10 Jobs for Former Teachers Ready for a Career Change

After years of shaping young minds, many teachers are walking away from the classroom in search of something new - more than 100,000 to be exact in the last 5 years.

Whether you're seeking a change of pace or simply ready for a fresh challenge, there’s a world of exciting job options waiting for you.

And no, it doesn’t involve teaching more kids.

It’s time to take the skills you've honed in the classroom and apply them to something new.

Let’s dive into 10 career paths that might just be the perfect fit for your next chapter.

1. Corporate Trainer

Teaching skills? Check. Presentation skills? Check. Patience to work with a wide range of personalities? Double-check.

Corporate trainers help businesses by teaching employees new skills and improving their knowledge.

You could be training employees on anything from software tools to leadership development. The best part? You get to use all the skills you honed as a teacher - communication, organization, and, of course, lesson planning.

The corporate world might not have recess, but it has its perks (like a competitive salary and lunch breaks that are just...longer).

Pro Tip: Corporate training often requires knowledge of the industry you’re teaching, so get ready to become an expert in a new field.

Also Read: How to mention you've trained employees on your resume?

2. Instructional Designer

If you loved creating lesson plans, you’ll love being an instructional designer. These professionals develop educational programs and materials for businesses, schools, or online platforms.

The main goal is to create engaging content that helps learners achieve specific learning objectives. This job is a great fit for teachers who have a knack for making complex ideas easy to understand.

Your background in curriculum development will make you a pro at this, and you can do it all from the comfort of your own home in many cases.

Pro Tip: Familiarize yourself with e-learning platforms like Moodle or Articulate Storyline to boost your marketability in this field.

3. Education Consultant

You know the ins and outs of education, right? Now, help others figure it out!

As an education consultant, you’ll work with schools, organizations, or even parents to improve teaching methods, curriculum, and learning environments.

Whether it's evaluating a school's performance or creating personalized learning plans for students, this job lets you use your expertise to shape the future of education - just without the teacher's lounge drama.

Pro Tip: Networking is crucial here. Connect with school boards, private education providers, or education-focused organizations to build your client base.

Also Read: What are some good resume examples for consultants?

4. Non-Profit Program Coordinator

Teachers are natural problem solvers and organizers. Take those skills to the non-profit world!

Non-profit organizations are always in need of people who can manage programs, coordinate volunteers, and help deliver educational initiatives. Plus, many non-profits focus on causes close to your heart, like supporting underprivileged communities, and this work can be incredibly rewarding.

The best part? You can still have that feeling of making a difference, just in a different way.

Pro Tip: Volunteering for a non-profit in a program coordinator role before diving in full-time is a great way to test the waters.

5. Freelance Writer or Editor

You’ve written lesson plans, essays, and maybe even some class newsletters. Why not take those writing chops to a new level?

Freelance writing or editing allows you to work on a variety of topics and write at your own pace, making it perfect for former teachers looking for flexibility.

As a freelance writer, you could write educational content, blog posts, marketing copy, or even books. The flexibility of freelancing means you can work on projects that interest you, and editing content could also keep you in the “teaching” mindset without the kids.

Pro Tip: Build a portfolio with a few writing samples before approaching clients to show your skills.

Also Read: How to create a good resume for a technical writer role?

6. Online Tutor

Teachers are experts at breaking down complex topics and working one-on-one with students. Why not take that skill online?

The world of online tutoring is booming, and you don’t have to limit yourself to the subjects you taught in the classroom. You can tutor subjects you’re passionate about or even teach English as a second language to students abroad.

Online tutoring offers the flexibility to set your own hours, work from home, and even earn a competitive salary. Plus, you get to interact with students, just without the homework pile-up.

Pro Tip: Consider specializing in a subject or test prep (SAT, ACT, etc.) to make yourself stand out.

7. Event Planner

You know how to juggle a million things at once - lesson plans, parent-teacher conferences, field trips. Why not apply that multitasking superpower to event planning?

Event planners organize everything from weddings to corporate conferences to school events. Your organizational skills will come in handy, and you’ll get to be creative in a totally different way.

Pro Tip: Starting with smaller events or volunteering for a big event can help you gain the experience you need to transition into this field.

8. Sales Representative

Sales might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of transitioning from teaching, but hear us out.

As a teacher, you’ve developed some pretty solid communication skills, explaining things clearly, convincing your students to complete assignments, and even negotiating behavior expectations. These skills are gold in the sales world.

As a sales representative, you’ll be able to use your ability to connect with people and help them make decisions. It could be selling educational products, software, or services, and you’ll be surprised at how transferable your teacher skills can be.

Pro Tip: Sales is all about building relationships. Think of it like building rapport with your students, but with clients.

If you’re a teacher who’s also a bit of a techie or social media savvy, this might be your dream job. Social media managers help companies and brands engage with their audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

You’re already used to creating engaging content, whether it’s for your class or your school’s newsletter, so why not turn that into a full-time gig?

Pro Tip: Get familiar with scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer and learn the basics of analytics to boost your social media expertise.

Also Read: What are some trending social media jobs?

10. Career Coach

As a teacher, you’re already in the business of helping people figure out what they want to do with their lives. Transitioning to a career coach allows you to use your guiding skills to help people figure out their career paths.

Whether it’s helping someone pivot industries or giving advice on job interviews, this job can be incredibly rewarding.

Many career coaches focus on specific industries or roles, so you could specialize in education or help people looking to transition into similar roles to yours. Plus, you’ll still be doing what you love - helping people without the school bell ringing.

Pro Tip: Take a career coaching certification course to establish your expertise and credibility.

Also Read: How to explain career change during interviews?

Final Thoughts

Being a teacher comes with a ton of transferable skills that can open the door to a wide range of jobs. From corporate training to freelance writing or event planning, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore.

It’s all about taking the skills you already have and applying them in a new context.

And to make your career transition more smooth and less daunting, you can use Hiration to help you create standout resumes, polish your LinkedIn profile, and even prepare for interviews with tailored practice sessions.

The world is full of opportunities, and with a little help, you’ll be ready to seize them.