To want a job, any job, but just not in teaching!

[LorlieS]

I need out!

20 years in education but enough is enough.

Any suggestions re my next job? 😀

@cardibach The more I think about it, the more I need to get out of education. ASAP before it gets even worse!
What do you do now?

Was. The earliest is 55 now, and they do an actuarial reduction s9 they aren’t paying any more, don’t worry.

@cardibach Wouldn't have made it to 55! Not a chance!

I’m old, fortunately! I’d already done over 30 years. I took early retirement at 55 and now do supply work. Aiming to reorganise my expenditure so that I can stop even that soon.

55 is extremely generous!

Do it and then do supply. It’s a bit dodgy at the moment because schools are trying everything not to spend on cover but if you have a more or less full career to that point and no mortgage you’ll be ok. Give TP a ring and they’ll help you work out the figures to see if it works for you.

Did you read the bit about it being reduced as a result?
Teachers have often been told we don’t get the lay because our pensions are taken into account, and then people knock the pensions. It’s not even the youngest state supported (not funded - we fund a chunk ourselves) pension. Maybe if it such a fab and easy option you should have done it yourself?

@Loafbeginsat60 I work for myself. I initially started with a fb ad and now I’m word of mouth, full with a waiting list but I only do Mon-Thurs 3.30-7.30. I could fill Fridays too but I choose not to.
i could also explore day time work and I do sometimes have college resit students (I teach maths) or adult learners but I haven’t pushed this side of it.

@cardibach It's almost as if teaching should have NO advantages isn't it?! Like you say, we fund it ourselves too. But no, no, you shouldn't even get by upon retirement. God forbid. Teaching is a vocation after all. Oh I forgot the many holidays we have. Always expensive and busy of course, but still holidays. No marking or anything like that in them. No going into school over the summer (unpaid again).
@TizerorFizz Are you a teacher? 😀

@imatapayphone Your job sounds like the sort of thing I'm looking for!
May I ask about your Msc? Was it specifically in counselling/therapy? I will need something part-time as will need to be earning at the same time as studying!

It's wonderful that you have a plan and it uses your skills and leans more to the passion you've expressed of really engaging with children and helping them, while cutting out all of the parts of your current role that make your miserable. And great that your husband is supportive, too. How exciting! New Year, new start, as the saying goes.

Nice to see a happy resolution to a thread! Please do update it with how you're doing as you go make the change (selfishly, reading happy stories cheers me up!)

@InfraredMarbles Thank you so much. There is much I have to work out (mostly how the hell do I find a part-time job where I can earn enough to pay the rent and bills and study at the same time?!!) but the thought of actually training for something I am so passionate about feels exciting.
Watch this space!

Sorry for garbled message. Too tired. Hope it is vaguely understandable regardless. Good luck!

Will check back in for your updates!

The suggestion upthread about tutoring might be a stopgap and flexible way to earn a good hourly rate part time while you study?

Do you have a local uni? Friend of mine works part time as a mentor to teaching students.

Hi, yes was an MSc in counselling which included placement and led to BACP registration when I graduated so I came out of it a qualified counsellor.

Uni was 2 full days a week in the first year and one in the second year, had to find time for a placement (100 hours) and fortnightly Supervision.

It was monster hard to juggle and lots of people dropped out.

I'd only do it if you're passionate about counselling, not because you hate education if that makes sense.

You'll have to be prepared to attend your own personal therapy which you'll have to pay for yourself, my student loan was more than the fees so did cover this.

@LorlieS If you become self employed, you would understand what funding a pension truly costs. Teachers make a relatively dnelk contribution. The state makes a substantial one. It’s a pension based on salary and years. It’s protected from market fluctuations. Sadly teachers and others don’t recognise the huge benefit of this. I too have such a pension and I do recognise its value. If the state reduced its enormous contribution to pensions, maybe teachers could get higher wages?

We do recognise the benefit of it. Why on earth do you think we don’t? Without it the haemorrhage of teachers would be even worse. But you think it’s too much and available (reduced) too early, so I guess that’s what you want.
I’ve been a teacher/supply teacher for 35 years - we’ve often been told our pay is lower than equivalently educated professions because the pension is taken into account. It’s part of the deal we all sign up to. Unfortunately the rest of the deal has been so fucked about with by the last 13 years that it’s not enough to hold people any more.

Schools found it difficult to recruit all through the last Labour government too. Of courses wages could be increased if pension contributions from the government were reduced. It’s clear many don’t value them as they went to do a reduced number of hours and be self employed. It’s not keeping teachers or attracting teachers at all. So why not change it and have a greater salary? Or at least have a choice?

Teaching is not the worst paid grad profession either. As most teachers never see what others get they do not always make the best comparisons. As many stem grads can get other jobs, I do agree to comparisons there. Arts grads, not so much. Plus around here I see teachers retiring before anyone else and many have had well paid HOD jobs in schools or better. Heads are on £100,000 plus so decent earnings to aspire to.

@whyphone Thank you so much. This is so useful. I've had a look and there is a local MSc BUT it's not BACP accredited which puts me off? Not sure where my nearest BACP one is.
I'm incredibly passionate about counselling and know this is absolutely where I want my career to go. 100%.
The biggest issue for me might be that I have a 3.5 yo? She starts school in September but realistically would I be able to do an MSc whilst also working pt and around her?
My other two kids are 14 and almost 17 so not an issue 😀

In addition, 58% of grads in Lincolnshire don’t do graduate level work. Cumbria isn’t far behind. Hopefully these areas are not short of teachers. The dislike of teaching by teachers that comes across loud and clear puts people off. Who wants to join a complaining workforce? Many want to work in a happy and supportive atmosphere. Not a striking one or a negative one. Schools and mats have the power to change the ethos and atmosphere in a school but often highly paid SLTs are poor and not good enough. After all they are teachers, not job design specialists.

@TizerorFizz Why do you think so many teachers take early retirement?
Answer: Totally burn out.
My dad was one of them. Best thing he ever did.

@LorlieS He was hugely fortunate he could. Yet you decided to do the same job. Why? Many people burn out by the way. Often with the stress of keeping businesses afloat. You would know if you attempt that. No job is plain sailing for good money, It’s folly to think the grass is always greener. You can have what you think looks better but for many jobs the pressure is relentless and far less holidays to recover.

@TizerorFizz You clearly don't understand teaching. No point saying any more. As for good money. Really?!!!

My neighbour earns £650 a day as a locum EP and is raking it in. She loves it.