I quit in February 2021 after three years of teaching in the same school district where I received my education. For months, I had been inconsolable, crying at every turn: the alarm going off, listening to my students talk about their worries in class, driving home from work, and in meetings with coworkers. The work, which I adored more than any other job I’ve ever had, was too much for me to handle.
COVID-19 has had an impact on every facet of people’s lives and jobs. Education and healthcare were two of the most severely impacted sectors. Even on a good day, teaching is a stressful job. However, during the pandemic, teachers have had to contend with worsening workloads, lax hygiene protocols, unexpected shifts to remote learning, and broken technology related to virtual teaching. On top of that, they still have to prepare lessons, grade homework, and take care of their own families. The National Education Association reports that 37% of educators were considering leaving the field in August 2021, but that number has increased to 55% in 2022 due to the subsequent upheaval. Even more concerning is the fact that 62% of Black educators and 59% of Hispanic educators are considering leaving the field, adding to the already low representation of these groups.
I hope this is helpful if you are a teacher who is having the same problems I experienced and is thinking about leaving the profession. Here is a list of fourteen careers that teachers can pursue after leaving the classroom, along with some advice on how to change careers and find a new job.
Perhaps we will all be able to return to the classroom with the support, unions, and pay that we rightfully deserve when our nation finally recognizes the immense sacrifices that teachers make on behalf of their students.
- Selling products to schools
Pay rate: $55,000
Salary: $43,000-$85,000
Yeah, yeah. “I’m supposed to sell stuff?!” However, isn’t that the purpose of a classroom? Cooperation, compromise, sharing, negotiation, learning, perseverance, and success are the ideas that we market to our kids. To do this job well, all you have to do is take your proven sales techniques and apply them to a wide range of products and services that school districts rely on, including software, logistics, consulting, equipment, supplies, and more.
- Real estate agent
Pay rate: $52,019
Salary: $25,000-$182,000.
We have previously discussed the reality that educators are skilled salespeople. Being a real estate agent could be the ideal career choice for you if you’ve always enjoyed watching home improvement shows on television or if you have a strong desire to assist people in purchasing or selling their dream home. Your ability to connect with people is crucial to this position; just as you established credibility with your pupils, you will need to do the same with real estate clients. Keep in mind that certification is required by the majority of states before you pursue this route.
- Expert in educational consulting
Pay rate: $67,288
Salary: $41,000-$203,000
Teachers are well-suited for the role of consultant because they have the hands-on expertise in the field that is essential to the work, and the specific tasks assigned to them might vary from client to client. Consultants work with school systems or individuals. Your expertise in student socioeconomic status and extracurricular activities, as well as your knowledge of effective classroom management techniques, may be sought after when you offer recommendations for curricula. Giving students a hand with college application prep and submission is probably where the majority of the money is.
- Grant writer
Salary: $50,178
Pay rate: $36,000-$84,000
One of your primary duties will be to gather funding for your organization’s operations and special projects by researching, developing, and submitting grant proposals. If your proposals are accepted, you will also be responsible for tracking and reporting on the use of the funds. If teachers are accustomed to requesting cash from administration, keeping tabs on classroom spending, and using research and persuasive strategies to bolster their demands for resources, then grant writing may be second nature to them.
- Standardized test developer
Pay rate: $70,000 on average
Salary: $40,000-$85,000
Developing tests is a natural fit for a teacher’s abilities in strategic thinking, thorough investigation, and persuasive writing and speaking. Collaborating with other stakeholders, writing and editing questions, proofreading and checking facts, and conducting research to determine which knowledge and skills to test in what ways are all possible tasks you may encounter.
These are just some examples of different jobs a teacher could use their skills towards. If you still want to teach but just need a change, maybe you will consider teaching a broad. If that’s the case read below: