It is noble to think that once you become a teacher you will dedicate your entire working life to the profession and some people do, but for those who have simply had enough of the classroom and would like a change, here are ten career choices for you to consider starting from the obvious to the not so obvious. Before I go any further, let me stress that making a career change is not something that should be taken lightly and chances are, you already know this, after all you are teachers. It is advisable to examine the cause of your discontent, sometimes all you need is a change of school or a good rest and you may begin to see things differently. In the last issue we dealt with the topic of teacher burnout and how to spot it. Ensure that any decisions you make about your career and life, are done when you are well rested and in a place where you can think clearly and objectively.
- School Administrator
Most school administrators begin their careers as classroom teachers, in fact, I believe that administrators who were once teachers are better suited to leading a school. Please be aware that many school administrators still teach, so if you want to never teach again this might not be possible in some schools. Teachers are ideally suited to rise the ranks into administration and this can be a great way to get a break from the rigours of classroom teaching, while still remaining in education and serving students. Be sure that you are ready for the role of an administrator, as it can be just as or even more taxing than being a teacher. Look into, good management training programmes and find a mentor if this is something that you are seriously considering.
- Teacher Trainer/Education Consultant
This position is not only for retired educators, more and more educators are making the move into teacher training and consultancy, midway in their careers. If you believe that you have what it takes to help other teachers and schools improve, then this could be a perfect fit for you. Please be aware that many consultants in education are self-employed, so if this is not something that you are ready for, then you may want to start off by becoming a lecturer on a teacher training course. It does not take you out of the classroom, but it does allow you to teach adults rather than children.
- Corporate Trainer
Training other professionals in a business setting can be a fantastic way to use your presentation, communication, and leadership skills. In fact, many former teachers prefer this career to having a job in a traditional classroom setting, since they get to teach without dealing with the bureaucracy of a school. Aside from training groups of business professionals, corporate trainers can also coach individual executives or put their services to work for non-profit organisations. Many job adverts for cooperate trainers ask for teaching experience as a pre-requisite.
- Private Tutor to The Stars
Many teachers would rather help individual students rather than trying to control an entire class. Many celebrities and wealthy individuals have turned to home-schooling as a viable alternative for their children. Home-schooling allows them to be able to travel with their kids and live in several locations throughout the year. This opens up really lucrative opportunities for teachers who enjoy globetrotting, to become private tutors for such children. With more and more ordinary parents turning to home-schooling or seeking extra support for their kids, the market for good private tutors seems to also be growing. Plus, tutoring is one of the best part-time jobs for teachers who need a bit of extra cash.
- Curriculum Writer
Some teachers would rather be behind the scenes writing the curriculum and creating resources for the classroom. This too can be a great choice for those who would like to remain in education, but step outside of the classroom.
6. College or University Academic Advisor
Former teachers are often good at knowing what students need in order to successfully navigate their academic requirements. And every post-secondary institution has staff members who specialise in assisting students with that aspect of college life. So being an academic advisor is often a good match for people who’ve left the teaching profession, but don’t want to leave the education sector altogether.
- Public Speaker
Public speaking is becoming a very lucrative field, with some speakers commanding fees in the tens or even hundreds of thousands per appearance. Teachers tend to be born public speakers. They certainly have had plenty of practice speaking to groups of students on a daily basis. I strongly believe that nothing can be harder than keeping a group of children engaged and entertained for close to seven hours everyday. If teaching is not great practice for a career in public speaking, I don’t know what is.
- Vlogger/Blogger
These might not be obvious career choices for ex teachers, however to be a great vlogger or blogger you need to be a great story teller and teachers have had plenty of practice in this area. Vlogging and blogging also requires you to be disciplined and organised, which are also skills possessed by most teachers. Many expat teachers are also avid travellers, why not marry the two and start a travel vlog or blog.
9. Writer
Former teachers often make exceptional writers. And great writers are always in demand—not just in the worlds of publishing and entertainment. Countless businesses and non-profit organisations also have ongoing writing needs, whether for technical documentation, grant applications, proposals, or internal or external marketing. If you’re well-versed in a particular subject, you may even be able to find work with textbook publishers. You can work as part of an in-house writing team, or you can freelance on your own schedule, work from wherever you want, and choose your clients.
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
They say teaching is 70% acting. If this is the case, ex teachers are well suited for a career in radio or television. Being required to talk for the majority of the day, to students and colleagues, has to be great preparation for a career in broadcast journalism. If you have ever fancied a change, to a career in radio or television, chances are, you already have what it takes.
This list is by no means comprehensive, because ex teachers are suited to a myriad of careers. If you are a teacher who has simply had enough of the classroom and none of the above resonates with you, there are so many other options to consider. Remember in your search to; keep an open mind, network, get additional training in a new field if necessary, think outside the box and stay persistent. The level of dedication and discipline required to survive as a teacher, will serve you well in any other career that you may choose.
