Steps For Success: How Teachers Can Exit The Classroom

Cat Moon
Nov 5
4 min read

Updated: 29 minutes ago

Which steps do teachers need to take to pivot successfully into a new career?

Recently, I've been reading various posts on social media from teachers who are feeling 'stuck', and don't know how to to leave the classroom. Many of you have read 'success stories' via Facebook posts or blogs online from people who have already left, but don't know the actual steps to take.

I'm going to break it down for you, so that you have a clear plan to support you with your journey.

Step 1: Look at jobs (no really, it's this simple!)

Being in the classroom for so many years, sometimes it's hard to even know what kinds of jobs exist outside of teaching. Play around with the filters on job websites to see which sort of roles come up. For example, select 'hybrid' and see which jobs come up, then filter by location and salary band so you can see what could be of interest. If you're struggling to even think of what jobs you could transition into, I've got you covered with this post:

Top 5 Jobs for Teachers to Transition Into

Step 2: Identify your interests and assess your skills

Assess your skills, and identify your interests. What have you enjoyed doing over the course of your career? Do you enjoy looking at data, organising school trips, running workshops, leading or attending staff training? If nothing gets you too excited, what did you enjoy about your undergraduate degree? Was it the essay writing, the researching or doing more practical activities? If you're not sure what you're good at, or where your skillset shines, ask a colleague or a friend what they think. Their answers might surprise you and take you down avenues you hadn't even considered!

Real-life example: Over the course of my 9 year teaching career, I really enjoyed being Head of Sport the most - organising and delivering large-scale events and liaising with a range of people- in and outside school. The skills I possessed which had made me successful at being Head of Sport were: being good at planning and delivering events, being organised, have excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills and being adaptable. Once I had figured out what I enjoyed, that helped me research potential industries and job titles where I could utilise those skills. For example, Program Organiser, Program Officer, Events Coordinator etc. If you're at this stage, and need more in-depth guidance about certain industries, I've covered it in these posts:

How to Transfer from Teaching into Learning and Development

Step 3: Research, research, research!

Once you've figured out what you enjoy and where your skillset shines, start narrowing down industries. If you're at a loss where to begin, look at transitioning into different education roles. This is probably the easiest way to get a different job, because it’s a similar environment and familiar territory. You will already have the skillset required for the job and often, you may still be working with students. A few that come to mind include higher education, non-profit organisations that support students in schools, workshop facilitator, coaching or instructional design in the corporate world, and more. Still unsure which roles might be a fit? Have a look at my other posts below.

Another way to research jobs is via LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a fantastic tool I recommend tapping into. Not only does LinkedIn provide you with excellent networking opportunities, but it also gives you an insight into how other teachers transitioned from the classroom into non-teaching roles. Read my post below for more on how to fully utilise LinkedIn for your job search.

Real-life example: I was particularly interested in Instructional Design but didn’t fully understand what the role involved. To learn more, I researched Instructional Designers on LinkedIn to see what their day-to-day work looked like. Then, I identified the skills I already had that aligned with the role. For instance, I had integrated EdTech into most of my lessons, designed eLearning modules, and delivered both staff and parent training sessions—online and in person. I also reflected on the gaps in my knowledge—such as adult learning theory—and considered whether additional training would strengthen my application. I decided to take a course in Instructional Design (which you can find here). It helped me learn the language of the field and gain a clearer picture of what Instructional Designers actually do. I was then able to refer to this course in my job applications and interviews.

Not sure which courses will help you transition? Need more help on how to fully utilise LinkedIn? Read some of the posts below:

Step 4: Get Your Finances in Order

I’ve dedicated an entire blog post to helping teachers leaving the profession to get their finances in order. For many teachers, transitioning out of education can mean taking a pay cut — and that can feel daunting when you’re used to the security of a regular paycheck. In this post, I break down practical ways to make it work financially and confidently plan your next step.

How to Financially Plan For Leaving Teaching

Step 5: Update your CV

I've written a blog post about this, but firstly update your current teaching resume. Then see how you can adapt your resume to the role you want, by honing in on your transferable skills and using the same language.

Perfect Your Resume: A Guide for Teachers Changing Careers