Career Options On Leaving Teaching

ultimatedingbat · 1 April 2016 at 1:38PM

Hello all!
Little bit of background:
I've been working as a teacher since 2012, first on supply, and then on contract, and now back on supply. I find myself more and more wanting a new career. Changes to the education system at the moment make me less and less happy with my job. I love working with kids, and it's the actual teaching thats putting me off, but I find myself more and more wanting a job where what's expected isn't ridiculous, and I don't walk into my work building at 7.30, walk out at 6.00 with work still to do, and feel guilty for taking a weekend to myself.

My question is what else could I do? I have a first class degree, and I completed my PGCE at a prestigious university. I'd still love to work with children, but right now I'm just having a blank.

Any teachers who have come out the other side: Advice would be most welcome.

DomRavioli · 1 April 2016 at 2:30PM

Have you sought any guidance on this from perhaps the National Careers Service? Their website has a lot of information.

The majority of jobs working with children are either at a lower level and pay scale, or require usually a seperate degree, possibly in either children and young people or social work, specialising in children.

You haven't actually said what you want to do specifically - that would be your first port of call. Once you've figured out what you want to do, then you can seek more apt advice for a chosen career path or job.

Working with kids ranges from nursery nursing to head of child social services, youth worker roles, youth offending, it is such a huge category that it would be stupid to go any further without actually considering which roles would be suitable - bear in mind that most of the roles are not standard hours, involve lengthy on-call periods, and quite a few pay less than teaching.

ultimatedingbat · 1 April 2016 at 3:03PM

Hi Dom
I've got honestly no idea what else I would do at the moment that's the problem. I don't know what I want to do specifically. I love teaching but it's not sustainable. I have a degree so returning to do a second isn't really an option as I can not afford to fund it.
I don't mind being paid less I've come to terms with that most probably situation that I will get paid less.

I don't mind the lack of 'standard' hours, but I want to try and do something where I'm not bringing so much work home anymore. It's not worth it. It's putting a strain on my marriage and my health.

Really I'm just not sure what to do. You've given me some ideas, and I'm not adverse to NOT working with children, I just seem to be coming up with nothing at the moment that isn't stay on supply or go work stacking shelves.

DKLS · 1 April 2016 at 3:05PM

A lot of ex-teachers work in e-learning or training developing learning materials.
Usually with a decent hike in pay and conditions. Many of the skills are directly transferable.

Might be worth checking out.

ultimatedingbat · 1 April 2016 at 3:16PM

DKLS wrote: »

A lot of ex-teachers work in e-learning or training developing learning materials.
Usually with a decent hike in pay and conditions. Many of the skills are directly transferable.

Might be worth checking out.

Thank you I will look into that

pathtofreedom · 1 April 2016 at 3:41PM

I know someone who got a job at a museum to make sure the exhibits were still educational, and not too much fun. I think the ou does courses on how to do that sort of job now. You could just look on some museum websites though and see if you can find jobs that ask for a pgce, and apply and see how you got on without doing a course though.

found this link it might help http://www.museumsassociation.org/careers/postrgraduate-museum-studies-courses

ultimatedingbat · 1 April 2016 at 3:54PM

pathtofreedom wrote: »

I know someone who got a job at a museum to make sure the exhibits were still educational, and not too much fun. I think the ou does courses on how to do that sort of job now. You could just look on some museum websites though and see if you can find jobs that ask for a pgce, and apply and see how you got on without doing a course though.

found this link it might help http://www.museumsassociation.org/careers/postrgraduate-museum-studies-courses

Thank you I will take a look at that! I have applied for a few roles in libraries which I'm quite enthused for.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser · 1 April 2016 at 4:12PM

What is your degree in?

gingerdad · 1 April 2016 at 4:36PM

teach overseas

ultimatedingbat · 1 April 2016 at 4:47PM

ScorpiondeRooftrouser - Creative Writing and Journalism - THis is one option I could return to but I would need to get my NCTJ exam passed

@gingerdad - Not an option I'm afraid. Love my husband too much to leave him here and he doesnt wanna go abroad

speakingofart · 1 April 2016 at 6:40PM

I taught for 3 years and then moved into HR. Got an entry level job, did my CIPD and now work as an HR Officer - best move I ever made, bar none. Job is still difficult and stressful at times, but I work with lovely people and we pull together instead of a constant stream of blame, criticism and inspections!