Making career decisions

[Deleted User]

Worry_Wart wrote: »

It's not like you're going to lose your IT skills either, so with a bit of effort you could go back to your current line of work in the future should you need to.

In IT, you've got to constantly train on the latest-and-greatest.

If you jump out of IT now, the stuff that is current now will be old hat in 2-3 years. If you're a project manager, that might be different, but techies need to keep rapidly up to date with things.

HOWEVER.. I did once have a chat with a secondary school IT teacher on the train once (Yes, I'm northern and I talk to strangers) and he seemed to love his job. I can't imagine you can be *just* and IT teacher though; wouldn't you need another subject to fill in the hours?

pinkteapot

I was in a "good" career and earning six figures. I had no passion for the job and gave it up two years ago (aged 31). I now earn a quarter of what I did before and I couldn't be happier - I'm doing something I love.

Now is the best time to do it. You presumably don't have a huge mortgage that would force you to keep earning what you're earning. Give it ten years and you might have that, plus a few kids making the budget tight!

As others have said, it is easier (not easy, but easier) to change careers now than it was 40 years ago. You sound to me like you'd regret not giving teaching a go in the future, and if it doesn't work out then you can leave and do something else.

It is hard to make the leap. One of my friends retrained into a completely different career in his early 30s. He had to give up a well-paid job, spend a year at college (not earning plus paying for college), then start out on less money than he'd been earning before. But, like me, he's doing a job he's passionate about now and doesn't regret it for a moment.

If your current circumstances allow you (financially) to follow your heart, then you're in a better position than many and I'd say go for it.

Timeflies

I agree with what the others have said, that work is a big part of your life, so do aim to work at something you enjoy!

From a practical point of view, are you too late to start a PGCE in September 2014? If so, working in this new role for a year may give you some useful experience - e.g. to use as real life examples to enliven your teaching, and prestigious experience for any future career moves.

If you're not too late for September 2014, then great, you have a choice between gaining a little more practical experience before starting a PGCE, or going into it straight away, good luck with your application!:T

January20

I'm a teacher. Do it!
If you don't like it, you can go back to your original career, but if you have such a pull to be a teacher, I bet you will love it.

chucknorris

OP have you thought about working towards becoming a lecturer in your field of computing? I'm a chartered quantity surveyor but left the industry years ago (early retirement in my early 40's) but then returned to work about 10 years later to lecture in quantity surveying at a university (they gave me paid time off to study and paid the fees for my PGCE and if I wanted to (I don't) will extend that to a MA in HE or a PhD.


In my case the money wasn't a factor, but that said, although the gross pay is less than I earned in industry, when you take into account the additional holidays, shorter working days (generally) and the public sector pension, the real value IMO is lecturing rather than working in industry (by some margin).

gallygirl

LondonTop wrote: »

My parents are definitely the proud type, and I know it would hurt them, but it's not their life!

"My son had the courage to give up a great, well-paying job to pursue his dream. He's now a dedicated teacher and I'm so proud of him". Sorted :T.

Seriously, I've two grown up children and knowing they had the courage and determination to follow their dream rather than just count the £££'s would make me incredibly proud :j. If your parents are shallow enough to be impressed only by money then that's their lookout. Hopefully they'll change their minds when they see how happy you are.

So, pressed the button yet?

GoldenShadow

You are young, and so if you get this job offer I would probably take it, apply for a PGCE from Sept 2015 if that is still what you really want and save up in the meantime.

PGCEs are hard! Apparently the dropout rate for things like Teach First are ridiculously high. As you are so young, I would probably consider it for a year more unless you are 100% certain you will have no regrets. I know a fair few who think they want to teach and all they want to do is leave now they're 30, but feel they have nothing else they can do.

tootallulah

Have you looked at Teach First? You sound like an ideal candidate and computing IT is an area with a shortage of candidates and really good teaching opportunities. A job that you are passionate about transforms your life, you are young and may have many different career paths over your life. Do what makes YOU happy.

tootallulah

I should say that I mentor Teach First candidates and I do not see a huge drop out in candidates in STEM subjects.

LondonTop

Hi all,

I sent off my PGCE application today, so fingers crossed.

I've looked into Teach First as well, and it seems like a great programme - particularly because you stay within one school so there's much more stability and time to get to know the kids, unlike a PGCE. I love the idea of just getting stuck in and going for it.

I know someone who is a Teach Firster, so I'll grill them for some advice.

Teach First applications for 2015 are now open as well. I'm not sure if you're allowed to apply for a PGCE and Teach First, however as they're for different intake years, I cannot see why there would be a problem. Maybe I'll give them a call!

Regarding the interview I had yesterday - They've decided to go with another candidate. Maybe my lack of enthusiasm was prevalent on the day?