Cory Said:

Any suggestions as to what to choose when changing careers? I was thinking of becoming a teacher.?

We Answered:

It really is OK to change careers, and do it at any point in life. However, if you're going to chuck your previous career out of the door, make sure your new career is something you really love to do. That way the loss in salary the first few years will be worth it to you in exchange for your personal happiness and job satisfaction.

Of course you should become a teacher - I can see your enthusiasm in your writing! You are almost gushing at the prospect! LOL! You have to decide what you want to teach and then get your teaching license/certification, which would involve taking a few courses in the evenings. However, you can do this! Good luck!

Cassandra Said:

Becoming a Special Ed teacher? Changing careers...?

We Answered:

Since you already have a B.A., you just need a Masters in Special Education. You may need to take the GRE, depending on how old your B.A. is and your GPA. Contact your local university and talk to admissions and/or the Special Education department for the requirements.

You are working with the most rewarding group of kids! Have a blast with them and go get that Masters!!!

Jean Said:

Changing careers from an elementary teacher to ____?

We Answered:

Depends on whether or not you're willing to go back to school...

If you don't, then you need to look for careers that would benefit from your teaching degree and experience. Some ideas I had...

Sales. Doesn't have to be a traditional sales position...sales support would also be good. For example, you could go to work for a school supplies manufacturer and design promotional material for them...or you could become a textbook representative that visits teachers (or education professors) to introduce and promote new textbooks. Of course, other sales positions would also be a good choice for a teacher...if you can convince 7 year olds to learn math or geography, you can probably convince someone to buy almost anything!

If you happen to be religious, you might find work as a children's minister or director of children's programs for a church. You'd still have a chance to teach but your primary responsibilities would be curriculum, scheduling and training volunteers, etc...

Corporate training is another option...designing and delivering training programs for corporations.

Non-profit organizations in many fields would be glad to have someone with your experience help them design educational programs, prepare/write promotional letters, etc... You might also look at other government entities...for example, those that provide latch-key and summer programs.

You might also look at some non-traditional opportunities to use your teaching degree...but on a one-to-one basis...tutoring students for exams (such as SAT prep. companies) or something like Kumon or Sylvan Learning Centers. Seriously growing trend in parents providing their kids with extra learning assistance they aren't getting at school. One of my son's kindergarten teachers nearly doubled her income by tutoring 4 and 5 year olds to prepare for an aptitude test administered in kindergarten (and used by the school district to select kids for an special gifted/talented magnet school).

If you're willing to "retool" for a new career, think about what you like doing with your time...and what you liked and disliked about teaching. Did you like working on projects and scheduling lessons...if so, a degree in business (project management, operations management) may work for you. Did you like the technology...consider IT-related degrees. Did you like working with the kids and the other teachers...then nursing may be a good fit for you.

If you liked teaching but just didn't like the atmosphere of a school (or perhaps were tired of relating to children), you might also think about getting a master's degree (and then even a Ph.D.) in education...and then teach future teachers. I'm a college professor and I can't imagine a better career...flexible, loads of vaction time, good pay, job security (tenure), lifelong learning opportunities...and best of all, you're working with adults who don't (usually) pull each others' hair or throw spitballs in class!

Mitchell Said:

Changing careers from a teacher to an office clerk, what do you think?

We Answered:

Depends where you are talking about being a clerk at .
Some have lots of stress and only 2 weeks vacation if that .
Their pay is low and are the first ones laid off when a company "needs to reduce costs".

A teacher needs a college degree , a clerk needs a high school degree so figure on a drop in pay along with the drop in vacation .

Maybe another Plan B ?

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Terry Said:

Do the 'brightest and the best' want to change careers and become teachers in six months?

We Answered:

First you have to question who the Government considers to be the brightest and best.

As a teacher I am annoyed that bankers would get it easy becoming teachers, when others that really want to train would have to do it the old fashioned way.

What a discrimination.

And yes, anyone goes for a free ride, so why not, I'm sure that some will give it a go unfortunately.

All we need is bankers for heads.