I've been a public school teacher since 2003. My only experience in the corporate world is working for a year at UCS after graduating from A&M.

I work real estate on the side, but I'm really looking to get into a new career with much higher earning potential. I've never built up my LinkdIn. If you were looking to hire someone as a career changer, what would you be looking for in a resume? How can I parlay 22 years of teaching and instructional design experience into something that provides a better life for my family and me?

Curious- how is your pension situation? Is that going be a big hit leaving the classroom?

It will take a big hit, but if I can get my income up to where we can actually build some savings, I figure that will offset my loss of potential pension income.

I wrapped up year 21 in May. In order to maximize my pension, I've got another 21 years to go.

ABattJudd said:

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I've been a public school teacher since 2003. My only experience in the corporate world is working for a year at UCS after graduating from A&M.

I work real estate on the side, but I'm really looking to get into a new career with much higher earning potential. I've never built up my LinkdIn. If you were looking to hire someone as a career changer, what would you be looking for in a resume? How can I parlay 22 years of teaching and instructional design experience into something that provides a better life for my family and me?

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I wish you the best of luck. I got into teaching later in my career because I really wanted to coach. Still love coaching but the classroom garbage is driving me crazy. I don't know if I will continue this after my kids are out of school (my youngest is in 8th grade) simply because of the classroom. Its mainly the SPED/504 stuff that I can't tolerate.

ABattJudd said:

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I've been a public school teacher since 2003. My only experience in the corporate world is working for a year at UCS after graduating from A&M.

I work real estate on the side, but I'm really looking to get into a new career with much higher earning potential. I've never built up my LinkdIn. If you were looking to hire someone as a career changer, what would you be looking for in a resume? How can I parlay 22 years of teaching and instructional design experience into something that provides a better life for my family and me?

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.

You may look going to university route. That is what I'm doing now after 10 years of teaching. Same retirement (I'm in TN, so don't know what TX does) - but, my take home pay is higher because the school system would take out a % of each check matched by the district while the college fully funds my retirement. Plus, greatly expanded ability to move laterally or upward to other positions now that I'm in the system. I'm in a management position in a role that they want to eventually expand to the entire university - not just the dept I currently serve. Parking sucks, but all the benefits of less stress, etc are so much better. Met a professor yesterday who also had a similar background as me (taught HS for 10 years) - they said they were much happier now. I was already going to finish up a 2nd masters degree in Wildlife - to be able to teach adjunct later on.

I'm so much happier that I don't have to deal with idiotic students, parents, and administrators.

That's an option I've thought about. I'm in Florida, and got my Ed.D. at UCF.

ABattJudd said:

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That's an option I've thought about. I'm in Florida, and got my Ed.D. at UCF.

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IMHO, you should definitely explore it. If I had a Masters in something other than education, I'd teach in the community college level. That is kind of the sweet spot for me teaching-wise. I'm working on another masters in Science since school is free - currently taking a semester off to better learn this job. My wife worked on the community college level and really enjoyed it. I worked for them part time teaching GED classes, and also enjoyed it.

This is something I have been considering for several years for a multitude of reasons. I am in year 14 and have worked in various levels of education, from elementary to high school, at the 2a through 5a level. I have coached just about every high school sport you can think of (good ol 2a coaching staffs!). I have had years where I coached 4 sports and was hardly ever home. Being married with 2 young sons who are 2 and 4, my perspective has certainly changed in recent years. As my boys get older, I want to be able to be available for whatever it is they are involved in.

I also have some autoimmune problems, which I manage and take care of well, but would like to eventually find something less stressful on the mind and body, that also allows for a flexible schedule, and can help my family get more financial freedom and stability for my family in the future.

I graduated from A&M in 2012 and graduated with M.ED in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2019. I thought administration was something I wanted to do, but after a stint doing that, it was not what was best for me.

If I am to leave the classroom, I want to find something completely out of the field, but I am struggling to find a starting point.

I saw where it was mentioned teaching at the community college level, but I was under the assumption your Master's degree had to be within the certain field, so I have been unsure if that is an option.


Thank y'all!

canaAg12 said:

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This is something I have been considering for several years for a multitude of reasons. I am in year 14 and have worked in various levels of education, from elementary to high school, at the 2a through 5a level. I have coached just about every high school sport you can think of (good ol 2a coaching staffs!). I have had years where I coached 4 sports and was hardly ever home. Being married with 2 young sons who are 2 and 4, my perspective has certainly changed in recent years. As my boys get older, I want to be able to be available for whatever it is they are involved in.

I also have some autoimmune problems, which I manage and take care of well, but would like to eventually find something less stressful on the mind and body, that also allows for a flexible schedule, and can help my family get more financial freedom and stability for my family in the future.

I graduated from A&M in 2012 and graduated with M.ED in Educational Leadership from Liberty University in 2019. I thought administration was something I wanted to do, but after a stint doing that, it was not what was best for me.

If I am to leave the classroom, I want to find something completely out of the field, but I am struggling to find a starting point.

I saw where it was mentioned teaching at the community college level, but I was under the assumption your Master's degree had to be within the certain field, so I have been unsure if that is an option.


Thank y'all!

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You have to have a masters in the subject you want to teach, or a masters + 18 hours in the subject you want to teach. My wife had her Masters in Education - C&I, but she taught developmental classes on the community college level, which don't require a masters. Just a bachelors in what you want to teach.

I'd suggest looking into staff positions with local community colleges, universities, etc. I'm the manager of a testing center (in the Math dept), and it's waaaaaaaay lower stress (almost none at all), and I have 5 weeks of vacation time, 3 weeks of sick time, 2 optional days, 1.5 weeks of Christmas vacation, and 13 other holidays. All told - about 10 weeks off per year. It's a much better work/life balance. Feel free or reach out if you'd like.

I am in the process of leaving education as well. I'm in the DFW area and I started by talking to friends about what my thoughts and plans were. They connected me with some people that I was able to chat with on an informational level. From there, I was able to narrow down what I wanted to do and actually contacted a few parents of kids I had coached in the past and let them know what I was trying to do. You would be surprised how many people want to help the person that poured a lot into their kid's life. Let me know if you want to chat offline about this. Happy to help anyway.

Thank you for the information! Certainly something to look into.

Excellent, I will send you a message.

I'm in year 17 and attempting to make this my final year, too. I'm beyond lost on where to start. Majority of the people I talk to on a regular basis are educators. I'm in Houston but do not teach in HISD. I'm in a district that is very rigorous when it comes to STAAR.
If anyone has any advice, I'm open to hear it. I've presented twice yearly at the district level to teachers on different techniques used and enjoy that, but also have a double major and masters from A&M. My other BS degree is Psych.
Thank you in advance for any tips/advice.

I think the first step is to understand why you want to leave education. 2nd step is to find out what you want to do. I just accepted a job and will be starting after Christmas but it was a year long process to get to the point I was ready to leave education, narrow down what I wanted to do, and the begin applying for roles. Let me know if you want to chat. I'm happy to share my experience.

aggieshan05 said:

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I'm in year 17 and attempting to make this my final year, too. I'm beyond lost on where to start. Majority of the people I talk to on a regular basis are educators. I'm in Houston but do not teach in HISD. I'm in a district that is very rigorous when it comes to STAAR.
If anyone has any advice, I'm open to hear it. I've presented twice yearly at the district level to teachers on different techniques used and enjoy that, but also have a double major and masters from A&M. My other BS degree is Psych.
Thank you in advance for any tips/advice.

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What are all your degrees in?

Like the previous poster said - figure out what you want to do.

I'd suggest looking at university and community college positions. Easy transition.

Yes! I would love to chat more. I'm definitely in the mindset to leave. I have been for years. It has just become for front this year as I realize I can't do it any longer.
Let me know how to connect with you and I'm happy to chat. Thank you!

I have a BS in Education and Psych (double majored) and a M.Ed. In School Counseling. I have several friends who are school counselors and they have said to "run" from that idea.
I am truly interested in corporate training, graphic design, and even ed tech.

aggieshan05 said:

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I have a BS in Education and Psych (double majored) and a M.Ed. In School Counseling. I have several friends who are school counselors and they have said to "run" from that idea.
I am truly interested in corporate training, graphic design, and even ed tech.

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You may have to start somewhere lower. My wife and I are both former teachers. She got a temp job that turned into an "admin asst", although she does more complex duties and does client training.

Key aspect - talk to friends/family/etc. Network the hell out of people you know and people they know.

I'm getting out this fall…let me know if you need any help or want to bounce ideas around. Happy to be a sounding board.

It is getting difficult to justify the career for the amount we get paid. Then, if you are involved in anything extra-curricular they throw a stipend at you that is literally cents per hour. There has to be some things out there that is less stress and better compensation, as well as more time with my wife and two boys. Good luck finding your next avenue.... I am beginning my search for where to start now as well.

canaAg12 said:

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It is getting difficult to justify the career for the amount we get paid. Then, if you are involved in anything extra-curricular they throw a stipend at you that is literally cents per hour. There has to be some things out there that is less stress and better compensation, as well as more time with my wife and two boys. Good luck finding your next avenue.... I am beginning my search for where to start now as well.

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Literally anything is better than teaching. I had a friend who was an area manager in a local grocery chain. I did the Asst Mgr training for 3 months (before I got my current position). It was fine. Hours were all over the place, but the everyday work was fine.

You forget how much other normal jobs don't suck as much as teaching.

Other than what I did in high school and college, education and coaching have been my career. So finding a new pathway has been more difficult than I have thought. I am looking for something more flexible for sure. I have already missed a lot in my young kids' lives due to coaching schedules that I want something that will allow me to be around as much as possible and be involved with them in whatever activities they choose as they grow up.

What did you end up transitioning into?

AgCoach24 said:

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What did you end up transitioning into?

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I'm a testing center manager at a university. My retirement is the same as when I was a teacher (but better).

To the OP: I'm not sure how it works in Florida, but if you're even remotely interested in keeping/maximizing your pension, look for other entities that utilize the same retirement system.

I'm in Texas and my wife is a teacher, but I work for a state run hospital. We both contribute to TRS.

She is currently in her 4th year of teaching.... and now at her 3rd school. She finally seems to be in a highly desirable position (stable and supportive admin, only GT students, a good district that retains teachers really well) so she's not entertaining the idea of leaving, but if it ever happens, I'll have her looking for an easy position within my hospital system.

canaAg12 said:

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Other than what I did in high school and college, education and coaching have been my career. So finding a new pathway has been more difficult than I have thought. I am looking for something more flexible for sure. I have already missed a lot in my young kids' lives due to coaching schedules that I want something that will allow me to be around as much as possible and be involved with them in whatever activities they choose as they grow up.

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That's why the key is networking. 80%+ jobs that people get are not listed OR already have a candidate identified when they list them. Working at a university is a bit different - once you get in, it is much easier to find a job as an internal candidate. Heck, they have an entire department at my employer to help employees to find the best job for them - resume assistance, interviewing, etc. In my first 2 weeks of working here, I was told no less than 10 times that if my current job wasn't the best for me - I could interview for a different job after 6 months. It's really unusual to me (coming from the teaching field) to have this policy. Heck, it's like I have PTSD from teaching - the environment is much more laid back here. Plus, the benefits are great (around 10 weeks of time off per year - vacation, sick, holidays, etc).

I'd highly suggest former teachers apply at local colleges and universities, because a) work calendar is similar, b) retirement should be similar if not the same and c) much different environment that public school teaching.

Awesome info! I appreciate that! This decision has been in the back of my mind for sometime, but the execution part of actually putting the change into practice is coming much more quickly than I thought it would, so I am grateful for any info like this that people are willing to share!

canaAg12 said:

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Awesome info! I appreciate that! This decision has been in the back of my mind for sometime, but the execution part of actually putting the change into practice is coming much more quickly than I thought it would, so I am grateful for any info like this that people are willing to share!

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Where do you live?

I would agree that most of the jobs we as teachers will transition into will come from networking. I would encourage any of the teachers who are thinking about making the change to construct a list of people you know and the industry they work in. Then reach out to understand more about their role and company. I would also encourage them to think about any parents of students they know and do the same thing.