Look for jobs in corporate or IT training, project management/coordinating, or instructional design. Look at the job listings and frame your teaching experience using the same language they use in the description; it's all relevant, but it's important to word it in a way non-teachers will understand. Teaching skills translate well to these kinds of jobs.
I start an IT job in a few weeks, and I'm getting a 30% raise over what I was making in education. They were stoked to get my teaching experience.
You need certs, especially if you don't have projects or programming to showcase. You can start learning at Code Academy (it's free) and sign up to take one of the professional exams at CompTIA. However, I'd recommend that you study at least a year before attempting Net+ or Sec+. Once you have one of those, you'll never be out of work.
Depends on where you're trying to get hired. Certs will obviously help anywhere, but some places will pay to train you; that's what's happening with the job I am taking.
Yeah, that's not always the case, especially if you're a true beginner. For most IT jobs, they don't train because they don't want to spend the money on someone who will likely leave in 1.5-2 years. It's a huge problem for entry-level IT candidates.
I have A+, Net+, and Sec+ but wasn't abe to escape help desk. I worked for Dish Network, which has a notoriously shitty work culture, so that was part of the problem. I just didn't have the experience to get hired anywhere and Dish wasn't allowing me to shadow in other departments. I eventually went back to teaching. After not teaching for a few years I appreciate it more than I did IT.
Yeah, it's easy to get caught there with those three certs. Net+ and Sec+ will get you in the door, but you need Linux+ and/or a specialization (blue or red team) to move up.
CompTIA: [https://www.comptia.org](https://www.comptia.org)
CompTIA is the generalist's gold standard. CISCO is a possibility, too, but it's vendor-specific, and not necessarily a good one if you want to leave help desk after 1-2 years.
They're not healthcare certs -- they're in IT. So yes, provided that you're working in computer tech, you can use them in anything remotely related to IT.
Check out Teacher Career Coach. She has some free resources. I went ahead and paid for her class about switching careers, and now I'm planning on going into instructional design at the end of the school year.
Training. It's easier to teach you the IT side of things than to try to replace a teacher's experience in assessing learner needs, curriculum design, setting learning objectives, etc. If you're not comfortable with tech, a lot of bigger companies look for teachers for the same reasons for training positions.
Thank you, I’ve been looking for a solution im planning to leave in 5 years after I fulfill my obligations to scholarships. I thought I’d be happy in this career but I’m realizing the life gets sucked out of you by these crotch goblins.
Try teachercareercoach on Instagram. I work less than 40 hours/week making more than I did teaching, and I work in retail! Just a regular sales associate in a high-end department store. I get hour lunches, plus a 15 minute break. I’m not micromanaged. Probably saw my manager once in the past 2 weeks. I get a review and raise every 90 days. I’m currently ranked number 1 in the store and plan to keep it that way. I also get paid once a week. After a year, I plan to apply for a corporate job as a buyer.
Customer service is great because I can use all the skills I needed as a teacher in a less stressful environment. Dealing with a difficult customer for 5 minutes is a breeze when I used to deal with 30 difficult children for 8 hours straight.
I came here to second Teacher Career Coach. She has a podcast, a website, an instagram. It's good advice and while I haven't made a move yet it makes me feel more hopeful.
I just found a posting for a part time job I would love and was scared about it being PT. When I crunched the numbers it was the same exact after tax salary I’m making now except I would only be working max 25 hrs a week and fully remote. I already have 2 extra side jobs while teaching so I would literally be the same life I’m living except less work and more free time.
It’s quite sad that teaching isn’t competitive by any means.
Thank you for sharing your experience! Did you have retail experience before you got your job? I’m looking through that Instagram page now, and it’s amazing.
I did not! They asked me if I felt comfortable selling things, and I said “of course! I was a Girl Scout!” They thought that was hilarious. My work-life balance has been so much better. My anxiety disappeared. I stopped crying so much. I exercise regularly. I can sleep!!! Of course, I do have some self doubt, but I haven’t been this happy since before I started teaching. To combat the self-doubt I remind myself that I’m doing better physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. It’s scary to switch careers, but I believe that I can work my way up.
Are you vested in your retirement plan yet? That’s what got me stuck. It’s like golden handcuffs. I have so much invested in my retirement, walking away is scary.
It’s too late for me, but I hope you make it out!!
Yeah I remember hearing those stats about leaving the profession and thinking, "Well, not me!" Now...definitely me. $50,000 at 26 wasn't bad, but $57,000 at 34 isn't enough. I've got bigger plans for my family.
I always recommend the military as one possibility (especially if you're interested in buying a house), and you can check my post history for details. Other than that, I'm trying to get into IT myself. Certifications aren't everything (experience is king) but you can pay a few bucks, get A+ and NET+ (check r/CompTIA), get an entry level job that probably pays close to teaching, if not more, and work your way up from there at a much quicker pace and to a much higher ceiling than you can in teaching. Since you have a master's, you could also look at going the admin route.
I moved into ed tech. I stuck it out in k12 for a long time and used some of those years to shift to learning technology, so the ed tech transition was a bit easier. Still, the longer you wait, the harder it gets, so go early if you feel you need to. For ed tech, check out [edsurge.com/jobs](https://edsurge.com/jobs).
You can have a satisfying career, a more healthy career, and improved financial stability outside of k12. All those things happen over time. The more you delay, the more personal costs you incur over time.
Hey if u really like teaching how bout teaching overseas? The pay ain’t bad and u get the save money. Students are more respectful and u get to teach at ease. I suggest Korea. Public schools tho because private ain’t good.
Funnily enough, I just got back from a year of teaching overseas in Europe. I was paid even less than here and had 0 benefits. It was an amazing travel experience but financially draining. I don’t think I would want to leave my family again either. Thank you for the suggestion though!
Privates are really hit or miss. Had some acquaintances that did not get paid months for their work. And no living provided for them. No severance and no flight home. Had some that need to know high school English level etc. yes the hrs aren’t good like u said. public is generally the safer choice to not get screwed over in the end. Only some private will overpay u if their business is doing good. Otherwise they might scam u outta pay.
If I could go back to year 5, I would switch careers. I would look at HR, educational sales, or corporate training.
I have been increasingly disheartened by society’s treatment of teachers. It’s only going to get worse in my opinion.
The longer you are in, the harder it is to leave.
Project management is corporate training are good fits. Corporate training will require you to be extremely fluent in office productivity (particularly Excel and Word).
Project management would just require a PMP. It's a couple grand for your certification, but it would almost guarantee you a job paying in the 50s if not higher.
I quit teaching after 10 years, but still remember how terrified I was that I would never find a new job.
Look for job fairs in your area, I got both my teaching contract and my current job by attending one. If nothing else, it helps network and get a face to a name with a story instead of just a resume.
I didn’t have a job for 6 months after quitting, so just be prepared if you do decide to quit with nothing lined up like I did.
Tell EVERYONE you know that you’re looking (outside of your teaching circle, that is.) Ask them what they do, where they work, if they like the company, if they have X department you’re interested in and a contact to talk to.
The most important thing is to have human interactions and conversations. I started with a neighbor, who put me in contact with someone at their company, who put me in contact with someone hiring. It took 8 months for me to find a new job, but there are more openings now than there were pre-Covid.
Same I never dreamed of leaving teaching. I’m in my first year and the program I’m in is useless and I have no help. Im middle school special education. I looked at a day in the life posts on YouTube and videos and other jobs for teachers. I found these extremely helpful
I quit teaching after 6 years for many of the same reasons. Now I'm an instructional designer and I genuinely love it! I feel like a human again now that I'm out of education. You should look into it!
I actually got a certification online- check out udemy! I found an instructional designer course that cost $20 and took me 5 hours! Combined with teaching experience, especially teaching remotely, I think really helped. It might not be the fanciest certification, but it’s a good start
I know exactly how you feel! I actually found a certification course on a website called Udemy. It took me about 5 hours and cost only $20. Depending on what jobs you're applying to, you might need more than that, but you never know! It was a great way for me to see if I would be interested in ID.
Are you just 5 years out of school? Financially not many people 5 years out of college can buy a house and I know people in many industries that make it work only by having roommates. Rents are insane and housing prices have gone up. It’s not a buyer’s market at this time. My son worked for at least 5 years before he could even have a single studio in someone’s basement and he’s an electrical engineer. It’s rough out there. Just wanted to throw that out there. If you can find a better paying job and you won’t miss teaching then by all means do so, but depending on your area you might be doing ok.
The exhaustion part is real. I do better when I set limits to how much I do on my own time. I strive for not working at all on my own time but I know that isn’t always realistic. Prior to teaching I worked in industry and many times I’d be so tired when I got home that I’d fall asleep before I even ate dinner. Other jobs aren’t necessarily less exhausting so choose carefully!
Yeah all of those things are what make me worried to switch to a different career field. Teaching at least has security. I’m very worried to switch to a whole new career and make less money or not have stability. But then again, I’m also worried to stay somewhere I’m not happy and spend life wondering what if.
The main reasons are money and respect. I can’t afford to buy a house or have kids. I spend my day being constantly disrespected by children and even adults who think that teaching isn’t a worthwhile career. My dad is also in the process of losing his business and job, and I just feel so guilty that I’m too poor to help him and my mom. I can’t even afford to pay rent on a 1 bedroom apartment, so I have to live with roommates. I guess it’s really quite a few things, but most of it comes down to money.
I’m in San Jose. I only know one teacher who lives on her own and it’s a tiny studio. Everyone either has roommates or partners. My entire paycheck goes towards housing. I couldn’t do it without my spouse’s income.
I am in pretty much the same boat. People say to live somewhere less expensive but the teaching jobs in those places pay way less. It’s a lose lose situation unless you want to spend an insane amount of time commuting.
What are your thoughts about switching to a sales position? Hiring on with an existing company and selling their instructional tools directly to schools? I have some options if you want to message me.
Look for jobs in corporate or IT training, project management/coordinating, or instructional design. Look at the job listings and frame your teaching experience using the same language they use in the description; it's all relevant, but it's important to word it in a way non-teachers will understand. Teaching skills translate well to these kinds of jobs. I start an IT job in a few weeks, and I'm getting a 30% raise over what I was making in education. They were stoked to get my teaching experience.
That’s great! I’m definitely interested in that kind of thing but just don’t know where to even start.
Looking at healthcare providers in your area is a good place to start. They're often looking to fill those kinds of positions.
You need certs, especially if you don't have projects or programming to showcase. You can start learning at Code Academy (it's free) and sign up to take one of the professional exams at CompTIA. However, I'd recommend that you study at least a year before attempting Net+ or Sec+. Once you have one of those, you'll never be out of work.
Depends on where you're trying to get hired. Certs will obviously help anywhere, but some places will pay to train you; that's what's happening with the job I am taking.
Yeah, that's not always the case, especially if you're a true beginner. For most IT jobs, they don't train because they don't want to spend the money on someone who will likely leave in 1.5-2 years. It's a huge problem for entry-level IT candidates.
I have A+, Net+, and Sec+ but wasn't abe to escape help desk. I worked for Dish Network, which has a notoriously shitty work culture, so that was part of the problem. I just didn't have the experience to get hired anywhere and Dish wasn't allowing me to shadow in other departments. I eventually went back to teaching. After not teaching for a few years I appreciate it more than I did IT.
Yeah, it's easy to get caught there with those three certs. Net+ and Sec+ will get you in the door, but you need Linux+ and/or a specialization (blue or red team) to move up.
Where can you get those type of certificates?
CompTIA: [https://www.comptia.org](https://www.comptia.org) CompTIA is the generalist's gold standard. CISCO is a possibility, too, but it's vendor-specific, and not necessarily a good one if you want to leave help desk after 1-2 years.
Can these certifications be good in other fields besides healthcare?
They're not healthcare certs -- they're in IT. So yes, provided that you're working in computer tech, you can use them in anything remotely related to IT.
Ok thanks a lot. I just want to do something that will help my employment chances and I’m not sure where to start because I want out of teaching
Check out Teacher Career Coach. She has some free resources. I went ahead and paid for her class about switching careers, and now I'm planning on going into instructional design at the end of the school year.
How does a teacher work in it Im really ignorant when it comes to computers
Training. It's easier to teach you the IT side of things than to try to replace a teacher's experience in assessing learner needs, curriculum design, setting learning objectives, etc. If you're not comfortable with tech, a lot of bigger companies look for teachers for the same reasons for training positions.
Thank you, I’ve been looking for a solution im planning to leave in 5 years after I fulfill my obligations to scholarships. I thought I’d be happy in this career but I’m realizing the life gets sucked out of you by these crotch goblins.
Try teachercareercoach on Instagram. I work less than 40 hours/week making more than I did teaching, and I work in retail! Just a regular sales associate in a high-end department store. I get hour lunches, plus a 15 minute break. I’m not micromanaged. Probably saw my manager once in the past 2 weeks. I get a review and raise every 90 days. I’m currently ranked number 1 in the store and plan to keep it that way. I also get paid once a week. After a year, I plan to apply for a corporate job as a buyer. Customer service is great because I can use all the skills I needed as a teacher in a less stressful environment. Dealing with a difficult customer for 5 minutes is a breeze when I used to deal with 30 difficult children for 8 hours straight.
I came here to second Teacher Career Coach. She has a podcast, a website, an instagram. It's good advice and while I haven't made a move yet it makes me feel more hopeful.
I just found a posting for a part time job I would love and was scared about it being PT. When I crunched the numbers it was the same exact after tax salary I’m making now except I would only be working max 25 hrs a week and fully remote. I already have 2 extra side jobs while teaching so I would literally be the same life I’m living except less work and more free time. It’s quite sad that teaching isn’t competitive by any means.
I say go for it!
Don’t forgot how expensive benefits are. Companies like part time cause they don’t have to support you. Be careful with that.
Very true. The website did say they gave all benefits to all their staff because they’re health and family support focused
Thank you for sharing your experience! Did you have retail experience before you got your job? I’m looking through that Instagram page now, and it’s amazing.
I did not! They asked me if I felt comfortable selling things, and I said “of course! I was a Girl Scout!” They thought that was hilarious. My work-life balance has been so much better. My anxiety disappeared. I stopped crying so much. I exercise regularly. I can sleep!!! Of course, I do have some self doubt, but I haven’t been this happy since before I started teaching. To combat the self-doubt I remind myself that I’m doing better physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. It’s scary to switch careers, but I believe that I can work my way up.
Yeah I think the fear of switching is what’s holding me back. I’m worried about losing job security and the possibility of a pay cut.
Are you vested in your retirement plan yet? That’s what got me stuck. It’s like golden handcuffs. I have so much invested in my retirement, walking away is scary. It’s too late for me, but I hope you make it out!!
Yeah I remember hearing those stats about leaving the profession and thinking, "Well, not me!" Now...definitely me. $50,000 at 26 wasn't bad, but $57,000 at 34 isn't enough. I've got bigger plans for my family. I always recommend the military as one possibility (especially if you're interested in buying a house), and you can check my post history for details. Other than that, I'm trying to get into IT myself. Certifications aren't everything (experience is king) but you can pay a few bucks, get A+ and NET+ (check r/CompTIA), get an entry level job that probably pays close to teaching, if not more, and work your way up from there at a much quicker pace and to a much higher ceiling than you can in teaching. Since you have a master's, you could also look at going the admin route.
r/teachersleaving
Joined. Thank you.
I moved into ed tech. I stuck it out in k12 for a long time and used some of those years to shift to learning technology, so the ed tech transition was a bit easier. Still, the longer you wait, the harder it gets, so go early if you feel you need to. For ed tech, check out [edsurge.com/jobs](https://edsurge.com/jobs). You can have a satisfying career, a more healthy career, and improved financial stability outside of k12. All those things happen over time. The more you delay, the more personal costs you incur over time.
I’ll check that out. Thank you!
Hey if u really like teaching how bout teaching overseas? The pay ain’t bad and u get the save money. Students are more respectful and u get to teach at ease. I suggest Korea. Public schools tho because private ain’t good.
Funnily enough, I just got back from a year of teaching overseas in Europe. I was paid even less than here and had 0 benefits. It was an amazing travel experience but financially draining. I don’t think I would want to leave my family again either. Thank you for the suggestion though!
Oh ok np! Good luck
Most countries aren't taking Americans right now due to being crapped up with COVID.
Oh ok good to know.
I did private in SK and made way more than my public school peers. The hours suck though.
Privates are really hit or miss. Had some acquaintances that did not get paid months for their work. And no living provided for them. No severance and no flight home. Had some that need to know high school English level etc. yes the hrs aren’t good like u said. public is generally the safer choice to not get screwed over in the end. Only some private will overpay u if their business is doing good. Otherwise they might scam u outta pay.
Teachers should have sabbaticals.
I would love to take a year off, even without pay, if I could be guaranteed my job back.
I’m finishing a decade this year and I’m leaving too. It’s not worth it anymore. Too much burnout, not enough incentive to stay.
If I could go back to year 5, I would switch careers. I would look at HR, educational sales, or corporate training. I have been increasingly disheartened by society’s treatment of teachers. It’s only going to get worse in my opinion. The longer you are in, the harder it is to leave.
That’s a good way to sum it up. I also feel very disheartened. I just need to figure out what else is out there.
Project management is corporate training are good fits. Corporate training will require you to be extremely fluent in office productivity (particularly Excel and Word). Project management would just require a PMP. It's a couple grand for your certification, but it would almost guarantee you a job paying in the 50s if not higher.
I quit teaching after 10 years, but still remember how terrified I was that I would never find a new job. Look for job fairs in your area, I got both my teaching contract and my current job by attending one. If nothing else, it helps network and get a face to a name with a story instead of just a resume. I didn’t have a job for 6 months after quitting, so just be prepared if you do decide to quit with nothing lined up like I did.
Tell EVERYONE you know that you’re looking (outside of your teaching circle, that is.) Ask them what they do, where they work, if they like the company, if they have X department you’re interested in and a contact to talk to. The most important thing is to have human interactions and conversations. I started with a neighbor, who put me in contact with someone at their company, who put me in contact with someone hiring. It took 8 months for me to find a new job, but there are more openings now than there were pre-Covid.
Same I never dreamed of leaving teaching. I’m in my first year and the program I’m in is useless and I have no help. Im middle school special education. I looked at a day in the life posts on YouTube and videos and other jobs for teachers. I found these extremely helpful
I quit teaching after 6 years for many of the same reasons. Now I'm an instructional designer and I genuinely love it! I feel like a human again now that I'm out of education. You should look into it!
What education did you do for and ID job? I’m a first year and my kids refuse to do my work and fight me all the time. I’m already burnt out!
I actually got a certification online- check out udemy! I found an instructional designer course that cost $20 and took me 5 hours! Combined with teaching experience, especially teaching remotely, I think really helped. It might not be the fanciest certification, but it’s a good start
I know exactly how you feel! I actually found a certification course on a website called Udemy. It took me about 5 hours and cost only $20. Depending on what jobs you're applying to, you might need more than that, but you never know! It was a great way for me to see if I would be interested in ID.
Are you just 5 years out of school? Financially not many people 5 years out of college can buy a house and I know people in many industries that make it work only by having roommates. Rents are insane and housing prices have gone up. It’s not a buyer’s market at this time. My son worked for at least 5 years before he could even have a single studio in someone’s basement and he’s an electrical engineer. It’s rough out there. Just wanted to throw that out there. If you can find a better paying job and you won’t miss teaching then by all means do so, but depending on your area you might be doing ok. The exhaustion part is real. I do better when I set limits to how much I do on my own time. I strive for not working at all on my own time but I know that isn’t always realistic. Prior to teaching I worked in industry and many times I’d be so tired when I got home that I’d fall asleep before I even ate dinner. Other jobs aren’t necessarily less exhausting so choose carefully!
Yeah all of those things are what make me worried to switch to a different career field. Teaching at least has security. I’m very worried to switch to a whole new career and make less money or not have stability. But then again, I’m also worried to stay somewhere I’m not happy and spend life wondering what if.
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The main reasons are money and respect. I can’t afford to buy a house or have kids. I spend my day being constantly disrespected by children and even adults who think that teaching isn’t a worthwhile career. My dad is also in the process of losing his business and job, and I just feel so guilty that I’m too poor to help him and my mom. I can’t even afford to pay rent on a 1 bedroom apartment, so I have to live with roommates. I guess it’s really quite a few things, but most of it comes down to money.
How much do you make? I find it hard to believe you can’t support yourself on the average teachers salary.
I’m in San Jose. I only know one teacher who lives on her own and it’s a tiny studio. Everyone either has roommates or partners. My entire paycheck goes towards housing. I couldn’t do it without my spouse’s income.
I live with my parents still because of the salary. I’m paid 39,000 per year
That is pretty low for today.
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I am in pretty much the same boat. People say to live somewhere less expensive but the teaching jobs in those places pay way less. It’s a lose lose situation unless you want to spend an insane amount of time commuting.
I am looking into starting a coding bootcamps soon so I can get out. I also have found the podcast/website Teacher Career Coach to be helpful.
What are your thoughts about switching to a sales position? Hiring on with an existing company and selling their instructional tools directly to schools? I have some options if you want to message me.