Teaching is a profession that invites people from different walks of life. Some people choose it as a career because they felt it to be the only viable career which promises long summer holidays. Others join it for the pure passion and an opportunity to follow one’s life purpose after figuring out their life’s calling.
However there can be hay days and even weeks reflected by bad lessons, lack of professional growth and challenging job portfolio which does not provide enough mental stimulation to nurture your grey matter. If you are one of those who can associate with one of these hay days, where even though you are not burned out but some days felt more like going to work rather than going to school then it is time to reflect about your career transition.
However as exciting it may sound initially it is always prudent to do some homework before taking such drastic steps. The first thing to figure out is what inspires you every day that will make this career change worth giving a shot. If you don’t figure this aspect then definitely your new job won’t guarantee you bouquet of roses that you dreamt of. On the contrary you might feel that your old profession was much better than your current one.
Once you have figured out your area of interest, you need to tailor your resume to not only match the job requirements but also convince employers that you look exactly like the candidate they want. Think of your new resume and cover letters as opportunities to rewrite your story and think about your next chapter. Change the order of your resume so that the most relevant aspect stands out and add specific details to illustrate your qualifications.
So if you’re involved in any projects or volunteering activity that demonstrate your interest in your target career, make sure to highlight them. For example, you can highlight and elaborate your contribution as the school magazine editor if you are interested to join a publishing firm.
Last and not the least, you need to consider the money factor before taking the leap. You need to understand the opportunity cost involved in this step. You need to ensure that your decision makes sense from the financial perspective to not only maintain your standard of living but also flourish financially.
Most people get stuck in the first step as they find it difficult to figure out their area of interest. The immense competition of the cold corporate world may seem like a deterrent for many teachers. Transitioning from classroom to boardroom is not the only option and there are many unique and offbeat opportunities that one can explore. Let us explore some of them in this article.
Best jobs for teachers who don’t want to teach
1. Entrepreneurship
If you’re a teacher, you might be thinking, Entrepreneur? Who, me? All I’ve ever known is teaching and I am not sure if I can do anything else. Well don’t worry as you have specialized skills that will not make you feel that you are starting from scratch. Your years of classroom teaching can teach you to market yourself, handle clients and deliver high quality work.
Every good lesson that you deliver relies on SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time based) objective. A business setting is similar to this where personal and client objectives are the driving factors. You can use objectives in the same way you used them in a classroom, to drive activities and discussions. They are nothing more than goals. Whether it is a financial objective, a project objective, or a new career objective, you’ll need to know where you’re going today, next year, and five years from now.
In a 40-minute lesson, what matters most is that every minute counts. The same applies to clients in a business setting where they won’t show up if you can’t show them the value of their time. Value comes from solving other people’s problems. It’s a combination of identifying needs, providing solutions, and giving a little more than is expected. Whatever industry your business pertains to, your clients are asking the same thing which is ‘value’.
Finally as teachers we are often expected to scaffold complex ideas into easily comprehensible steps so that students don’t feel left out. In business, just like scaffolding a complex lesson, you want to constantly motivate your employees to move forward by making the big picture digestible. So if you have a business concept, startup idea, courage, time, and belief in your karma or whatever it takes to take your first step, then definitely pursue it wholeheartedly.
2. Standup comedy
Are you one of those language teachers who can create ripples of laughter in the classroom by showing the Friends episode where Joey was learning French? Are you one of those teachers who believe that comedy is an integral element of the classroom? If so then it is time to tickle your funny bones outside the school campus.
If storytelling, using humorous anecdotes and witty punch lines happen to be your forte then it is time you should start thinking about trying your hands in comic writing or humour-writing workshops. You can start by posting your own online videos and who knows those might be the ticket to your first stage performance and a fulltime career in standup comedy.
3. Professional speaker
If you can speak, you can influence. If you can influence, you can change lives.
– Rob Brown
As teachers don’t we influence and impact our students’ lives? Every great teacher has the potential to facilitate group discussions in a classroom setting of 5 or 50 students and still be calm and professional. Every great teacher can spin a story, use personal examples, humour and other delivery methods to keep learners engaged.
These are nothing but platform skills which are the prerequisites of a successful public speaker. As a speaker you can diversify your avenues by choosing career options like instructional or corporate trainer, counselor, motivator and even a life coach. If you happen to be the faculty advisor of your school’s debating club or train students for Model United Nations conferences then being a professional speaker can be an exciting opportunity to be explored. If nothing else you can enroll yourself in your city’s Toastmasters club. If you want to become a motivational speaker or life coach dealing with areas like leadership, personal development, self – compassion etc then you can opt for a certificate course in neuro – linguistic programming accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
4. Politician
Justin Trudeau, Elizabeth Warren, Dr.APJ. Abdul Kalam, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Eleanor Roosevelt had one thing in common. Before they started their political career they were former teachers or professors. To reach to the top one requires a titanic range of skills and who can deny that the formative years in education sector can be a boon in disguise. A teacher’s boundless energy and calmness during unexpected situations is what it takes to be a great political leader. If you feel you have the caliber of being stoic and indifferent to unwarranted criticism, office politics and even media attacks then getting involved in your local political unit or setting up your own independent political organisation might resonate with your teaching experience.
5. Writer / Publishing firm
Are you one of those teachers who find fuel and joy in creative expression? Do you enjoy the therapeutic experience of encouraging your students to write and appreciate their work? Do you have the ability to identify both the creator as well as writer that reside within you? If so then you can allow teaching to be your writing muse. Don’t let this art be just another hobby but you can even commercialise it by being a freelance writer. Start small by writing your own blog or even writing on online platforms like Quora and even on Careerizma if you want to share your skills and knowledge about your work domain. Figure out your niche and opportunities will knock your door. Anyone can be a writer and it does not necessarily mean that you need to be a language arts teacher to be a successful writer.
Apart from being a self proclaimed writer one can also join a publishing firm. There are many publishing firms like Madhuban publications which supply school books and are always in a lookout for teachers who can promote their books to different schools.
At the end let us not forget the humble beginning of JK Rowling who started her career as an English teacher in Portugal. If it wasn’t her journey as a teacher, she would not have made that train ride and Harry Potter would not have been conceived in her thoughts.
6. Education consultant
School teachers who want a career change but would like to continue in the education sector can become education consultants, working with schools and publishers to develop curricula and educational materials. Consultants do not necessarily need any additional educational qualification to transition from teaching. A master’s degree and classroom experience is enough, although it’s helpful to have experience in an office environment. India has seen a paradigm shift in the education sector which has resulted in a number of companies looking out for schools as their target market. Popular among them happen to be Educomp , Xseed , Next education and many more. These education software companies are in a constant lookout for teachers who can add valuable insight in their sales process by becoming an account manager or a business development manager and can help with their marketing and research and development wing by developing new products.
7. Education liaison roles
Teacher recruitment has become a major industry these days. Not only is there a huge demand for domestic teachers but also a huge demand abroad. This can be a golden opportunity for you to partner with schools and organise teacher placements and train new teachers. Some popular recruitment agencies happen to be Search Associates, TIE online, TPG India etc. Apart from this you can act as a liaison officer between schools , parents, university admission officers to advice students about university admissions , training courses and internships by organizing and engaging parent meetings and community forums.
The above list is not an exhaustive list but the tip of an iceberg. Apart from a conventional career path for an educator like becoming an academic coordinator, subject head, principal etc one can explore a gamut of options. I have seen language teachers who were so active in theatre that they gave up their full time career to pursue a full time course in film making to serve in main stream cinema. It is not necessary that you need to be dance teacher to become a professional dancer or a gym instructor to become a model. What matters is your aptitude and your attitude to nurture and pursue your hobbies with single minded devotion. Change is nature and pushing oneself from the realms of one’s comfort zone to face the unknown world is what makes human beings the supreme most species on planet earth. To summarise in Heraclitus’, Greek philosopher, words:
The only thing that is constant in life is change
Image credit: educationhq.com
Hi Yasmeen,
I have a lot of queries to ask as i am about to start my TEFL/TESOL course next month. I have been teaching since the past 5 years. I want to teach internationally. Please help. I am confused.
Hi Priyanka,
This article might answer your queries regarding international teaching jobs.
https://www.careerizma.com/blog/teaching-jobs-abroad/
Also apart from TESOL, you can also look for CELTA course offered by British Council. CELTA is more in demand in the market in case you want to teach English both in India as well as abroad.
Hello ma’am,
Your article over getting a job in the field of teaching English abroad like UK, CANADA, AUSTRALIA and UAE have been extremely useful for me as i higly aspire to become a teacher of English in british curriculum schools or international curriculum schools. Ma’am, is it possible to teach English in the UK for an indain person? I have only one dream in existence and that is to become a teacher of English in the uk especially, or any international curriculum based school in other countries like UAE and Gulf. Ma’am, i will be grateful to you for your response. Plz. Consider my comment plz. My qualification is i have done BA ENGLISH LITERATURE and currently doing masters programme in English. And i have strong determination to do PGCE from any of the renowned universities of the UK.
hello
first thanks for such kind of co operation.
please tell me about the job prospects of indian school teachers for math and science abroad in developed countries.can a indian school teachers for stem subjects get good job after doing teaching training courses in developed countries.what is their future there
thanks and waiting for reply
Hello Amit,
STEM subjects are always in demand but you have to be patient to get a job after receiving your teaching qualification based on the current market economy that these countries are going through. Don’t expect immediate job placements.
HELLO MAM,
THANKS FOR SUCH A KIND OF HELP BEING PROVIDED BY YOU FOR US
PLEASE GUIDE ME
IF AN INDIAN SCHOOL TEACHER WITH SCIENCE MATH SUBJECTS WITH EXPERIENCE ALSO, COMPLETES TEACHER TRAINING COURSE IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES LIKE UK CANADA NZ ETC,THEN CAN HE OR SHE GET THE JOB IN THESE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES EASILY OR STILL THERE IS LOT OF STRUGGLE .IN OTHER WORDS WHAT IS THE CAREER PROSPESTS OF INDIAN TEACHERS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AFTER DOING TEACHER TRAINIG COURSES THERE SPECIALLY FOR STEM SUBJECTS
THANKS
WAITING FOR REPLY
Hello Amit,
Technically yes, one should get a job after achieving teaching qualification from those countries but how soon you will get those jobs depends on your network, luck , visa status and of course the market economy at that point of time.
Hello madam!!
I have a degree in hospitality and administration. Though I don’t have a degree in it, am very fluent in English. Also, I teach spoken English in Govt. schools. I wish to work in China in same capacity. Please advice me, if there is any chance.
Thank You
Dear Renjith,
Tough luck , you need some qualification as you will be competing with native speakers who are favored for their citizenship.
Hello mam,
Hats off to you!what a social work! the first detailed information on teachers willing to shift Abroad.i searched internet for hours for this. today i feel as if your article pleased my soul.Thanks a lot madam. Now i am sure only you are the right person to guide me regarding my dream.
would you please guide ?
I am a B.Sc. B.Ed. MBA with all regular education. Now serving as science teacher in Govt. School in Punjab for 6 years on contractual basis under SSA.our salaries are most of the time pending for 5 to 6 months. there is no feeling of security even after 6 years. everyday the idea of shift to better opportunity come to mind.From you, i come to know that i have to do PGCSE. What if I am intersted in going UAE, USA or Australia.?is this applicable everywhere? do these countries also conduct test like TET in India? I am eagerly waiting for your precious advice madam.Thanks. Would you please reply me on my e-mail?
Dear Pinki,
Thank you for considering my work as social work. You can try in U.A.E as you have B.ED but if you want to teach international curriculum schools then PGCSE is the preferred qualification. I would suggest go to UAE in an Indian curriculum school. Teach there and side by side finish your PGCSE in case you want to continue teaching in international schools. Dubai has universities which offer this course. These countries don’t conduct TET.
Hi ma’am I am so pleased to read your article which is very informative and useful almost all information regarding gulf teaching job you have provided I have done BSC n Bed in 2014 I hv three years of experience in teaching from 2010-2013 but from 2015 I am running my own coaching I have taught Science EVS,G.K Eng and Math for Primary sections now I am looking for a job in Saudi Arabia from January this year I have collected all the useful information about this job n trying n registering in many online agencies but no response is there I want to go with my two kids n my hubby n keep trying to get a best medium by which I can get this can you please help me to find a trust worthy agency or any medium which can help me or am I a deserving candidate for Gulf teaching job one more important thing do they provide accommodation or tuition fee with other facilities to the Indian candidates except your mentioned salary structure ? Please please help me as I am seriously reading your all answers and I am in need of this . Thanks Best regards from my side.
Hello Arshi,
Thank you for your comment. Did you apply for GEMS recruitment drive as GEMS have schools in Saudi also. Regarding accommodation, yes they provide family accommodation and you have to mention that in your interview. Tuition fee is also waived off for children. Some schools go for full tuition fee waiver for first child and partial for second child which means you just have to pay for transport and stationary items. However do check all of this in the interview as school policies differ for different organisations and ensure what ever is said during the interview is mentioned in the offer letter for your safety.
Hello mam,
I m deepika from punjab working as a science teacher. I am post graduate with chemistry and b.ed.
Mam,like the enquiry of pinki mam dated 29 june,my job is also same with her.i m also working under ssa with no future as i have been on contact since 7 years even not getting salary timely.
Plz guide us
If i do teacher training courses like pgce in uk etc .then what is the future and chances of getting job there for science math teachers thanks
Hello Dipica,
Your question is similar to that of many readers who ask me about teaching jobs related to STEM subjects. I would suggest rather than leaving your job to pursue PGCSE in UK, you can do it from Nottingham university in Thailand or try to teach in U.A.E and enroll for PGCSE in Dubai. This will add on to your international teaching experience.
hi madam,
my name is manish dixit i have done btech in electrical pgdm that is equivalent to mba in hr and marketing MCOM in business administration NOW I HAVE MORE TAHN 8 YEARS EXPERINCE OF teaching want to teach in dubai no degree of bed i was the faculty of ias chanakya a premiere instititute for civil services want to teach in dubai have unique style of teaching.have taught thousand of student have converted more than 200 student in competititve exams please help me out
regards
manish dixit
Hello Manish,
Teaching qualification is mandatory as per the visa norms of U.A.E. Hence try to complete your B.Ed.
Hello,
I am a teacher looking to change careers. I began teaching when I was 22, I am now 42. I have a BS in Elementary Education and a MA in ECE. I took time off in my early 30’s to stay home with my 2 children. I worked PT during this time on and off. I went back to teaching FT 5 years ago. & I am miserable . So much has changed and not for the better in my opinion. I changed schools districts, tried teaching in a Charter school, but I just don’t have the drive and passion. I once had as a teacher. I want out , but fear is holding me back. I loved your article, but still don’t know where to start in this journey. Any advise would be greatly appreciated!
Hi,
I have teaching experience of 8 years and I am currently teaching in Myanmar for Accounting for AS and A level students. I have a B.Ed , CIDTT and a pre primary and special needs teaching diploma. I have worked in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and Myanmar as a teacher of Kindergarten upwards. I read your article on international teaching and I am planning to acquire an international certification. PGCE would suit my requirements since I will be teaching abroad. Nottingham does not confer QTS and I am not sure if good schools would overlook that. I am looking at a proper distance learning PGCE. Any suggestions ? I will be working abroad for major part of my career since my husband is a diplomat.
Hi Mam,
I just wanted to know which coursel for TEFL or Tesol is more valuable the one certified under the Cambridge university or USA or Canada. I would to teach in Montesaari school abroad could you guide me in which countries are eligible to work abroad.
Hi
I am currently doing my MA(English)and plan to do CELTA after completing it.Where can I work in India after getting a CELTA certificate?
hello ma’am
i am Himani currently pursuing m.tech in vlsi technology. i am deciding of applying for pgce.
is there any luck for teaching jobs abroad without any job experience?
Hi, Ma’am i want to get your guidance. I have done my Bachelor’s From Delhi University. Presently, Doing D.el.ed. Diploma in elementary Education.
By this i can teach upto 8th class. Also, from ignou i am pursuing MA in english.
And i want to teach english abroad. Which course should i do so that i can teach abroad? TEFL? PLEASE Guide. 🙂
I am a postgraduate in applied zoology . Have an experience of 6yrs in teaching. I am on break to look after my daughter from the past 6 yrs. No want to work. But can’t go to school and teach. As I have to take care of my daughter also. What next has become a big question now.
Ma’am, can we do PGCE in English especially? After becoming a PGT teacher in GULF, how much on an average can one earn? Please, clesrify these question. It will help me a lot.
Hello.
I wish to pursure my career in Early child care and education in India but I am not sure how to go about it. What courses should I enroll into it or what other special qualifications is much needed in this sector in India? Please guide me through this. I have a Master’s degree in Environment Science.
Thank you