Changing Careers from Private Sector to Education
An increasing number of private sector employees are considering careers in education. Although
there are a variety of reasons why people might consider a career shift to education, there are
some very basic steps to follow once the decision has been made.
An initial step for someone considering moving from private sector employment to employment
in education is to become familiar with what is happening in schools today. This might include
actually doing some volunteer work in a school, coaching, or being a guest lecturer on a career
day. Prospective candidates should also begin to read relevant education research and investigate
such topics as cooperative learning, mastery learning, learning styles, and teacher performance
appraisal. Candidates should also try to informally visit a class or two and have conversations
with both teachers and administrators. Finally, some candidates might attempt to contact the
personnel administrator in a local school district to gain some information on local, state and
national teacher shortage areas and how to market oneself for a teaching position.
The next step is to request all transcripts reflecting prior academic preparation, both
undergraduate and graduate. These transcripts will need to be reviewed to determine which
certificate endorsements might ultimately be awarded by the state.
After receiving transcripts, local colleges and universities that have education programs
need to be researched. Finding the college or university that is the right fit might depend on
program reputation, campus location, class schedules (some candidates might require night and
weekend classes) and cost per credit hour.
Once the selection of college or university has occurred, the institution will need to review
both the undergraduate and graduate transcripts. The college or university certification official
will be able to determine which endorsements are attainable and approximately how long it will take
to receive teaching certification (generally around two years, including student teaching).
Candidates who can realistically obtain several endorsements should consider doing so, since their
marketability will be increased. Many school districts prefer candidates who can teach a variety of
academic subjects.
While completing the necessary coursework for certification, contact should be made with the
personnel administrator of the local school district to obtain information about recruitment fairs
and other venues linking candidates to positions.
Making the change from private sector employment to employment in education can be an
exciting, rewarding move. Knowing which steps to take to initiate the change will make the process
and the transition much smoother.