Anyone go from corporate world to teaching?

Question

I am contemplating switching from corporate Finance to becoming a teacher. Has anyone had a similar career change? your thoughts? Advice? Pros/Cons?

Answer 1

I made the switch. I was a PR manager in some top companies in the financial services industry in NJ/NYC. I had the glamorous life of world travel and awesome expense accounts -- not to mention high salary and 80-hour work weeks.

However, when I moved to teaching I found a few things. First, it is important to get a REALLY good teaching prep program. You will need to learn what you need to be an effective teacher. Also, the best districts hire from the best teacher prep programs. Your grades have to be top-notched to get into the good districts. This is doable, but be sure to do it :)

Second, teaching is NOT easier than corporate life. All your stress is piled into 10 months at a rate that is probably higher than in corporate life. You have deadlines throughout the day -- when the kids show up, you have to teach the lesson and have the work prepared. It is not like a deadline you can push back. Also, teaching is not just read out of the teacher's manual. There are concepts you'll learn called pedagogy and academic standards (apologies if you already know this). You have to create meaningful, results-oriented lessons.

Finally, the VAST experiences you may have had are not well-respected in the academic community. Here, the lingua franca is how much teaching experience you have had -- not how much corporate experience you have had. having said that, my corporate experience has helped me in many ways in the classroom. However, it has also made me impatient with the rather slow process and sometimes ineptitude among academic administrators.

Still, I feel good about the career change because you really make a POSITIVE impact on the lives of children. Some of the best folks you'll deal with are the kids. Some of the worst are co-workers and parents (although some are really great, too!!).


Bring your professionalism and preparation to the classroom and you'll be able to have a nice career really helping young people. Plus, the two months int he summer is AWESOME!

Answer 2

I admire you for thinking of the change. Teaching can be a wonderful career. However, I would STRONGLY suggest you go an volunteer in a classroom of the age level you are thinking of teaching (high school, middle school, or elementary) as teaching is not for everyone. Get to know the teachers, administrators, parents and students. Ask questions and learn what it's really like to be a teacher. There's a lot more to teaching than what most people see: grading papers, endless meetings, committees, union issues, adjunct duties, parent relationships, etc. The actual classroom teaching is really only about 50% of the job.

Make sure this is a good change as you will need to go back to school to earn a teaching credential. This can take anywhere from one to two years, depending on the structure of the program (I'm assuming you have a BA/BS already). It will be very difficult to work and go to school at the same time until you get a credential. Can you survive financially while you earn a credential?

Keep in mind that teachers are not paid well when you compare it to other professions requiring similar education/training. You will also need to keep your credential up to date by taking continuing education courses even after you earn your teaching credential. This takes time and money.

As a teacher, I love the fact that the job is NEVER boring. It's very rewarding, knowing how important it is to society. Teaching is probably the hardest job you'll ever love!

Answer 3

I apoligize if my comments are redundant.

I am a 6 - 12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator in a small district that serves to teach/intern a few students a year from a local college. I've been teaching for 8 years and was a college administrator before that.

The biggest mistake that people make moving from corporate to teaching is believing that teaching is, in many ways, easier than whatever job they held before. Granted, if teaching is your passion and you hate finance, it WILL be easier, but most people don't know that coming in. Teaching is very rewarding, but it's not any easier, day to day, than many other jobs.

During the school year, a typical day finds me at school by 6:45, checking and responding to email, making copies, and making sure the day's plans are all set. I teach my classes, work with colleagues planning our similar courses, meet with the principal about schoolwide issues, help kids in study hall - and then the bell rings at 2:00, sending kids to my room for extra help, me to various department and student meetings. By 3, I'm on my way home to meet my own kids off the bus. After dinner, I usually spend an hour or two planning or correcting student work. Typically, weekends involve some work, too.

I also advise the senior class and mentor new teachers which each require an hour or so a week.

Bottom line, be realistic about what you expect to get out of the change. If kids drive you crazy, DON'T DO IT. If you don't have a lot of patience, same thing.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

I'd be careful and be very sure what you are getting yourself into. How do you plan on getting your teaching credentials? Are you going to go back to school or are you going to complete some sort of alternative certification program. We have an alternative certification program in my state, and I am sorry to say that many of the teachers who come to our school through this program are NOT prepared. They tend to know their content area very well, but don't seem to have much of a handle on how to manage a classroom or deal with kids. The new teachers coming from Universities almost always are the stronger teachers. I think this is because the Universities have their education students observe, complete internships and student teach. Some of the new teachers who come from the alternative programs don't student teach, and many seem to have not been in a classroom since they were in school themselves. They are shocked at the reality of the day to day struggles all teachers face.

That being said, as long as you know what you are getting into, and as long as you find a program that will truly prepare you for the classroom, I'd say go for it! I can't think of a more rewarding career out there...teaching is very challenging, but it is wonderful!

Answer 5

I was a banker. Basically I argued with attorneys about mortgages on behalf of the bank. Many corporate skills are very useful in teaching.

My advice has more to do with the teacher culture. You've been out in the professional world for years. It probably means nothing to you to wear your suits. You don stockings and high heels and look good, right? Teachers will eat you alive. They are far more casual, dress-wise. They also have a pettiness about your confidence, which is probably pretty high from interacting with adults for years ... just beware. The teacher social culture is very interesting from the perspective of one who travered the ins and outs of a bank for years.

Answer 6

Hi Nova Queen, Thanks for asking this question! I was thinking about doing the same thing, and all the answers here are very helpful. But still, the idea switching seems intriguing! I'm sure you'll make a good decision! Good luck and thanks to the answerers!