I am transitioning out of education and trying to hone my skills in a way that organizations see valuable.

19 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 4:44PM UTC

   Please check out Gallup assessments. They tell you what you're good at, burnt out at, and a lot more. I loved it, and you know what, it was spot on. I was in sales for over 30 years, and it just wasn't a burnt out skill, it was a "I hate" skill! They also have what jobs would be right for you based upon your interests and the assessments. Can't go wrong.

2. AV WayansAugust 24,2023 at 7:09PM UTC

   Thank you I will definitely be checking this out!

3. Audrey KirschAugust 23,2023 at 4:55PM UTC

   You already have many of the skills that organizations look for. You have a higher education, practice organization skills, understand time sensitive projects, can motivate minds and evaluate good vs poor work. All of these can be geared to most anything you are aiming to switch to. Good Luck!

4. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:12PM UTC

   Hi, depending on what you did in education: certain skills are always transferable. Feel free to try getting a free consultation with a career coach or join a pivot your career webinar (which can be found through Google searches, especially for virtual registrations), and list the top other fields you want to get into to discuss with a coach / someone to practice an elevator pitch with. Good luck.

5. AV WayansAugust 24,2023 at 7:08PM UTC

   Thank you!

6. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:13PM UTC

   I would ask ChatGpt for specific suggestions to get started.

7. AnonymousAugust 23,2023 at 5:27PM UTC

   What field are you trying to transition into? That will impact your strategy.

8. April LineAugust 24,2023 at 12:13PM UTC

   There's this woman, Karen, who has written extensively on the topic of making academic/academia skills transferrable to the corporate world.

   Her thing is called "The Professor Is In", I'd look there.

9. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 1:00PM UTC

   Teacher Career Coach is a good resource (and not crazy expensive). Look for the podcast or on Instagram it really helped me narrow down my options

10. Jennifer TaylorAugust 24,2023 at 1:42PM UTC

    Focus on your transferable skills. Organization, speaking skills, etc… what area of business are you looking to transfer to? I pivoted my career from creative project management to corporate communications. I had to start at the bottom, but it was worth it for me. Oh, and I was 50 when I changed careers!

11. AV WayansAugust 24,2023 at 7:08PM UTC

    So Ive been an Art teacher for the last six years and now id like to do something more creative like Creative project management, Art direction, or visual marketing. Do you have any advice about steps i should take or ways to improve my resume?

12. Tami CannizzaroAugust 25,2023 at 7:39PM UTC

    Totally support your wanting to transition to a different role. I suggest (if you haven't already done so) researching each of the roles you are interested in and listing the skills/requirements needed. Compare this to your current skills - identify what you have and areas for improvement. What do you need to get to where you want to be? Is it a class or certification? Experience in something you don't currently have? Then find a way to get it, even if it's volunteer work and build your portfolio. You mention Visual Marketing, which in many cases is creating your own works and showing them (i.e. gallery) for sale. In that case, it could be something you build on the side for awhile while your current gig supports this endeavor until you can do Visual Arts full time. Maybe start with a small collection, apply to showcase your work at a local art show and start there. Creative Project Management - in my experience, this is in a marketing department or agency, and is serious project management work, managing creative projects yet less about actually doing the creative work. You'll need to show employers experience in taking a project from start to finish, managing people/teams throughout the process. Again, research your options. Best Wishes!

13. AnonymousAugust 24,2023 at 8:14PM UTC

    Find a company that does training and perhaps see if there are openings in L&D teams there. Learning and development usually exists in larger companies so focus there. Good luck.

14. AnonymousAugust 25,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

    Hi! I’m a recruiter and I’ve hired a few past educators in my career. I’d say you can absolutely get a role anywhere to get your foot in the door in a Customer Support or entry level sales role to work your way up or transition into another department. You got this!!

15. AnonymousAugust 25,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    And in customer support roles you are frequently educating either customers or business owners how to use a platform. Exceptional planning and organizational skills are also essential in corporate America!

16. AnonymousAugust 27,2023 at 12:11PM UTC

    Hello, I'm trying to transition out of the corporate world. I've been working in law for over twenty years. How do I get employers in other fields and industries to take me seriously?

17. AnonymousAugust 25,2023 at 4:19PM UTC

    My partner used to be an educator and made a complete career shift, and I have made a career shift in my early thirties, so I totally get it! First, good for you for taking the leap! It can be quite scary but also exciting. Second, think about what you liked and disliked about teaching. Was there certain subjects or tasks? Maybe you loved the development part, maybe you were the go-to person for administrative questions, or maybe you were tech savvy? Whatever it is that you like, try to find a company or industry that will help you build those skills. Right now is a time for you to get out there and find yourself again and discover what you want to do. My partner and I did eventually seek additional education in order to make a shift, however, we both worked for sometime in customer service the interim while figuring out what we wanted to do, rather than rushing into a bunch of classes, certificates, or degrees. You may even find a company you like working for that will pay you to go back to school. Best of luck out there! Keep your head up and get ready for a bright new you!

18. sabrinabaker@ymail.comAugust 25,2023 at 8:43PM UTC

    I transitioned out of education after 14 years into instructional design. I just had my one year anniversary at my new job. I joined IDOL Courses Academy for help learning tools of the trade and building a portfolio, but teachers have lots of transferable skills in this area.

19. Lindsay StuartAugust 29,2023 at 2:30PM UTC

    As a former educator that also transitioned out, I would also suggest Teacher Career Coach but ALSO Erin Lewber. Following her on LinkedIn by itself is super helpful, but she also offers resources, coaching, and some self-paced courses.

    Also, find people in those roles, ask if they’d be willing to share their path, what skills/certifications have been helpful etc. Talking to people in the roles you’re targeting will help you understand them better and then narrow your focus.