You're a mid-career educator seeking change. What career paths should you consider?

1 Educational Consulting

Educational consulting is a natural transition for seasoned educators. Your years of experience in the classroom, understanding of curriculum development, and insight into educational policy make you an excellent candidate for advising schools and educational institutions. As a consultant, you can impact education on a broader scale, helping to shape policies, design educational programs, and provide professional development for other educators. This role allows you to stay connected to the education sector while offering more flexibility and variety in your work.

2 Corporate Training

Corporate training is an exciting option where your teaching skills can shine in a business context. Companies often seek professionals who can develop and deliver training programs for their employees, covering everything from software use to leadership skills. Your ability to create engaging lesson plans and assess learning outcomes transfers seamlessly to this role. Plus, corporate training can offer a more lucrative salary range and the opportunity to work in various industries.

3 Instructional Design

Instructional design could be your calling if you have a knack for creating educational materials. Instructional designers develop courses and training programs, often for online platforms. Your expertise in pedagogy will be crucial in crafting effective learning experiences that cater to diverse audiences. This field often requires additional knowledge of learning management systems (LMS) and multimedia tools, but it's a rewarding path for educators who love blending technology with teaching.

5 Education Policy

Shifting to education policy work allows you to influence the future of education at a systemic level. Your experience in the classroom provides invaluable insights into the practical implications of policy decisions. Working for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups, you could help draft legislation, analyze data to inform policy recommendations, or lobby for educational reforms. This path is ideal for those who are passionate about shaping the educational landscape on a macro scale.

6 Writing and Publishing

Finally, consider writing and publishing if you have a love for words and a wealth of knowledge to share. This can include authoring educational books, creating resource materials for teachers, or writing articles for educational journals. Your firsthand experience can guide new educators or offer fresh perspectives in academic discourse. It's a more solitary path but one that can be deeply fulfilling for educators with a penchant for writing.