Teaching was my first career. I entered by doing a Bachelor of Education degree in Canada and then being recruited to work in the UK, because the UK is struggling to fill teaching vacancies. You can usually enter teaching by doing a 1-2 year course after your Bachelor degree as well. Some countries have a program like Teach First or Teach for America that will let you straight into the classroom.
In Canada, teaching is very competitive, but in the UK many schools are struggling to recruit enough teachers. That meant it wasn’t too difficult to get a job offer, especially through a teaching agency. I found that, to get an interview and offer from a “good school,” it was useful for me to ask the headteacher to take me on a tour of the school. Making small talk with the headteacher and asking interesting questions helped me to get an interview.
Teaching is a hard job, and it’s probably true that the easier it is to get hired, the harder your job will be. You’re expected to work 40-55 hours per week during the school year. Pay varies by country, but in the UK it starts just above the national median wage (£25-30k). Most people aren’t particularly good teachers until they’ve had 5+ years experience. However, in teaching you get useful feedback very quickly, you make a living wage, and you learn lots of useful skills. Going back to teaching is my “plan Z” right now and I’m glad I have it as an option.
Teaching was my first career. I entered by doing a Bachelor of Education degree in Canada and then being recruited to work in the UK, because the UK is struggling to fill teaching vacancies. You can usually enter teaching by doing a 1-2 year course after your Bachelor degree as well. Some countries have a program like Teach First or Teach for America that will let you straight into the classroom.
In Canada, teaching is very competitive, but in the UK many schools are struggling to recruit enough teachers. That meant it wasn’t too difficult to get a job offer, especially through a teaching agency. I found that, to get an interview and offer from a “good school,” it was useful for me to ask the headteacher to take me on a tour of the school. Making small talk with the headteacher and asking interesting questions helped me to get an interview.
Teaching is a hard job, and it’s probably true that the easier it is to get hired, the harder your job will be. You’re expected to work 40-55 hours per week during the school year. Pay varies by country, but in the UK it starts just above the national median wage (£25-30k). Most people aren’t particularly good teachers until they’ve had 5+ years experience. However, in teaching you get useful feedback very quickly, you make a living wage, and you learn lots of useful skills. Going back to teaching is my “plan Z” right now and I’m glad I have it as an option.