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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is a salary of 26k unrealistic?

70 replies

thatorangeglow · 05/09/2021 21:40

In my mid 20s and thinking of leaving my job. I've worked as a teacher for the last 5 years and generally really enjoy it, but I feel like it's time for a change and I don't want to look back and regret not experiencing life outside of a school. I've worked out that I need a role with a salary of around 26k to be able to afford to move jobs.

AIBU to expect to find an entry level/new starter role for this wage? (North of England)
I have virtually zero experience outside of education, other than a few retail and bar jobs when at uni. My 1st class degree is also (regrettably) in education. Any suggestions of suitable job roles would also be gratefully received.
I've had a look on job advertisement pages, but feel very overwhelmed at the thought of being mid 20s with no experience outside of teaching when looking at roles with this salary.

OP posts:
Reallyreallyborednow · 05/09/2021 22:28

Social work? Lots of roles in the police for those with an education background as well.

I

ToykotoLosAngeles · 05/09/2021 22:30

Depends on where "north" is. You'd struggle in Huddersfield where I'm from but Leeds or Manchester might offer more options.

I've just moved into financial services in the SW and entry level is around £20k. But the work/life balance is excellent!

ToykotoLosAngeles · 05/09/2021 22:32

I would advise looking into your local council - education officers and similar. It's a lot of meetings though.

I applied for a few entry-level NHS positions and they all went to people within the NHS already.

Reallyreallyborednow · 05/09/2021 22:33

Sorry posted too soon!

Friend of mine joined the police as staff at entry level after burning out in her post grad role. Another is direct entry officer an using those people skills. Both are accelerating fast- they say the police is so wide and varied, and you are actively encouraged to move roles and find your niche. There are a lot of trainer positions too if you still want to “teach”. My friends basic entry role was 19-20k, but with shifts and overtime ended up nearer that 26k. She’s been in role 2 years and has just secured a move up the scale so will be nearer 35k.

PlanDeRaccordement · 05/09/2021 22:35

Fair Isle are looking for headteacher for school with only 3 pupils. Salary is £57k.

ThanksItHasPockets · 05/09/2021 22:36

Are you sure it’s not just itchy feet? Have you considered a different school or a promoted role? Sabbatical or secondment?

It is strange to me that you would leave a job that you enjoy because of a potential regret that you might have in the future.

PrincessNutella · 05/09/2021 22:36

That doesn't seem like that much money to ask for!

Mammyloveswine · 05/09/2021 22:41

Civil service..there are loads!

Join the Facebook group "exit the classroom"

wellbehavedwomen · 05/09/2021 22:42

Civil Service Fast Stream.

Starts at that level, goes up to 30 something after a couple of years, and then you're in the 50k range 4 years from starting out.

me4real · 05/09/2021 22:44

A 1st will look good regardless of what it's in.

But could you perhaps tryolerate working in a different type of education, for instance a college etc? A friend has moved from teaching secondary to in a college.

I assume it's primary you're teaching but you could gradually move towards doing that.

The other think people find more relaxing is working with kids with SEN (I know that's paradoxical but I think it's that they can work outside of the normal school structure a bit, also maybe that there are less kids at once. An aquaintance then moved to being involved with a forest school (she also used to run something like that during the holidays.)

Some sort of move into a less unpleasant sphere of education is probably the easiest way to go.

wellbehavedwomen · 05/09/2021 22:45

It doesn't matter what your degree is in, and the Fast Stream don't care about ages either. EO type roles are paid far less well and tbh I don't think the responsibility is less, just the academic demands of the job (in my DH's case, at least, it may vary).

If you have no degree, then entry level Civil Service is a great idea, as you can then get on to Fast Stream without a degree, anyway. But if you do have one, why not skip that and move straight to it? It's September, schemes should be starting imminently.

CurbsideProphet · 05/09/2021 22:45

I'm NW England and there aren't any civil service or local council jobs where I live. I'm a graduate and earn £22k which isn't great (but equally isn't terrible for the area) in a non graduate job. If I were you I would stay in teaching but try to widen into something like mentoring new starters etc. In a few years the job market will hopefully open up and then you'll have more choices.

Original poster
thatorangeglow · 05/09/2021 22:47

@ThanksItHasPockets yes, I'm pretty sure it's the right time to go. I know it sounds strange, especially to those who don't teach. It also puts things into perspective seeing older colleagues and the toll the job has taken on them and their personal lives. I'd rather leave now and try something new, I can always return to teaching/supply teaching but if I don't try and leave now there will come a time when I'm not in a position to to do so anymore, and I know I will regret it.

OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 05/09/2021 22:48

Join the railway. Guards are on £30k+, drivers on £50k+, signallers could be anything from £26k to £49k depending on the intensity of the work at their location) for 35hr weeks spread over either four or five days (plus Sundays for the operators which have them as overtime instead of as part of the basic week). Some antisocial start and finish times of course, plus weekend work. They are very keen on recruiting women which would help you. Many of the guards I know came from a variety of walks of life before joining the railway - one I trained with was previously a childminder.

AwkwardPaws27 · 05/09/2021 22:49

Check out the Civil Service Fast Stream. Doesn't matter what degree you have for most schemes - everything from HR to Digital to Comms, and there's a Generalist track too. £28k starting, rising to £32k. If you secure a G7 role at the end (3-4 years depending on the scheme) you could earn in the region of £45k.

I think applications open later this month, for entry in Sept/Oct 2022.

Flyingantday · 05/09/2021 22:51

Police?

Ace56 · 05/09/2021 22:52

OP, I was in your exact same position 18 months ago, except I’m in London. Ended up being offered a civil service job (as others above have suggested, it’s a good idea to go for these, although not sure about availability up north?). However I ended up working in university professional services and am now earning more than I did as a teacher (I quit after my third year though, not 5!). I don’t regret the career change for a minute. Good luck.

turnthebiglightoff · 05/09/2021 22:56

@icedcoffees I did it for 20 years, I have some understanding of it! The shift side can be challenging but works for some people, especially those juggling younger kids. The money can be great and managing people is a transferable life skill you can take anywhere.

RubyFowler · 05/09/2021 22:59

Have a look on NHS jobs as well. You'd be looking for a band 5 i think for that salary. Lots of different departments and specialisms available.

Original poster
thatorangeglow · 05/09/2021 23:00

@Ace56 This is encouraging to read! I'm glad it worked out well for you. How did you end up in university professional services and how did you find the adjustment from the classroom to your new role?

Thank you all for the suggestions so far. I'm definitely going to check out the fast stream, I always thought this was for those under 21. I just feel so daunted by a role outside of teaching, but hopefully I will pick it up as I go along.

OP posts:
RubyFowler · 05/09/2021 23:01

I just feel so daunted by a role outside of teaching, but hopefully I will pick it up as I go along

Of course you will! Don't underestimate yourself.

ODFOx · 05/09/2021 23:02

BEd? 2 year degree akin to a foundation?

It's a great indicator of potential but if there's opportunity to convert it into a full BSc or BA I'd do that, even if it takes a couple of years part time . Both of those plus your experience will stand you in better stead than a BEd alone.

emsyj37 · 05/09/2021 23:10

@CurbsideProphet there is a huge recruitment drive for compliance caseworkers in HMRC in the North West at the moment.

emsyj37 · 05/09/2021 23:11

The fast stream is a great option. I did a civil service graduate scheme (not fast stream but same sort of thing, progression to G7 after 4 years training) and it is an interesting and flexible career.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 05/09/2021 23:17

@ODFOx

BEd? 2 year degree akin to a foundation? It's a great indicator of potential but if there's opportunity to convert it into a full BSc or BA I'd do that, even if it takes a couple of years part time . Both of those plus your experience will stand you in better stead than a BEd alone.
A BEd is a full bachelors’ degree in the same way that LLB or BEng are.