Aibu to ask if you left teaching, what did you go on to do

[whenweallfallasleep]

I hope people won't mind sharing what careers they went on to when they left teaching. I'm in my seventh year, pregnant with DC 2, and DS Has just turned two.

I'm finding myself thinking more and more about leaving the profession. I have a TLR currently and my school is good, but I can't see myself doing this for the Rest of my career. I'd rather work until 6 and then not have to think about work every single night and every weekend.

I don't know where to start- should I expect a big drop in pay? Should I wait until DV are school age?

I have 4 A graded at A Level, straight A*s for GCSE, a first class degree from a good uni-
I feel like when I compare myself to my friends they're earning more, more free time, more perks to their jobs.

• A grades
• DC

SORRY- typing and walking!

I have two friends who used to teach. One works in PR for a big company and the other retrained as an accountant.

The grass definitely isn't always greener though. 25 days a year holiday came as a bit of a shock to them both and took some adjusting to (obviously childcare costs increased massively).

I was a HoD on UPS3 with a TLR 1d and working 60+ hours week. DS was in nursery full time as my husband works full time also.

It depends on what you do as to whether you should expect a drop in pay. I "retired" last year and have just finished my first year out of teaching after more than a decade in the profession. With reduced childcare costs I bring home the same as I used to but spent two days each week with my son (the others were free preschool hours) and only work around 20 hours a week. Although that went up to over 100 during exam season but I do crazy amounts of marking for those two months!

I work as a private tutor - this year I'll be working 3 evenings a week 4-9 and one weekend afternoon. Plus whatever work my exam board throws my way. My subject(s) specialism means I always have far more demand than I can keep up with, but that is very subject dependent - my calendar for this academic year booked up by May.

Evening work isn't always great but we have an awesome nanny who bridges the gap between me leaving for work and my husband coming home which works well for us at the moment. I've also come to realise that continuing teaching (in the school and role I was in) wouldn't have been compatible with DS starting school this year, it would have been a childcare nightmare.

I’m a police officer now, but that’s certainly not 9-5.

I didn't mean that to sound braggy by the way - I put off quitting for so long because I thought there was no way I could earn a living tutoring and even if I did I'd never be able to earn close to enough. I wish I'd realised sooner that it was possible. Would have saved me a nervous breakdown and lots of therapy!

I went into 1:1 advice and guidance with young people. Employed by the local authority but these jobs are more often now employed by academies directly. From there i went into local authority project management

main stream primary teacher to teaching English as a second language. money is crap but work life balance is good.

Personal Assistant

I left 5 years ago after 12 years in secondary. Have been working for a company that tutors children who are out of education for a variety of reasons. All cases are 1:1 or 2:1 and although I don’t get paid throughout holidays, the pay is h that you can set some aside to cover the holidays. It’s such a laid back job compared to being in a school. I will never go back to being a classroom teacher. Hours are short too in comparison and you can choose which days (or half days) you want to work. It’s a nationwide company so feel free to pm me for more details.

Left after 7 years and now in probation. It's still got its challenges, but in my opinion has been more family friendly

I trained & decided not to practice, so a little different to some on here, but I then did 4 years in retail management and now I'm an administrator in the civil service, in defence. I'd like to progress up the ranks in my sector. I'm still glad I did teacher training though! I took a lot away from the experience.

I work for an exam board

I left after 7 years of going from temporary contract to temporary contract. Because alot of these were done through agencies, I worked out that when all the hours were taken into consideration I was earning less than minimum wage - and I still had to have a second job to cover school holidays. English is a hugely over subscribed subject. I now make blinds for a living, but I'm not waiting by the phone for work anymore and my free time is my own.
I do sometimes miss teaching and it wasn't just the money that triggered my want to leave

My friend did it. She is now a Careers Advisor. Drop in holidays but better work life balance in the working week, but she is now on 35k. She did do a professional qualification but it was funded and she did it at night school.

Depends in what your degree is in.

I've worked with various ex-teachers in the IT industry - some are project managers while others do more technical jobs. And a couple are good friends.

I teach 1-1 as a tutor in an alternative provision setting for three days a week, and do 3.5 hours private tuition.

Paramedic. As others have said, loss of long summer hols/childcare and shifts took a bit of getting used to but easier as the DC get older. Far happier and FAR less stressed.

I left after 24 years and set up my own sports coaching business. I work for myself and by myself and love it. I'm poorer but a lot happier and a lot less stressed. I've a lot more free time too. I only wish I'd done it sooner!

I know lots of friends who have left. They are : police officer, police call handler, cafe owner, accountant, still a teacher but in the hospital school so all year round but much shorter days.