So I’ve been a teacher for the biggest part of my adult life and just don’t feel the passion for it anymore. I have a Master’s, but again it’s in education as well as this was always my intended path. I live in an area that lacks a huge city so options are fairly limited, and I’m not able to move at this point in my life. A lot of options around me involve military and construction as we have lots of new construction going on and several military bases.
Given this information, what sort of paths could I maybe look into a little deeper? It’s so hard to try to give up everything I know when I’m 36, but I want to feel happy again.
16 comments
How do you feel about remote jobs?
Become a trainer for a financial industry, most of our good trainers were teachers, this could also get a foot in the door and open up other areas of interest.
I’m 37 and in the same boat. I make my money running online RPGs and writing bizarre niche porn. The Internet is wild and huge, there’s always a niche to carve for yourself while you (real answer incoming) learn WordPress or some software engineering stuff to make real money.
Teachers are actually in high demand in the tech industry (which is more likely to have remote work). Look up learning and development jobs where you’d be training employees on new software, process, etc. Individuals with a teaching background always have a leg up in that department.
https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/RIASEC/
Then plug your scores into
https://www.onetonline.org/explore/interests/Social/Artistic/Investigative/
I agree with others, use your experience as a corporate trainer. Make big bucks during the day then do stuff you’re more passionate about at night. It would be a hell of a lot less stress than construction or military
Do you enjoy driving? Go get a CDL and you can (potential) make double what you currently make and just drive all day.
Look into project management. I’d be remiss not to assume that some of your teaching career has involved enough project management that some studying on the side and tailoring your resume to a position locally. It could be even out of state if you’re feeling adventurous and life allows it. Not the sexiest job but pays well enough to fund the fun stuff in your personal life.
I’m in the same boat, I’ve been in education 9 years and I want a change.
You can pivot to Educational Technology. A lot of companies are hiring Instructional Designers.
Yeah, I’m going to say corporate trainer, too. You can even do it remotely. But if you want a whole different field, then take a career aptitude test. Also check out the local community college for all the certificates they offer. And then check out community colleges nationwide for online certificates. If you want to get into tech, then do those Google certificates.
And you mentioned military nearby. So go on USAJOBS.GOV and see if they have anything for you. Keep checking back since positions get added all the time.
And you mentioned construction nearby. You’d probably make a good project manager. Teachers are supposed to be organized, so that should translate. Get certified as a project manager.
You can also be an online tutor.
Maybe be an educator at a museum or zoo? No homework to grade!
Oh, and just punch into Google: “what can I do with my teaching degree?”
And remember; you’re “only” 36. Make a 5-year plan. At 41 you will still be looking at 25 years of career ahead of you.
to live is to change.
Some of the answers here are fantastic. Definitely look up
a) corporate training – you anyway have experience dealing with infants 🙂
b) What about organisations like Khan Academy, Coursera, Degreed and other Ed Tech companies?
I don’t know what to suggest to you, but I can tell you that it can work.
My last dentist was a school algebra teacher for years. At 40, his house got destroyed by a hurricane, his wife left him, and he decided that teaching sucked. He went to dental school, and became a dentist. He would take off two months every year – but not necessarily summer. He started dating one of the women that worked in his office. He had a thriving practice until he died at age 75.
Another guy I worked with on the railroad taught for only a few years, and even met his wife at the first job both of them worked after graduating. He also decided the career wasn’t for him, and went to work for the railroad (NYC commuter subway). It’s a solid union job with lots of overtime and great benefits. He’s just about at his 25/65 for full retirement – and he’s even got a guaranteed benefit pension, along with other retirement arrangements.
I’m a new teacher who came from the corporate world. Look into corporate training. Some companies need good teachers believe it or not.
you’re a teacher, you can waltz into any managerial job that you prefer just wow them at the interview. Be confident and explain that managing kids is much harder than managing adults and show the company you can motivate, empathize and respect your colleagues. You’ll go a long way, I believe in you! Work on those interview skills!!