. I just feel that it would be a challenge worth doing, a goal to reach for.

However if lecturing won't work then I'm happy with the idea of research for my career.

Tiptoes, I like the idea of trying small groups first.

I really would need to work on my sensory issues though, as they've been classed as severe. I'm not sure how I'd work on sensory issues and that worries me.

[sherlock holmes]

Have you heard of SMART goals? I think it could help you to create some and that way you know exactly what to work towards and how you know if you'll achieve it.

http://topachievement.com/smart.html

SMART goals have to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Maybe an early goal would be to walk to the end of your road and back three times a week until you feel 50% less anxious doing it. Or something like that?

[Steel Maiden]

^ that's a really good idea. I'll mention this to my support worker as well. I think walking down to the end of my road and back will be a good start. Then I could do walking in the park alone.