What do you do if you're an educator wanting to transition into a non-teaching career?

If I’m looking to transition into a non-teaching career, I’d start by assessing my transferable skills, such as communication, organization, and leadership. Networking with professionals in my desired field is crucial for gaining insights and opportunities. I’d also consider further education or certifications relevant to the new role, while volunteering or taking on freelance projects to gain experience and build confidence.

When one change from teaching to non-teaching assignment, one has to do SWOT analysis of one's academic and administrative skills and depending upon individual liking, particularly for higher positions like that of Professor curriculum Development, Dean Academic Affairs, Director Quality Improvement etc. one may chose to adopt one of such functions which require high order communication and managerial skills. Such people require to meet higher level professionals in the industry, academia and bureaucrats to organise colloquiums or discussion sessions which are beneficial to the stake holders. Such positions are no less than classroom instructions rather much higher than faculty positions because of diversified activities.

Transitioning from a teaching to a non-teaching profession requires a commitment to self-reflect and assess your skills and purpose as there is an abundance of opportunities in our field. When you become a practitioner of self-awareness, you will impact your trajectory and core purpose. Be cognizant of your current and desired skills, and don’t ever give up on your purpose. You are just as important as any other educator. Be in the know of what your purpose requires and set yourself goals to attain the additional education, expertise, certification, and/or work experience(s) it may require. I believe in my purpose, and I believe in you!! Best wishes!

If you are thinking of transitioning from any profession ask yourself what you are wanting to leave because often what is bother people has more to do with attitude and focus than the work. Next, assess your education, your skill set, your interests, your work experience, and your volunteer experience. Then take a good hard look at what you really want to do and what is needed to do it successfully. What steps can you take today to prepare? If it is an existing profession, I recommend shadowing someone already successfully doing it. Is it something you can do part time? That is a good way to ease into it. Is there a volunteer position similar to it where you can get the training and experience on your own and do some good in your community?

With clear idea of transferable skills by an individual one has to decide various career paths which align with the expertise of an individual. Someone may like to work as Director Quality Improvement whose field of activities encompasses Faculty up-skilling; Planning & Administration of Teaching Learning Process; Guidance and Counseling; Collecting feedback from stake holders to identify problem areas which create hindrance in effective instructional process; Bringing transparency in system of students evaluation etc. Similarly, Dean Academics is concerned with planning curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities for total personality development of students. Therefore, such assignments needs lot many skills.

Resume is a mirror which provides complete details about one's competencies & experiences matching with the fulfillment of job requirements of a company one is aspiring for. Thus one is required to study the complete profile of the organisation and job specifications and accordingly tailor made his/her resume in line with the expectation of the organisation. It is important to highlight academic achievements, experiences, strengths and rewards and recognitions etc. relevant to the organisational requirements. Mentioning salient contributions which enabled the present organisation been benefitted, reasons for living the present job and candidates further aspirations should not be lost sight of.

One of the best ways to share your expertise is to network with other educators in your content-specific field. Don’t limit yourself to networking within your current teaching assignment. Become an active participant and member of your campus and/or school system’s collaborative organizations and community partnerships. Allow yourself to grow with others. Take full advantage when given opportunities to attend regional and state professional development opportunities. Network and discuss - you will find yourself right in the middle of an array of professions in our field that will guide you through your transition. Go and be you!

Appearing for an interview shakes everyone but if pre-prepared by probable queries, one performs much better. It is important therefore to understand one's strengths and weaknesses in respect of a particular job aspiring for. One should anticipate probable questions to be asked. One may consider to answer about: 1. What is that one consider himself/herself fit for this job. 2. Why one wants to leave the present organisation? 3. What are the type of experiences one possess for effective functioning in d current job? 4. Is one knowledgeable about the present competitors in the market and technological challenges. 5. How one relate his/her current academic experience match with the transition? One is expected to rehearse about such questions.