Common Corporate Careers for Former Teachers

There’s no doubt that teaching is a rewarding job. But it can also be stressful and demanding. According to one survey, nearly half of the teachers in England plan to leave the profession in the next five years. For many unmanageable workloads, stress and burnout have taken their toll, so much so that they are considering opportunities outside the classroom. The good news is that teachers have a wealth of valuable skills and expertise that they can easily transfer into corporate jobs.

If you are a former teacher or are considering a career change, this post will help guide your decision-making. We explore five of the most common corporate jobs former teachers transition into.

Walking away from the profession you have invested many years of time and energy in is a scary prospect. You may feel anxious, confused and unsure of what direction to take.

However, many former teachers have made successful corporate careers using their many talents and skills. Teaching is no longer the lifelong career that it once was.

Learn more about transitioning from teaching.

Digital learning has exploded since the pandemic. The self-directed, flexible nature of digital learning appeals to students and employees. Organisations are investing heavily in online platforms to upskill or reskill workers and deliver professional development. At the same time, educational settings are expanding remote learning opportunities to suit learners’ diverse schedules.

And the considerable crossover between teaching and digital learning means there are plenty of exciting career opportunities for teachers.

A recent survey from the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation provides valuable insights into why teachers leave.

Excessive workloads and too much paperwork are top of the list. School leaders reported devoting many extra hours each week outside their standard hours to school-related work. Some even said they spend up to eight hours weekly on schoolwork during the holidays.

Furthermore, Bloomberg reported that worsening student behaviour and pay that hasn’t kept up with inflation are also impacting teachers.

Burnout is the inevitable outcome for many.

Contrast those demands with a corporate career. Higher salaries, flexible hybrid and remote working, great variety, and opportunities to learn and progress make it an attractive option.Teaching professionals can enjoy a satisfying career without the hassle and stress that comes with teaching. And there are plenty of opportunities in corporate digital learning that have close parallels with teaching.

Teachers have fantastic organisation, planning and analytical skills. They are natural leaders and have excellent public speaking and presentation abilities.

Furthermore, teachers are skilled at planning and developing curriculums and course instructions. They know how to measure and assess performance. Even better, they understand how to get the best out of people, whether coaching, mentoring or target setting.

All those skills make for an impressive CV that will appeal to many corporates. Businesses are always on the lookout for confident communicators with leadership and organisational skills.

Pivoting away from teaching may not be as difficult as you first thought.

So, what are the options for teachers looking for new pastures?

A corporate trainer is probably the first one that springs to mind. Corporate trainers take the lead in devising and delivering training programmes for new and existing staff. However, that’s only one option. Here are some others you may have yet to consider.

An education consultant is a varied job. Some work as subject expert advisers on textbook projects. Others guide local education authorities on curriculum tools or professional development for schools. Education consultants also work with companies to develop and promote classroom learning products and teaching aids.

An education consultant role is an ideal choice for former teachers with a background in curriculum development. The job uses your analytical, planning and organisational skills.

This is one of the exciting new-generation jobs to emerge with the shift towards remote learning.

Digital learning designers develop engaging and interactive educational materials to meet the needs of online learners. The job involves defining learning objectives and creating e-learning modules, online assessments and feedback processes.  

The skills required are bread and butter for former teachers, especially those with experience in remote teaching and learning gained during the pandemic.

A learning and development coordinator is responsible for identifying and planning company training programmes. Your job is to determine the organisation’s training needs and match companies with the right programmes and tools. Increasingly, this involves digital learning options.

Communication skills are vital for this important role. Furthermore, teachers’ experiences in assessing learning needs, developing innovative modules to satisfy those needs and tracking progress make them ideal candidates. 

LMS administrators manage and maintain an organisation’s learning management system. These systems deliver and monitor the effectiveness of online learning.

Tasks include keeping track of the software’s operational performance and managing users, content and system integration.

The LMS administrator also ensures compliance with any local or central regulations. And they make sure the system works to meet the organisation’s needs.

This is a technical role requiring knowledge and experience in computer and software management. However, another vital skill is expertise in course design and development. Also helpful is the ability to communicate, as the job involves working with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

The job title may be a mouthful, but the purpose is straightforward. These specialists work with schools and universities to incorporate technology into teaching and learning.

Digital learning instructional technology specialists oversee school and university online education programs. They review how well teaching professionals implement technology in the classroom, offering advice on improvements or recommending educational software.  

Many teachers have expertise in incorporating technology into lesson plans and student learning. During the pandemic, the switch to remote learning saw teachers get creative with technology in engaging students.

Teachers possess other relevant skills, including analytical abilities, good communication and organisation.

Stepping away from the classroom is a big move. And as with any important decision in life, planning and preparation are vital.

The first step is to do your homework. Google will be your best friend as you research what opportunities are out there. Look at current roles that are available and check out company websites for background information.

Next, think about your transferable skills. Enlist the help of colleagues and friends as you pinpoint your strengths and identify the excellent skills you have. Think leadership, analytical abilities, public speaking, planning and organisational skills. Any corporate business would love to have on board employees with these vital abilities.

Finally, think about upskilling. Additional professional qualifications could be the difference that sets up apart from others in the job market. Studying for a certificate or diploma will enhance your skill set and gives you valuable hands-on practical experience in your chosen field.

Learn more about transitioning from teaching, and download our eBook 'Transitioning from Teaching to Instructional Design'.

We have helped many former teachers to achieve their dream of a new career. Our university-accredited Professional Diploma in Digital Learning Design has empowered teachers to make a move into exciting and rewarding corporate careers.

Globally, the EdTech market is one of the fastest-growing sectors. And the UK’s predicted annual growth rate up to 2026 is 22 per cent.  

There’s never been a better time to move into digital learning. And with a complementary skill set, it’s one of the best corporate jobs for former teachers.

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