Pipe Dream

EPL

Hi Everyone,

I currently work in the energy industry which I have done since I left school.

Have always had a dream of becoming a teacher. I want to teach Business Studies at GCSE and A-Level.

Wish I had of done it straight after school, but after A-levels I just wanted to start earning and enjoying doing the stuff all 18 year olds do.

I am now 29 and have had enough of the industry I am working in. Seriously considering taking the plunge and training to be a teacher.

Just a few questions for people with any experience.

Have I left it too late ? at the age of 29 ?
Am I kidding myself that I will stand out over new qualified much younger trained teachers than me ?

Any help would or advice would be great

orangeslimes

Surely being older is an advantage especially for business studies - i.e you have experience of working in a business - as opposed to someone who has left school, done a degree and gone into teaching straightaway.

You aren't that old either. I'm sure plenty of people go into teaching in their 40s, 50s.

I suggest volunteering in a school (I think it is a requirement - and also will help you make sure it is for you)

Shoey1610

You can do it! I've just changed careers at the grand old age of 32. Definitely get some experience first though, I was considering teaching but after some experience I realised it was close, but not quite what I was looking for. I now work in a related profession in education.

You just have to take the plunge, so what are you waiting for? :j

Funky_Bold_Ribena

I have just qualified and got my first official teaching job at age 45.

agrinnall

Would I be right in assuming that you went straight into work after leaving school and don't have a degree? If so then as far as I'm aware all teacher training now requires you to have a degree, so you would have to factor in the time and cost needed to get that first. An alternative might be teaching in Higher Education, which may have less stringent requirements and where your experience may have greater relevance.

EPL

That's right, went straight into employment when I finished my A-Levels.

Been doing a bit of research and it is possible to do your degree alongside teacher training. However, with a demanding full time job and two children which I have every Friday till Sunday it would a hell of a lot extra to take on.

Really want to do it one day though

Takeaway_Addict

EPL wrote: »

That's right, went straight into employment when I finished my A-Levels.

Been doing a bit of research and it is possible to do your degree alongside teacher training. However, with a demanding full time job and two children which I have every Friday till Sunday it would a hell of a lot extra to take on.

Really want to do it one day though

Those that succeed with Pipe dreams accept the sacrifices. If you want it enough you will do it, even if life for the next X years is tough.

Also, could you not look at lowering ur hours at work to give u a bit more time, yes you would lose some money but again its a sacrifice that may need to be made.

paddyrg

Great ambition - if you want to pursue it, start now. It is clearly not too late you're just 29. If life was over at 29, I'd be royally screwed as I changed careers twice since then, and am now doing what I always wanted to do :-)

It takes nuts, you'll make compromises along the way, but if it's really your plan you'll do it. Or you'll find you hate it and go back to whatever it is you do now. If you never try though you'll never find out and will always regret never giving it a go. It's far better to regret things you did than didn't do.

National_Careers_Service

Inspirational! It’s nice to see that there are people out there who’ve done it already and who want to spur you on. Of course we have to look at the practical side too. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day and family commitments are a clearly a priority.

All teachers have to work towards QTS or Qualified teacher status but the route towards this can vary depending on the age group you want to teach.

For example:

To become a Further Education lecturer, teaching adults 18 years and over, you’ll need at least a level 3 qualification in the subject you want to teach plus level 2 (GCSE or equivalent ) English, maths and ICT ready to apply for Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS).

To become a Secondary school teacher you’ll need GCSEs (A-C) in English and maths (and science, depending on your teaching subject) or equivalent qualifications. Then you’ll need Level 3 qualifications in order to be accepted to take the Degree.

You can read more about Secondary school teacher training options, bursaries & funding on the Get into teaching section of the Department of education website:

http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching

To find out more about working in Further education or FE why not have a look at the FE Advice website: http://www.feadvice.org.uk/

As for your question about possibly leaving it too late: here’s a question for you: Would you have felt ready to become a teacher five years or more ago? Does extra life experience offer added value perhaps? I’ll leave you to think about that one!

Good luck!