suggestions for switching careers to teaching in mid life?

Question

coming from healthcare (another underpaid under valued female dominated career-)

thanks for your input.. "why" go into a similar field??- problem is I recognize I'm very good at/enjoy the teaching part of my job....I am aware there are drawbacks and will think carefully... I dont think 30 is considered mid life-that's still young girl! I am middle aged and have established friends and family.I dont recall ever having friends at college as I didn't like study groups/parties/etc. I read teachers are in demand as there is a shortage as more women started getting into better paid fields.

Answer 1

There is a shortage of math and science teachers in most areas, and women definitely are needed in these positions.

If you have the desire and the gift, I applaud you, and encourage you to look into teaching.

Depending in which state you live, there may be "fast-track" teacher certification programs at your state university, or even at private colleges nearby. Your healthcare background may give you an edge in terms of admissions to a science-focused "fast-track" certification program. If you hold a bachelor's degree already, you can choose to pursue a Master's in education, or simply seek a teacher certification program. I strongly suggest you look into both, and I wish you every success.

As to the question of finances, in some areas, if you are willing to teach in an urban or rural underperforming district, you can get a substantial signing bonus, and in some cases, you can get your student loans partially reimbursed. Really, there are so many opportunities out there now.

I teach at the university level, and there's nothing I wish for more than good elementary and secondary-level teachers who can prepare my students for college.

Answer 2

So you want to switch from one under-paid, under-valued, female-dominated career to another?

I switched careers mid-life. I went back to college and got a teaching degree. It was very hard emotionally. I never felt so old in all my life. I did not have friends at school because all my classmates were 20-something. I was in my mid-thirties and the other students thought I was about 100. Financially it is difficult to recover unless you have scholarships because tuition is astronomical now. (The academic part is not hard, classes have been greatly dumbed down from when I went to college the first time.) If you own a home-do not sell it to go back to school. I have known people who made that bitter mistake and have not been able to get back into the real estate market. The teaching profession has been flooded with graduates from the on-line schools like University of Phoenix. If its all those angry women you want to get away from maybe you should visit a faculty staff meeting, there are many angry women in teaching. The complaining is stupendous. If you do it be prepared for a lot of pain. I regret the decision and the time and money I spent. However, if I had not made the change I would have always wondered "what if?" If you do this thing be tough.

Answer 3

I believe the best thing to do is keep a regular job and attend night classes to obtain a Master's or BA in teaching (whichever is required for teaching certification in your state) until you have the qualifications needed to teach in your area.

However, if you are dissatisfied with your experiences in healthcare because you feel underpaid and undervalued, won't teaching make you feel similarly?

Answer 4

I hate to enable you recognize this and for sure there are consistently exceptions, yet you're too previous to land in an marvelous spot for a occupation in geology. a million. you ought to need a Masters 2. optimal companies does now no longer placed money into your needed training. 3. You supply no experience to the table at we ought to are asserting 40 5 on an identical time as your boss who would be approximately 40 5, is clinging directly to his interest on an identical time as he has 2 an prolonged time experience. optimal companies want workers that are youthful, naive and ought to artwork decrease priced and long hours. An older guy or female generally does no in sturdy shape that bill! earlier 40 that's a "Carrot and Stick" administration kit, besides the fact that once 40 there is now no longer a Carrot anymore! i in my view hate to ought to enable you recognize this...i in my view do!