I've sauced wings at 3 a.m. to serve to drunken college students. I thought I could get rich doing that but things didn't quite work out the way I had planned. I've stared at a computer screen, trying to figure out a way to fit a 20-inch story into a 10-inch space.

And now I'm on to career No. 3. Copy editor to restaurant owner to...teacher?

I still don't know whether I'm supposed to be a teacher. Do you ever know? But I'm sure going to give it all I've got.

I'm not afraid of the hard work and long hours that will be required of me. In fact, I know all about hard work. My brother, Brian, and I opened Wing Zone - a chicken wing restaurant in State College, Pa. - back in March 2001. At the time I wasn't sure whether I had what it took to operate my own business. So many responsibilities. And I'd have to work 70-80 hours a week the first few months.

Now almost three years later Wing Zone State College is the third most profitable store - out of more than 50 - in the country. I don't see why I can't be just as successful as a teacher.

CAREER NO. 1

Ever since eighth grade I've wanted to work for a newspaper in some capacity. Copy editor, reporter...I didn't care. I got my first taste of the business in high school, when I joined the newspaper staff. Reporter, photo editor, sports editor. Then at the University of Florida I majored in journalism while working for the college newspaper.

Journalism, at the time, was all I had ever known. So back in 2000 when I realized that I was growing tired of the newspaper business I got a little bit scared. If I got out, what would I do?

I decided to re-evaluate what I really wanted out of life. I considered a lot of things. Moving to Europe to teach. Going back to school to get my Master's in education while still working. In the end I decided to go into business with my brother.

Like a lot of people, I wanted to get rich. It's funny how people change as they get older. I'd still like to make a lot of money, though I know that won't happen as a teacher. What I really want to do now is have an impact on young people. I'm still passionate about journalism. But now instead of being in the middle of the publishing process as a copy editor I'd like to influence the minds of aspiring journalists as a teacher.

I'd like to think that I've seen a lot in my seven years as a journalist. I was once bribed - unsuccessfully I might add -- by a car dealer to write a favorable review of a new automobile. I've covered car wrecks, drownings, city hall meetings. I've written stories about ducks stuck in sewers, planes flying too closely to retirement communities and amateur athletes trying to make it professionally.

I've been stuck on the copy desk with eight pages to design and only one other person helping me. I've had eight minutes to proof a game story that was written on deadline, write a headline and cutline, make it fit into the space allotted, and then print the page to film. I've been yelled at, pushed and cursed at.

But I loved every minute of it. Now I'm hoping that some of that passion for journalism rubs off on those high school students who happen to enroll in Journalism I with Mr. Cooper.

CAREER NO. 3

I got my first taste of teaching in 2002.

I had just gotten out of the restaurant business and had no idea what I wanted to do with the third chapter of my life. So I began substitute teaching. At the time it was a good way to make some extra money. I never thought I would enjoy teaching or want to do it for the rest of my life.

But here I am..on the verge of another dream. I've been a sub now for almost six months. And of course I've been to some pretty bad schools. But I've survived, and of course I've learned.

What have I learned as a sub? Well...

- Never think that a class will get quiet if you turn the lights out. It doesn't work (I won't tell you exactly what happened but I will say that things got a little crazy).

- Never bribe students with money to get them quiet. It works, but not only could you go broke, but you could get sued by the school district if anyone finds out. I learned this firsthand.

- Don't think that standing in front of a class and asking them to get quiet will actually get them quiet. In fact, the best way to get students quiet is to get them on task quickly. They will get busy with the assignment and won't have time to make noise.

- Don't think that your experiences as a substitute will be anything like your experiences as a full-time teacher. As a sub I'm often in 'survival' mode. 'Survival' mode? Well, I'm just trying to make sure that no one walks out of class and that no one fights. And if that takes bribing them with candy, then so be it.

- Take every sub job offered - no matter the grade, subject or distance from you -- so you can find the schools you like. Then when you find a school you like, ask to be added to the school's preferred sub list or see if the school needs a long-term sub.

- Keep all receipts showing where and when you worked. I had only been subbing for a few weeks when I realized that one of the schools where I worked failed to pay me.

- Always remember to leave detailed evaluations of anything and everything that happens with your class. No detail is too small.

- Talk to a teacher near you before class begins. They could be a good resource in the event of a fire drill, a disruptive student, etc.

- Let the way you speak be an example to students. Don't be negative to them and don't use slang.

- Dress the part of the teacher even if you don't feel too comfortable in your abilities. If students think that you look like a teacher, then they'll treat you like a teacher.

- Try to limit the number of personal questions you let students ask. They often like to change the subject toward you while you are in the middle of a lesson. Simply say "We will discuss that at the end of class if time permits," or "That does not pertain to today's lesson."

- Limit restroom passes to emergencies.

- Greet the students as they enter class. This gives them the subtle hint that this is your classroom now and that they need to be prepared to learn. It also gets class off on a positive note.

- Go over what you expect from the class and let them know that there will be consequences for inappropriate behavior. If the rules aren't posted in class, then make up your own.

Again, these are just things I've learned. They seem to work for me. I've been to a few classes that teach you how to be a better substitute. And I've also read a few books. But no one has ever told me that there was one right way to teach. I guess I'll start learning for real in August 2004 when I finally get a class of my own.

Read the results of Mark's search for a teaching job in 2004!

Mark Cooper is currently a security officer at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. He hopes to teach journalism in 2004-2005 once he gets certified in English.