Considering change of career but….

[Semiforthewin]

I’ll try and keep it short

20 year + Qualified teacher. Middle level management. Lots of training and people management experience. Salary of upper £40k and not unhappy at work per se. Itchy feet is more where it’s at.

Main breadwinner. Husband lower earner (not the point of this thread) and he does all the school run stuff so no scope for increasing. My job means holidays are largely covered so childcare costs are £0 between us. This obviously has value.

I would like to make a move to something else possibly in the charitable field where I’d feel like I made a difference. Don’t get me wrong I’m a teacher I know we make a difference but in the 20 years I’ve done the job it’s become such a hard won battle and work life balance isn’t great at all.

I’ve tried many times to make a start but all entry level salaries are £30k or less and I simply can’t afford to cut our income so much, especially when it also impacts the school holidays. I joined a FB group about leaving teaching and promptly left as it was unhelpful (lots of whining and not much in the way of actual suggestions).

Am I just being unrealistic? Has anyone done this and if so how?

I think you’re being unrealistic. Charity sector wages are notoriously low and often fixed term appts.

I think your best option maybe to look for a local government or job within eg natural England.

I understand that you want to make a difference. But what do you want to do? That's a broad wish and it would probably be easier to narrow it down, also list transferable skills?

That was just one idea maybe. Other colleagues have made similar moves but to be honest I have no idea of their financial background to allow for it so this is useful information thank you

Thank you for the suggestions. I will start here. I tried local authorities both sides of where I live and found posts but they require social work quals which I don’t have. I might have to consider some upskilling alongside my current role possibly!!

Hi op. No advice but solidarity as I could have written your post. You’re sadly not the only one in the situation. Teaching is paid just enough to make it impossible to leave even when it’s horrific for working conditions.

I want something that allows me to work had and complete tasks that help others. I think over the years the teaching cycle never feels…..complete? There is always something else.

so a sense of completeness is important to me it seems.

transferable skills are all the usual ones that come with teaching, people skills, technical skills, management skills, admin, admin, admin, organisation, admin and more admin. I do not hate my job. In many ways the things I’m describing make it a good fit for me. I just come back around to this feeling with increasing regularity and wondered if anyone had successfully change career whilst maintaining some semblance of financial security.

This is how I feel. Trapped. I appreciate the solidarity. In reality I’ll probably stay but just wanted to know what others experiences are and whether I should just try and put this feeling to bed for the next 35 years if my working life.

Could you reduce work by one day a week and do some voluntary work or get a charity job on that day?

Tell us about your school. Do you feel appreciated and challenged? Do you like abs respect your colleagues?

I’m afraid it’s month to month as it is so I’d love to do this to get some experience but can’t. I might look into weekends however so thank you for the suggestion!

Yes to all of the above and it’s my colleagues who keep me going. No issues. I know it’s reading like “what’s her problem” 🫣 but it’s hard to describe. I’ve done this for so long I feel conditioned and want to know what else is out there. If anything.

Would you consider doing a masters? I think you might struggle to fine something otherwise.
maybe speech and language therapy, social work, occupational therapy?
what was your degree in?

Absolutely I would. I have a law degree at present as well as my pgce. I’d welcome any opportunity to upskill. I’ll explore this thank you

Private tutor, make a whole school, employ other tutors ?

Have a look at the big children’s charities, they often have practitioner posts and team lead posts that need a professional qualification but not necessarily social work. Your teaching experience would also lend itself to learning and development posts in local authority safeguarding and again in the bigger children’s charities if you brush up on safeguarding policy and practice.

In a different direction you could look at working with regulators/professional associations for teaching and learning. Are there research bodies/think tanks for education - they can also have really interesting jobs.

I’m in social work and moved from practice to research and policy work, which pays well and has a good bit of variety.

I think it’s good that you’re thinking widely about what you want to do, your teaching qualification should open doors for adjacent to type roles.

“I would like to make a move to something else possibly in the charitable field where I’d feel like I made a difference.”

The other thing I’d say is that the “making a difference” roles are often practice based posts which pay a pittance - you’re supposed to live on good feelings and love for your fellow man. Instead you have a good range of experience so look for the next level up, or for policy/consultation type posts. You don’t get the warm, fuzzy feelings of direct work but can certainly drive change on a wider scale while also paying your bills.

Maybe do some prep, I work for an Education charity and we as many in the sector do, use Associates who take on short term workstreams. It's a fairly small sector at thos level and the same names pop up again and again. Look on LinkedIn, do something to expand your network and/or look at consulting opportunities.

Op, I understand.
Would you consider doing a qualification like an NPQ? What helped me recently was to really think about what aspects of my job I found enjoyable and rewarding and to make sure I focused on those as much as possible. I give the other stuff the smallest amount of headspace possible.

Hmmm headhunt my colleagues. Now there’s a thought!!

There is some amazing advice here. Thank you so so much

Mature Study and Retraining board, here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mature_students

Ahh yes the warm and fuzzies won’t pay the mortgage I guess. Some great advice here too. I need to do my due diligence clearly. You have all really got me thinking!!!

I’d love to minimise those parts but unfortunately they are the bits that come with the middle level management position I am in. I wish I could work in the classroom and “just” teach and still be paid this. I am definitely going to explore some additional qualifications!

This is something to explore. I’m working to build my LinkedIn network at present and have myself set as open to opportunities as well. I also work for the two major exam boards as an examiner and have done for many years so that’s something to also tap into!