Can I ask how you got into teaching?

[NextInLine]

How did you all get into teaching?
I think, very sure, this is what I want to do, I have completed the first year of my degree, so another two to go.
I want to work within a Primary school, ideally reception aged, if you work in a school can you choose which age group to work with? Do you need extra qualifications other than QTS to do this?
I am studying for a degree in English Language and Literature then plan to do either PGCE or QTS qualification after. I'm not really sure if I'm going about it the right way.
Thanks in advance.

In my last year of my degree I volunteered a day a week in a primary school.

Then did the postgrad, was lucky enough to get a permanent job very soon after NQT year.

You can specialise in Early Years or KS1 but as a primary teacher you should be able to teach a range of ages. It's good for your practice and good for the school not to have the same teacher in each class year on year.

The most important thing is that you do voluntary work and understand how difficult the job is. Look at the threads on here about stress and burnout. It's not a Miss Honey situation.

TA for years and then the PGCE as a maths specialist.

Never planned on it. Parents bribed me to do a PGCE by buying me a car (my career plan was to live in a squat in SE London and busk) and found me a place on a course somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I found myself a PGCE course at Cambridge, had a fab year (friends were doing MAs PhDs etc) then found I really liked teaching.

I went with two mates to a talk after lecture one day so I could grab some free food before going clubbing. My future course leader went and spoke to me because I didn’t talk to any of the PGCE student helpers. Somehow I was convinced to ditch banking and took up teaching instead.

11-16s.
Finished my degree, worked offices and in a shop for a year, thought there would be better money in teaching, did a PGCE.
Notable comment from the LEA advisor in my NQT year - "Some people are born to teach - you're one of them."
There was more money in teaching than in shop or office work.

DS did a multiple languages degree with a year abroad after living overseas for 8 years. Ran language workshops for the local schools whilst on his course.
Worked as a language assistant at a school in France through the British Council as part of his year abroad and decided teaching was for him so did several weeks observation at a couple of local schools when he got back which confirmed that it was what he wanted to do.
Did a PGCE at Oxford and got a job at a large secondary teaching MFL after the first term of the course. Will begin his third year of teaching in September. No choice of age groups he teaches though he is a form tutor too and will stay with that group until he or they leave the school.
He loves that every day is different and flies by. He hates all the pointless stuff that all teachers hate.

Not a popular career choice on here, or anywhere really. If you go for it you need to be keen, pretty tough and above all look after yourself, as it seems very easy to get dragged under.

Good luck whatever you decide.