Should I become a teacher or go to a masters?

[lostandconfusedmh]

After burning out from my previous law job in the city due to mental health issues, I’ve been recovering at my parents' place since being let go in July. Thankfully, I’m feeling much better now.

I’ve secured a job as a trainee teacher in my hometown, but I can’t help feeling a bit bitter because I had a very high-paying job before. I graduated with a 2:1 in law from a Russell Group university in 2022.

Now, I’m at a crossroads: should I take the teaching job or finish my master’s? I have offers from:

• A former Russell Group university
• A business analytics course from the University of London
• An MSc in Finance at SOAS

I’m considering these options as a way to re-enter the corporate world, as I no longer wish to pursue a career in law due to the culture. However, the teaching job is also appealing because it’s less stressful than working in a Magic Circle law firm, and the summers off would provide a good work-life balance.

The downside is that the teaching job is at a rough school with poorly behaved pupils, which adds another layer of complexity to my decision.

Have you ever read anything about teaching that isn't from teach first?

Why not work as a TA or volunteer (eg listening to children read) before you decide? Then if it’s not for you, you can decline the Teach First offer and pursue the Masters.

You can’t be serious. You don’t sound as though you have done any research into teaching at all.

Why on earth are you considering it given you know so little about it ? Clearly it’s not something you are passionate about.

I think you need to look into your work ethic. High levels of pay and long holidays from work don't generally go hand in hand.

Teaching is unique. It's highly stressful and a huge responsibility. Yes you get more days off but you can't take days off for any reason during term time. Maybe for a funeral of a close family member but not for a wedding or to move house or other important life events. You are expected to be at work. You can only go on holiday at the most expensive times of the year. Don't go into teaching for holidays.

I am not passionate about anything... I just want a job

Then just get a stop gap job if you just need a bit of money.

Teaching isn’t “just a job” though. You have to be all in to do it well and it’s hard work and stressful.

Why teaching though?

If you want just a job, get one.

Why ricochet to a profession you have no interest in and know nothing about?

bc nobody else would hire me...

You sound very immature and unsure of yourself OP.
Im not sure teaching is for you nor would I want you teaching my children with your obvious lack of passion for the vocation.

Why would nobody else in the world hire you, yet a school would?

I wouldn't recommend anyone goes into teaching unless they have volunteered or worked at a school. It is incredibly demanding on multiple levels.

Can I -very gently - suggest that you might not yet have recovered from your burn out? If you are able to stay with your parents a bit longer, I would take some time, take a non pressure job or volunteer and see if you can access some therapy/ take some time.

Going into teaching right now puts you at high risk of being back where you are now in a year, and Teach First is especially brutal. It isn't true no one else will hire you and I promise there's a world outside the City.

Wow. Where did you try?

You sound like you still need some recovery time, to be honest. Perhaps travel, do some volunteering, work in Costa. Don't lurch straight into another high stakes decision.

What subject are you planning on teaching?

I’ve secured a job as a trainee teacher in my hometown, but I can’t help feeling a bit bitter because I had a very high-paying job before. I graduated with a 2:1 in law from a Russell Group university in 2022.

This statement makes you think that somehow teaching is below you. I think you'll be very surprised if you did go into teaching how qualified and able teachers are. With your recent career history you should be thinking about whether you're good enough to be a teacher.

Personally I think you should take any job for now and do some soul searching and try to think what your passion is.

@lostandconfusedmh I was the OP in the thread referred to above and I am a solicitor.

Law is far less stressful than teaching, so no, don't go into teaching

THIS.

I am a teacher
I have a first class degree from Russell group university
I teach because I believe education is key to people fulfilling their potential and thriving in life; it is not a pathway to a massive pay check.

No, it's a doddle.

Are you prone to catastrophising?

It sounds like you think teaching is below you and are already pissed off about the lower pay.

I would recommend you join the Life after teaching-Exit the classroom and thrive Facebook group and spend an hour or two reading the posts to see what teachers themselves think abut the role.

So why oh why do you think teaching is a good idea ? Because it isn’t. It would burn you out more and you’d likely not be a good teacher either.

Just do temping work for a bit until you decide that you actually want to do.

I family who teach, they mostly enjoy it.
They do get long holidays but it isn't a low stress job most of the year.
It is a vocation when done well and not a consolation prize for failing elsewhere.

Doing some further relevant studies while you work out what you want to do with your career seems sensible. Going into a very difficult and stressful job you have no pull towards does not.

Honestly, please re-think being a teacher. I re-trained as a teacher in my late 30s after leaving another professional career.

I too did Teach First. I wanted to be a teacher and was highly motivated to succeed. My first year was still the hardest, most professionally challenging and stressful year of my life.

I love teaching. But, bloody hell, it’s a full-on profession. I would not recommend that anyone embark on it unless they know what they’re letting themselves in for and really want to do it.

The holidays are nice, sure, but they are also necessary. I spent the first two weeks of the summer holiday pretty much a zombie. They’re all that stops most teachers from completely burning out.

Do the Masters.

You need time to find yourself.

Given your experience and reasons for change, teaching feels like a bit of an 'out of the frying pan into the fire' kind of situation.

I'm a teacher and I know lots of teachers who also want to leave the profession. Even the 12 weeks of holidays can't hold us - so you know it's a shocker. The pay also doesn't reflect the level of skills and commitment needed to do the job successfully. Then there is the underfunding and the changing landscape of behaviour (to name just a few challenges of the role). It is a very, very hard environment to be successful in. My peers and I often discuss how we constantly feel like we are failing. Emotional and physical safety is an issue. There may be spaces within education and teaching that can provide a better experience.

I think it would be worth considering something different that will provide the right balance for the sake of your mental health. This is something I am working on too. I wish you the best with it all.

Everyone is rightly telling you that teaching is not the career for you if you are prone to stress and burnout. But neither is finance or other careers in the City.

It sounds like you really want something high status, and it can be really painful to come to terms with the fact that we might not be able and suited to the things we want. It might be worth seeing a career coach to process these things.