Teacher Seeking Career Change

Catslovelycats

After 13 years as a teacher and more recently head of dept, I've reached the point when I now want to change career. I am happy to take a pay cut and am looking for something that will give me a better work-life balance as well as being less stressful.

One huge difficulty I see is that as a teacher you have to give 2 months' notice. That makes it virtually impossible to apply for any other vacancies in other sectors, because people don't want to wait 2 months for you to start.

I have considered resigning and doing supply teaching so that I can be readily available, but with a mortgage and living alone, the financial risks are too high.

Anyone any ideas? Or been in the same situation as me that can offer advice?

This isn't a whim. I've felt like this a long time and have only in the last few months decided it's now time to do something about it. I'm so serious that I'm even willing to scupper my MFW plans! :rotfl:

Thanks.

dandelionclock30

What about a Pensions Advisor? Plenty of work in the current climate.
I would think twice too about resigning and doing supply as in my area there is little supply work available for teachers.My friend was made redundant as an English Teacher and she cant get anything on supply!
Careers Advisors/connextions have had massive cuts and are not taking on in my city.
What do you fancy doing?

Catslovelycats

Well, I used to be in banking. I'd consider that. I love admin and would like a job that meant working with people. (Maybe not teenagers...). I've spent ages looking on websites but struggling to find things that I could do with my skills set - there are so many jobs out there the title/description of which I don't understand! It's made me realise I am very limited in my understanding of what is actually out there!

Yes, supply seems to have dried up now schools have cover supervisors and are trying to cut costs. Pensions advisor... I'll look into that. Thanks!

dandelionclock30

You could probably do most things within a support worker role/childrens homes also theres quite a few jobs for groupworkers etc advertised.You could also apply to be one of the work programme trainers etc.Also any type of admin/clerical stuff. Your skills are transferable.The only thing is, its what is available where you are.

ali-t

catslovelycats wrote: »

One huge difficulty I see is that as a teacher you have to give 2 months' notice. That makes it virtually impossible to apply for any other vacancies in other sectors, because people don't want to wait 2 months for you to start.
.

That is rubbish. If an employer thinks a potential employee is worth waiting for they will. In my last couple of jobs I have had to give 8 weeks notice and so have many of my current colleagues. It has never been an issue.

**Juice**

You need to focus on your transferable skills and what you can take to a different role - communications, planning and organisation, written work etc, all of which would be good in an admin role.

I'd agree that some roles like admin support, they might not be keen to wait for 2 months but I think for more "advanced" admin roles such as a PA and things 2 months may not be as much of a problem as you think.

saintjammyswine

Contact Next Step who give very good careers & training advice for people at every stage in their career.

stardrops42

ali-t wrote: »

That is rubbish. If an employer thinks a potential employee is worth waiting for they will. In my last couple of jobs I have had to give 8 weeks notice and so have many of my current colleagues. It has never been an issue.

Thats very true! I've just got a new job working in hospital admin and by the time my references, CRB check and notice are completed they will have waited 10 weeks for me to start! So I think employers are used to having to wait

Oldernotwiser

I'd be prepared for a very large pay cut; most teachers leaving the profession are shocked by how little they would earn in most jobs they can get.

Catslovelycats

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, everyone.
As for a paycut, I'm aware of that and have decided it's well worth it to regain more time and a better social life!

giraffe69

Although you have to give notice of two months (and three in the Summer) the school can choose to waive all or part of that notice and may be prepared to do so if you ask.