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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I've screwed my career up- anyone else?

146 replies

Minkdeville · 10/09/2025 06:59

It's probably more of a rant than anything.
I qualified as a secondary school teacher 10 years ago back when it was just 1 NQT year and not 2 ECTs.
I'd done a languages degree prior to that, my placement school offered me a fixed term contract but I declined it to go and teach abroad.
I did 3 years abroad teaching in different settings which was great. Came back to try and do the NQT but struggled to get interviews so took on TA/Cover Supervisor and supply work for the next 5 years, as well as tutoring.

I have enjoyed the work I've done but I just wish I did my NQT year 10 years ago. 2 years ago I entered the Civil Service for a change as an Admin Officer. I earn £26.7k a year and make it up to 29 with tutoring and the odd scrap of overtime we have to fight for.

I can't even seem to make it to EO (Executive Officer), which is embarrassing. I got onto a reserve list for 1 role which then expired, and I've made many applications, one personal statement I scored 5s and a 6 but still didn't make it to interview.

Not just applying in my own department but others, EO is a very competitive entry level grade. I honestly feel embarrassed..if I'd stuck with teaching I could possibly be on the Upper Pay Scale by now.

Would a school realistically take on someone to do their ECT 10 years later? My subject is languages which I know is a shortage but still.

I'm honestly pretty down about this and feel like I've wasted everything. Civil Service has an annual pay increase but not always in line with inflation, the application and interview process is challenging and no reflection on your performance or experience.

I know the pension is very good but I actually don't have any other benefits (no flexi!).

OP posts:
Original poster
Minkdeville · 10/09/2025 07:01

So here I am at 35 earning the same as my 18 year old colleagues fresh out of school (it's no disrespect to them, I know they're doing the same work but this wouldn't be the case if I'd stuck with teaching) struggling on quite a low income.

OP posts:
margaritabonita · 10/09/2025 07:03

No advice but yes, me too, I feel you and have solidarity. Thanks for sharing as sometimes I feel like I’m the only one.

InSpainTheRain · 10/09/2025 07:04

Why not apply for language teaching jobs whilst you stoll have your current role and see what you can get? Unless I miss something surely that's the best way to find out what youd be paid in today's market in a language teacher role.

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 10/09/2025 07:04

I’m not sure. When I qualified I had 5 years to complete my ECT induction. NQT may be different, but surely there must be something you could do? Maybe even go again via assessment only route? But you do have QTS, so you could teach in the private sector without having completed the induction.

Original poster
Minkdeville · 10/09/2025 07:06

Thank you, people say different things, apparently that 5 year thing is no longer valid but who knows.
True, I've nothing to lose by applying.
I found the Cover Supervisor role challenging as even though I was in-house behaviour was awful, I got put on an informal support plan and left before it got to formal.

OP posts:
Original poster
Minkdeville · 10/09/2025 07:07

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 10/09/2025 07:06

This is great thanks

OP posts:
Overtheatlantic · 10/09/2025 07:10

Might be better off in a corporate environment. I would look into interpreter training or some other way to use your language skills.

xSideshowAuntSallyXx · 10/09/2025 07:11

Me too. I wish I actually had a career or a dream job. I'm just working for money(and not enough). I took my first job out of university as a stop gap until I decided what I wanted to do. I stayed in it for 10 years, stayed at the company for 16 years. Been at my present job for 3 years. 19 years since I took that stop gap job.

I don't know what I want to do now. I had dreams at university (it's why I went at 25) but with each year that passes it feels like I'm never going to achieve anything.

IHaveRunOutOfIdeas · 10/09/2025 07:11

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 10/09/2025 07:15

Overtheatlantic · 10/09/2025 07:10

Might be better off in a corporate environment. I would look into interpreter training or some other way to use your language skills.

Interpreting is a very different kettle of fish and very much a skill not everyone with ability in other languages has. I also imagine it is one of the roles AI will soon be replacing tbh. Online translation tools are so much better than they were a few years ago, this will surely go the same way.

Overthebow · 10/09/2025 07:21

Overtheatlantic · 10/09/2025 07:10

Might be better off in a corporate environment. I would look into interpreter training or some other way to use your language skills.

Not interpreter, AI has taken over a lot of this and will continue.

TooManyCupsAndMugs · 10/09/2025 07:28

I'd say in my area, you'd be snapped up. There is a real shortage of MFL teachers here- I'm pretty much guaranteed an interview for any job I apply for and I've been the only applicant/interviewee 3 times now. Apply for jobs and see what they say - be upfront about having QTS but no induction and let them help.

JollyGreenSleeves · 10/09/2025 07:28

Why don’t you go straight for HEO grade jobs? It all boils down to how well you can write- and everyone embellishes their examples. Use your teaching abroad as an example- you’ll likely have more from this than an AO grade role. Work coach roles come up all the time. Lots of opportunities for progression in the civil service.

JollyGreenSleeves · 10/09/2025 07:29

Work coaches are EO but you usually get team leading opportunities quite quickly if you’re keen and good at your job.

Trixibell1234 · 10/09/2025 07:32

Sorry I don’t know about inside the profession - the only thing I do know is that my DDs school struggle to keep language teachers - she had an awful year with a churn of French teachers last year. It’s not a bad school either. So hopefully there is a demand which would help. Good luck

Willquery123 · 10/09/2025 07:33

Minkdeville · 10/09/2025 07:06

Thank you, people say different things, apparently that 5 year thing is no longer valid but who knows.
True, I've nothing to lose by applying.
I found the Cover Supervisor role challenging as even though I was in-house behaviour was awful, I got put on an informal support plan and left before it got to formal.

If you were put on a support plan as a Cover Supervisor I definitely wouldn't recommend teaching, the pressure will be far greater and behaviour has not improved.

Our local Facebook group already has posts from teachers who've been back 4 days and are already at breaking point.

Keep looking for CS positions, something will come along but the job market is extremely competitive now.

Trixibell1234 · 10/09/2025 07:34

I do work in the civil service and there isn’t always lots of opportunities for progression. In my experience it’s more a case of people asking you to do more but not compensating you for it because of the processes to go through for more money or regrading etc. Jobs can’t just be created like in the private sector (have 15 years of the private sector behind me).

seahorsegrass · 10/09/2025 07:35

Try applying to a Independent School, they are usually more flexible as they can take on people who don't have a PGCE and fund them through the whole process. Your age and experience in another industry will be an advantage.

Dangermoos · 10/09/2025 07:37

The older you get, you will realise any career wasn't worth the stress.

FirstCuppa · 10/09/2025 07:38

I'd look at the private school route. Sounds like you enjoy teaching and plenty of schools need MFL.

I have a 10+ year gap on my CV from deciding I couldn't afford childcare for the kids, which really knocks your confidence and seems to be impossible to come back from with AI doing so much filtering pre-interview. You're in a better position than many!

Cantbleedingcope · 10/09/2025 07:38

OP just go for it. It’s never too late!

I had fairly ‘normal’ jobs throughout my 20s and 30s due to fitting around kids - think part time receptionist, admin type roles. Low pay, rubbish for any career progression. Though I do actually have a degree in HR.

I then took a stepping stone job for a job that had the job title that I needed to step up in my career - though the job was nothing like the description. Think ‘sales manager’ but it was actually just generally harassing people on the phone all day. Totally miss sold job but I knew it when I took it - I just needed the title on my CV. Stuck at it long enough to get another job with the actual job and title I wanted. That was at 38. Yes I technically lied on my CV (more a slight manipulation) but I knew I could do the job - and I’ve excelled

Im now on more than 3 times the salary I was on at 38 - original salary was double what I was on, it’s slowly increased with my achievements over the years. I now could walk into any similar role with similar pay - in fact I regularly get poaching emails from our competitors

You’ve just sometimes got to seize the moment so to speak and take a leap. Go for it - have faith it will all work out

Sodukuchess · 10/09/2025 07:41

You could contact Teach First and ask if they'd consider you considering your unique circumstances. Then you'd get paid for a guaranteed two years and will have done the first year of your ECT. You'd have to find a job after the two years but your school might keep you on and at least you'd have recent school experience and training.

LillyPJ · 10/09/2025 07:43

If you enjoyed your time teaching, I'm sure there are ways to get back in. I was in the civil service - same grade as you - and much later on did my teacher training. My salary was much better but I found the stress much worse and I was working almost double the hours.

TrimayrAcademy · 10/09/2025 07:47

I don’t have any advice on teaching but I just wanted to say it’s never too late to have a career change and complete more education. You still have another 30 years ahead of you in work so worth the switch.

Maybe look at doing some kind of refresher course to enable you back into the profession.