The best career pivots for educators: How to change careers from teaching
Teachers and educators will find that their skillsets are in high demand in other sectors. Learn more about how to change careers from teaching and which new roles might be a good fit.
If you’re interested in changing careers from teaching, then there’s good news. Your perspective, experience, and transferable skills will make you a strong candidate for several roles in tech, project management, learning and development (L&D), HR, and much more.
Most likely, you went into teaching to do something rewarding, meaningful, and that makes a difference while offering job security and reliable hours. I hope that you found this during your time as an educator! But as a career advisor, the more I speak to people looking to pivot from teaching into a new role, the more I’m realising that there are certain career criteria that education isn’t filling for them.
They often speak about feeling under-renumerated, and the demanding nature of the work, coupled with the inflexibility of hours and working location, mean they want to find something new.
In this guide, we explore some of the best teacher career pivots, how to navigate a successful transition, and why your experience in education can be your greatest asset when returning to the job market. I’ll share some of the advice I commonly give as a career consultant when speaking to educators looking to take the leap to a new career. I’ve spoken to some of my colleagues and peers at Learning People to include their best insights, too.
I created this guide for teachers specifically, but do feel free to take a look at our broader guide on how to change careers.
And if you’re looking for bespoke advice, you can talk to one of our career consultants for free about your career change. Just take one minute to leave your details.
Written by
Tabatha Cook is a dedicated Careers Services Manager at Learning People, bringing a wealth of recruitment experience, having helped hundreds of professionals into their dream careers.
Why teachers change careers
As I mentioned above, the more I speak to teachers and educators about their career change goals, the better my understanding is of why they want to pivot to a new career.
Note: I don’t want to be too negative about teaching as a career. Teachers are a vital part our society, and there are many brilliant educators out there who enjoy teaching as a life-long vocation. That said, there do seem to be some common themes among those who decide to find a new career after spending some years in a teaching role.
The most common reasons from my experience include:
- Burnout or stress: The emotional and workload demands of teaching can take a toll over time. It's not an easy job by any means.
- Desire for more flexibility: Many teachers crave better work-life balance and the flexibility to work in different locations or to take annual leave outside of the highly structured term-time calendar.
- Financial motivation: There are roles outside of education offer higher salaries and better, clearer progression pathways.
- New challenges: After years in the same role, some educators want to apply their skills in new environments and to new challenges.
- Changing priorities: Family, health, and personal goals may prompt a reassessment of long-term career direction.
Transferable skills from teaching
I mentioned this right at the start of the article. As a teacher, you've almost certainly developed a host of valuable skills that will be highly attractive across a range of industries.
I feel that many people, including teachers themselves, underestimate the very high level of skills needed to be an educator. These are exactly what makes teachers or ex-educators stand out in the job market.
- Communication: Clear, concise, and engaging communication is as vital in almost every profession as it is when standing in front of a classroom of children.
- Organisation and planning: Managing classes, deadlines, and curriculum delivery requires high-level planning abilities.
- Adaptability: Teachers frequently adapt to new curriculums, technologies, and student needs. Especially in the world of tech, this quality will be very useful.
- Problem-solving: From classroom challenges to individual learning needs, teachers are skilled at creative solutions.
- Leadership and collaboration: Working with staff, parents, and students hones the leadership and teamwork skills that are needed in every workplace structure.
9% of teachers in Australia are planning a career change in 2025
A recent survey of 841 teachers in Australia highlighted the surprisingly large number of educators looking for a career pivot out of teaching in 2025, with 95% of respondents reporting they feel stress in their current role, and 45% saying it’s the worst they’ve ever experienced, even when compared to the pandemic.
Best career pivots for former teachers
Here are some of the most popular and rewarding career paths for those looking to move on from teaching:
1. Project management
Why it suits teachers:
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Strong organisational and planning skills
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Experience managing multiple tasks and people
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Clear communication and leadership abilities
Getting started: Look into entry-level certifications like APM Project Fundamentals or AgilePM® Foundation. These can help demonstrate your capability and fast-track your job applications.
2. Learning and development (L&D)
Why it suits teachers:
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Natural fit for those who love helping others learn
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Combines education expertise with corporate training settings
Getting started: Consider qualifications in L&D or instructional design. Experience designing lesson plans is a great foundation.
3. Tech and IT roles
Why it suits teachers:
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Teachers often have experience using digital tools and platforms
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Analytical and problem-solving skills translate well to roles like data analysis or IT support
Getting started: Explore entry-level courses in data analysis, coding, or cyber security. Certifications like CompTIA A+ or Google Data Analytics are a good first step.
4. Business analysis
Why it suits teachers:
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Strong attention to detail
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Effective communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Getting started: A business analysis course or certification (such as BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis) can help you pivot into this analytical and strategic role.
5. Educational publishing and content development
Why it suits teachers:
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Deep understanding of curriculum and learning materials
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Experience writing and editing content
Getting started: Build a portfolio of written or digital content. You can freelance or work with publishing companies focused on educational resources.
6. HR or recruitment
Why it suits teachers:
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Experience dealing with a variety of people and situations
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Strong interpersonal and interviewing skills
Getting started: Consider a course in HR fundamentals or recruitment. Entry-level roles in talent acquisition or employee engagement are common routes.
Steps to successfully change careers from teaching
- Reflect on your goals and motivations: Take time to assess what you want from your next career. Is it more flexibility? Better pay? A creative outlet? This will guide your next steps.
- Research new industries: Look into sectors that align with your strengths and interests. Consider job descriptions and talk to people already working in those roles.
- Upskill or retrain: Many career pivots require new knowledge or certifications. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable and flexible online training options.
- Tailor your CV: Highlight your transferable skills clearly and match them to your target role. Focus on achievements that demonstrate results and impact.
- Grow your network: Connect with others on LinkedIn, join relevant industry groups, or attend career change webinars. A strong network can lead to job opportunities.
- Start small, if needed: You don’t have to land your dream job overnight. Consider freelance work, volunteering, or part-time roles to build experience and confidence.
Career pivots from teaching: Real success stories
Over the 15 years that Learning People has been in business, we’ve supported just shy of 50,000 people who want to launch or change their career. We’re proud of our students’ success – seeing the people we work with find careers they love is what motivates us to keep doing this work.
Among these, we’ve supported many educators take the difficult but exciting leap into a new field. Take Elizabeth, for example, who we supported through a career change from being a teacher to being a Project controller.
Elizabeth Baseley
Elizabeth wanted a career change after realising she didn’t want to be a teacher anymore. After finding Learning People and speaking to one of our expert Career Consultants, she found she had many transferable skills which would help her excel in Project Management. At the time of this interview with just half of her studies completed, Elizabeth has just secured a role as Project Controller at her dream company, BAE Systems!
Final thoughts: How we can help you transition from teaching
If you're a teacher thinking about a career change, you're not alone. This one of the most common career pivots we see at Learning People. With your transferable skills, natural drive, and a willingness to learn, you'll be an excellent fit for many roles in the world of tech and beyond. Next steps are to explore training options and build you confidence, ideally with some career coaching.
Ready to make a change? Take a look at our flexible, online training courses to kickstart your career pivot to a career in tech or project management. You can learn online whenever you have time, at your own pace, meaning you can "learn and earn", continuing to teach in your current job while training for your next career move.
FAQS on Changing Careers from Teaching and Education
The best career change for a teacher depends on your personal aspirations and strengths, but popular options include project management, learning and development, instructional design, and roles in tech like UX design or cyber security. These paths value strong communication, leadership, and organisation, which are skills most teachers already have. With the right training or certification, many teachers successfully transition into these rewarding, often better-paid careers.
Many UK teachers leave the profession due to high workloads, long hours, limited career progression, and a lack of work-life balance. Stress, burnout, and feeling undervalued are common reasons cited in national surveys. Additionally, stagnant pay and ever-changing policies can contribute to low morale. These factors often lead teachers to explore career paths that offer greater flexibility, better compensation, and more control over their professional growth.
I'd never say changing careers is "easy", but pivoting from teaching can be straightforward with the right support and planning. Teachers bring transferable skills like communication, organisation, problem-solving, and leadership which are highly valued across many industries. While some retraining may be required depending on your new direction, many former teachers successfully pivot into new roles in areas like project management, corporate training, or tech. Career advisors and flexible online courses can help simplify the transition.
Salaries after changing careers from teaching will vary depending on your new career, but many ex-teachers find they can significantly boost their earnings. For example, entry-level project managers or cyber security analysts in the UK often start at around £35,000–£45,000, with potential to grow beyond £60,000. Roles in tech and professional services tend to offer higher salary ceilings than education, making a career change a financially attractive move over time. You can retrain for some of these roles in a matter of months.
It’s possible to change careers from teaching without a big financial risk, especially with online, self-paced courses that allow you to retrain while still working. Some new careers even offer entry points with lower-cost certifications and fast-track options. While there may be a short-term cost, many career switchers see long-term financial gains in higher salaries and improved work-life balance, making the investment worthwhile and affordable with proper planning.
