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Transitioning from a Teaching Career
As an experienced Master’s level (4.0) teacher with two separate teaching licenses (English & Reading Specialist) , what other avenues are open to me career-wise? I am highly skilled but looking to transition out of the classroom, even if the options are only to stay in education but in a different position. I’m also open to working in a completely different type of career, but I’m not even sure where to get started. I know I would be a valuable asset to some education business, corporation that could utilize my coaching or human-resources type management, or...something else entirely. I’m smart, organized, efficient, and can manage people well. Who could use these skills but pay me a fair paycheck worth my degrees?
I am not desperate, just curious. Any tips on how to best research careers for transitioning from teaching to new areas? I’m not afraid of further training, but I’d like to make careful choices before signing up for more classes (like many, I’m still in student loan debt for my Master’s degree).
Advice for next steps?
-career counselor?
-networking?
-training courses ?
-careers that would be a good fit?
Thank you!
Helen Hanison
Helen Hanison's Leadership Coaching
436
11/12/19 at 7:31PM UTC
I think HannahRP makes some really valid points. And I would add it's important to follow your curiosity with intent so you don't leave teaching, but rather make a plan that realigns work you love with the life you wish you were living.
I know in my coaching, this would start with you. How would any of us realign what we do unless we understood - deeply - what matters to us the most. It sounds to me that's the clarity you need before anything else.
I'll attach an article I wrote for my own audience. This would form one of the first stages of clarity I support career changes with.
https://www.helenhanison.com/news/the-3-most-important-things-you-dont-know-about-you-any-more/
Do let me know if you'd like to know more about how to go build on these insights and apply the learnings to yourself.
Warmly, Helen
HannahRPhigher ed/ non-profit consultant
42
11/12/19 at 2:48PM UTC
Hi! As a former teacher here, I made the transition into Education Consulting, but had explored other career paths as well. Harness your strong management skills and your creative adaptability to look for something that will be equally as fulfilling as teaching will be.
I will say that the most challenging piece here is to make sure the work you end up in as fulfilling/emotionally sustaining as teaching was. When you move from direct service into something more hands-off or removed, it can be hard to feel as though your work is as valuable and meaningful as it was in the classroom. It is! It just looks very different. I've had other teacher friends actually end up going BACK to teaching because they ended up missing the level of impact they were able to have ;)
BansheeBaileyFormer law firm accountant, now retired.
918
11/14/19 at 4:40AM UTC
I graduated college with a teaching license and a BA in English. I had an amazing cooperating/managing teacher in my senior year. She was a great teacher among the burnout cases and should have been paid like a rock star. The next time we saw each other was 5 years later, while we both stood in the law school bookstore line for our first year textbooks. Even after she passed the NY bar, she taught for another three years so that her teacher’s pension would vest. She ended up working as a lawyer for the teachers’ union, I believe.
Erin Howard-ReidCareer Counselor
318
11/11/19 at 10:39PM UTC
I've had quite a few clients and students transition from teaching to financial advising. They all say it's just as much work as teaching, but the financial payoff is much better.
Also, if you've ever wanted to try writing self-publishing is an awesome route to try. You could even write How To books for teachers and/or learners. I think of Julia Cook as an example. She was a School Counselor and is now a bestselling childrens author.
lkvoetterMaterials Engineer
15
11/11/19 at 4:36AM UTC
If you enjoy teaching you could look into the training department at larger corporations. Or with the English and reading maybe in proposal writing or grant writing.
Anonymous
11/10/19 at 6:03PM UTC
With your experience in English and Reading, you should absolutely check out the big testing and textbook companies like Pearson and ETS. I wrote for them for many years as a freelancer (remotely), and the staff members I reported to were almost always former teachers with advanced degrees in English. While still working as a teacher, you could supplement your income, familiarize yourself with the company culture, and make contacts at these companies by working as a freelance writer. They don't have brick-and-mortar offices in every state, but I know for sure that many of the full-time employees are able to work remotely after a period of time on staff. Good luck!
Theresa ManningEarly Childhood and Development Trainer
15
11/10/19 at 4:49PM UTC
I was in a similar position last year. I was an Assistant Director at a childcare center and while job searching I found a position as a Quality Assurance Rep. I went into childcare centers for the franchise and did health and safety audits. It allowed me to still be in a field I was familiar with, working with directors and teachers, but with new challenges and responsibilities. It was a great learning experience in a different aspect of my field but the extensive travel piece didn’t fit with my work-life balance. I recently left the position and am now in the same boat again! Good luck!
Liz ShannonAccountant- Budget Analyst-Reconciliations
130
11/10/19 at 4:36PM UTC
I work for a school district. I’m not an educator but have found, that a lot of educators who spent just one or two years as a school principal, can then easily get into district administration. Director of curriculums, director of student services, even superintendent. Now, it’s also been my experience of these people aren’t necessarily qualified for these jobs, unfortunately. But being a school principal for just a few years seems to be the major steppingstone. Regardless, good luck with whatever you choose to do
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