Pag wrote:How people change careers in their 30s?
Long story, short, my 14th year of teaching, and I've loved every bit up until the last few months, and starting to find that the enjoyment really is being sapped out of the profession. Extra admin jobs (ie inputting all behaviour incidents, even minor, on a daily basis, usually at 8.30pm after kids have gone to bed), being told 'how' to teach (ie have to follow crap lessons the Ed Dept have made that don't carter to all students), dealing with behaviour that I just have to shake my head at followed by dealing with parents who refuse to acknowledge their child could make a mistake, could go on. Wife has pulled me up a couple of times for snapping at my own kids over little things (I'm just 'kidded-out' by the end of the day). Just getting over it. The in-class stuff when I get to be myself in the way that I teach, build relationships and watch some kids grow is awesome. The rest, I feel done with. Debating whether to take some LSL for a re-fresh, or take it all and just not return.
Saw an ad for a job I felt I could do quite well, in a different field, but one I'm equally passionate about. A teaching degree clearly wasn't involved or needed, and the degree that was input as a 'desirable' I obviously don't have, but thought my passion for it could take me a long way. Wrote an application, but chickened out and didn't send it. Starting to get a bit of regret at not at least throwing my hat in the ring.
With a mortgage and two kids, re-studying for three-four years doesn't sound all that appealing when I feel I have skills that could be transferable. Just wanted to see if anyone else had changed industries and how they went about it.
Hey Pag, I've helped people do the same thing. I left a secure public service job to go contracting, which I've done for 23 years. I did have a mortgage at the time and purchased a property after a couple of years contracting. It's opened so many doors and opened my eyes to many various industries and the acquisition of many different skills I could never have imagined. It's seriously the best thing I ever did.
The one thing you should remember is that when someone puts an ad up on seek or whatever platform, they always want someone who can meet 100% of their needs. "Mr Ideal Applicant". If you meet 70-80%, throw your hat in the ring. What's the worst that can happen? Other people might only meet 50 or 60%! You just never know. If you don't get the gig, ask for feedback as to why.
Ongoing - The key for you is having "transferrable skills" as you say. And you'd have tons of them.
Educating is a key. So straight up, without knowing you, you could become an IT trainer, a faciliator etc. Take a look at these;
https://facilitationjobs.com/a-comprehe ... ob-titles/The reason I say 'trainer' or similar is that not everyone is comfortable leading a group of people through a training/facilitation session. Clearly, teachers are. I was once told by a colleague of mine that as long as you're happy to stand up in front of people training, you'll have a job for life. Nowadays that also equates to online training where you can perform it from the luxury of your own home.
First thing I'd do, is ring a recruitment agency, like Hays, Icon recruitment (google search recruitment agencies in Adelaide) and just have a chat (I want to speak to someone about other opportunities). It will cost you nothing apart from your time. They'll more than likely either ask you to come in or ask for a resume and then determine what jobs you could be considered for straight away. If you don't have a resume ready or need help compiling one, they'll also assist you.
Let me know how you go or if you need more help.