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Original poster

Teachers who have left the profession - what next?

56 replies

kkelly82 · 28/01/2023 13:08

Hi there. I’ve been teaching for 15 years and more and more I’m feeling like I’m ready to leave the profession. I know lots of teachers are currently feeling like this. Only trouble is I’m not sure what else I’d do as I work full time and have two children of my own so I rarely have the head space to think through alternative career options properly. It would be interesting to hear the stories of other ex-teachers. What did you go on to do and how did you get into a new career? I currently teach Psychology so if anyone has a background in teaching this particular subject and went on to a related career I’d be really interested to hear what you’re doing now.

Also how did you decide to leave teaching? It seems like such a significant thing to do after being in the profession for so long and I’m worried I’d be making a rash decision! TIA.

OP posts:
Bernadinetta · 29/01/2023 08:56

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 28/01/2023 15:18

There is a Facebook group called life after teaching which has lots of people who have left or who are leaving giving advice and support.

Came on the recommend this too.
The Facebook group is
Life After Teaching- Exit the Classroom and Thrive

chocolateisavegetable · 29/01/2023 08:57

I’m an ex-TA and now work for Children’s Services - more money, work from home and completely flexible. The job advert stated that experience in CS or education would be an advantage.

hryllilegur · 29/01/2023 08:58

You could also consider moving into UX.

I know several former teachers who went into content design / UX writing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
CaptainMyCaptain · 29/01/2023 09:01

Mombingo · 28/01/2023 15:05

Stand up comedy? Seems quite a few are ex-teachers! Grin

Also actors but I think their parents probably made them train as teachers as a 'back up' plan. I people who did drama or performing arts at university but are now teachers so it works both ways.

Abraxan · 29/01/2023 09:05

I left secondary several years ago now. I went into prison Ed. I first taught there and then moved into advice and guidance - seeing prisoners 1:1 to help support them through their sentences and behind, sat on parole/tag/open prison decision boards, set up meetings with outside agencies, etc. Very interesting though you can become institutionalised somewhat if not careful.

I've since returned to state education. I teach in primary now, though I am employed as a HLTA these days. I still teach at least 80% of a timetable but don't have my own class. I cover teacher PPA and absence, I'm a subject specialist, part of the in school safeguarding team, and do most of our social media, blog and website work and monitor the parent email accounts, as well as maintaining any online software packages we are signed up to. Paid much less but have a nit less of the admin side.

Shinyandnew1 · 29/01/2023 09:15

Definitely have a look at that Exit the classroom and Thrive Facebook page-watch the Pit Pony video.

It was 115000 members, so you are not alone!

It’s a shame really as if the government made a few workload changes in Education-removing/significantly reforming Ofsted for one-then they might end the retention crisis in schools. There’s not a shortage of qualified teachers-just a shortage of teachers willing to teach in schools the way they currently are!

TaxCreditsHelp · 29/01/2023 09:35

Off-topic, but still- I went on my DD primary school trip last week. Couldn't be a teacher. The behaviour of some of the kids are just vile and teachers were absolutely powerless to stop them, as mothers would have been to see the headteacher the very next day if any of their 'spirited' kids were disciplined. I was shocked.
No wonder so many teachers leaving the profession :(
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

beezlebubnicky · 29/01/2023 11:04

kkelly82 · 29/01/2023 08:26

@beezlebubnicky Thanks for all your advice. I have considered jobs in the Civil Service as I’d heard lots of ex- teachers go in to this area of work but when I’ve looked at job adverts I found it hard to understand what the jobs fully involve. I’m so used to reading teacher job posts that it’s a whole new lingo!
Do you know of a good starting point to be introduced to the different areas of the Civil Service so that I can be directed towards more specific jobs that suit my interests and skills set?

I would say just spend time going through all the job adverts on the CSJob and you will start to see some that match your skills. Look at roles in policy, strategy, delivery - things like that. You might want to look at jobs in the DfE as they might make a bit more sense and your educational background will be an advantage. That department is full of ex-teachers.

BitOutOfPractice · 29/01/2023 11:06

My DP went back to what he did before: IT Project Management. He’s much happier.

hryllilegur · 29/01/2023 11:06

You might want to look at jobs in the DfE as they might make a bit more sense and your educational background will be an advantage. That department is full of ex-teachers.

Somewhat ironically.

cafesandbookshops · 29/01/2023 11:37

I left teaching at Christmas and I’m now a Healthcare Assistant in the NHS hoping to do a Masters in speech and language therapy. It’s too early to tell whether it’s the right move for me yet but I’m already less stressed and not missing teaching at all!

Original poster
kkelly82 · 29/01/2023 17:36

@TaxCreditsHelp Yep! I’m currently working in a school where there’s lots of entitlement and very little support when students are dismissive and rude. My own family seem to often play second fiddle so a change is needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
kkelly82 · 29/01/2023 17:39

@Shinyandnew1 Exactly! But the government seem to believe that a below inflation pay rise is all that teachers need to stay. They seem oblivious to fact that teachers are leaving in their droves!
I’ll take a look at the video - thanks.

OP posts:
ToffeeCider · 06/02/2023 07:47

There is a FB group Thinking of Leaving Teaching. They shared a website of success stories about teachers who left teaching.

Harrysutton · 06/02/2023 08:11

Taught for three years as a second career and left to join a company as a PA. Worked my way through the ranks and 5 years on earn double what I would have as a UPS3 teacher. Take the leap.

mdh2020 · 06/02/2023 08:11

I taught in secondary schools for 10 years. I was also teaching for the OU and I went to work for them centrally in staff development and then I moved to a London University doing something similar. I went part time before I actually left teaching. You could consider doing a TEFL course.

UnicorseTime · 25/03/2024 13:53

@kkelly82 just wondering if you left and what you do? I was (yet again) googling about leaving teaching and realised I'd posted on this just over a year ago with all the thoughts I have now 😭

UnicorseTime · 25/11/2024 23:27

Oh good lord I've done it again. Googling ex teaching and come back to this thread.

Curious what any of you ended up doing. And rather depressed I've spent 2 years now going round in circles. I need help to get out.

cafesandbookshops · 26/11/2024 06:05

Just wanted to come back to this thread as I was the poster who left to become a HCA. I ended up going back into teaching at Easter as I was struggling financially on my salary as a healthcare assistant.

I still really want to do the masters in speech therapy but am really nervous about surviving off the uni maintenance grants. I’m sure I could pick up extra work at weekends and stuff but just worried about being hit by an extra expense I can’t pay.

UnicorseTime · 26/11/2024 06:21

Oh if you can do it now do do it.. Only that I'm older now and it's even harder with a health condition (well, impossible) to retrain and I so wish I had another string to my bow.

I feel we work so hard and yet I can't escape.

tayba · 08/01/2025 15:15

VioletaDelValle · 28/01/2023 14:11

Careers adviser.
I know lots of ex teachers who have trained to become a careers adviser and are either working in schools or universities.

hey,
a career adviser really interest me how do you go about having relevant experiance for this role :)

MaryGreenhill · 08/01/2025 15:20

My DD2 went into the civil service and has already been promoted after 9 months .
Her friend, who was a deputy head has since joined her . They are both very happy with their jobs , pay , pension and circumstances.

CynicalMe23 · 02/03/2025 16:46

I've been wandering the wilderness of 'what do you do after teaching' for the past ten years..... Be careful! We might think we are well qualified for a number of jobs, can handle workload, stress etc but the rest of the employment world just see us as tea hers (who possibly think we're better than they are...). If you sign with a recruitment agency, you'll find yourself possibly being offered the odd receptionist job on buttons....
If you Google 'jobs for teachers', you'll get a plethora of amazing sounding job titles pop up: project manager, museum educator..... In reality, these jobs don't exist or they go to 'in house' staff.....
Sorry to be so bleak, but it is a bleak situation.
Also, that's the end of your pension, sickness benefit and career progression.
Take.my advise and try to stick with it until retirement.

PS: I'm here looking for (yet again) ideas and 'ways into' a job.....having followed a 'what.jobs can teachers do after teaching' link once again....

CynicalMe23 · 02/03/2025 16:49

UnicorseTime · 25/11/2024 23:27

Oh good lord I've done it again. Googling ex teaching and come back to this thread.

Curious what any of you ended up doing. And rather depressed I've spent 2 years now going round in circles. I need help to get out.

"Me too" (only I stupidly left.....)