<prompt> Human: Hi!I recently finished an MA in History. Ive always loved history and teaching is a passion for me, but Im beginning to become disheartened. I recently secured an adjunct teaching gig and will make 8k this semester before taxes and 5k next semester before taxes. From what I understand, this is par for the course or even good for adjuncts, but it seems incredibly disheartening and depressing. After taxes Im at or below the poverty line. I would take another job, but I am always exhausted after working long hours. The demands of lesson planning, researching, grading, and lecturing is quite substantial. Does anyone have any idea if this ever gets better? I dont have student loans and have considered going for Ph.D., but there is a Ph.D. who is my adjunct coworker making just as little as I am!If you were me, what would you do? I love teaching, but Im worried that my field and skills will only translate to a barely-livable wage. Im 26, if that helps!  <response>: There is one reasonable career track that utilizes your skillset: middlehigh school history teacher. University professor is a pipe dream. The large majority of humanities PhDs end up like your adjunct coworker.If teaching high school is not what you want to do, then you should start looking for career options outside academia. Fortunately, you dont have a PhD, so your resume doesnt raise as many red flags as a washed out PhD would when applying for unrelated jobs. Have you ever worked outside academia? I think youre getting a little one tracked here. 