Transitioning to a Second Career as a Teacher

Written by Sasha Blakeley

Why Make a Career Change to Teaching?

Many people choose teaching as a second career because they've become good at what they do, and they want to pass their knowledge on to the next generation. Others do it because they find themselves unfulfilled in their current careers, and teaching is a calling to them. Whatever your reason for coming here, this guide will help you figure out if a career change to teaching is right for you and, if so, how to become a teacher.

We won't sugarcoat it; making a career change to teaching is a big challenge, but it's one that can be incredibly fulfilling. Those who become elementary teachers or high school teachers after working in another career might find that their new career provides rewards that their first one did not. Of course, this transition is not for everyone, and its success depends on a wide variety of personal circumstances. If you're thinking about this path, consider some of the following positive aspects of shifting lanes into teaching.

Teachers are in High Demand

One of the major reasons to consider becoming a second-career teacher is that, in many places, teachers are in quite short supply. Teacher shortages can leave schools understaffed and communities underserved in terms of quality education. On a societal level, becoming a second career teacher can answer this call and help meet this very important need. On a personal level, you'll always feel needed, and you shouldn't have much trouble finding a job.

If this interests you, you may want to look into programs like Teach for America. This program, and others like it, recruits potential teachers and helps train and support them on the condition that they teach for at least two years in a low-income community. Elementary and middle school teachers, as well as high school teachers, can benefit from this program as a way to jump-start a second career in teaching.

Teaching Offers Stability

One of the major advantages to becoming a teacher is that it can offer stability that other careers lack. The shortage of educators in America can help provide job security, and teachers at all levels tend to work regular hours. If you have spent your first career in a job that lacks this stability, the prospect of a set schedule and specific work hours can be a big part of the appeal of a new career as a teacher. Many teachers also get a good deal of holiday time when school is not in session, which can also be a benefit for those who enjoy travel.

Second Career Teachers Have Advantages

Second-career teachers often bring insight from their previous life experiences that younger, first-career teachers might lack. You will also have the opportunity to bring your previous expertise and knowledge of the world into your classroom, creating a richer experience for yourself and your students. Second career teachers might be able to bring viewpoints to the educational system that are not seen as often, which can also make them very good teachers. For instance, if you want to teach business, your time in boardrooms may have given you perspectives and experience that no recent college graduate could have. Your past experience in the workforce might also give you the confidence to lead a class, a trait that new, trepidatious teachers rarely possess.

Teaching is a Powerful Vocation

The main reason why people become second-career teachers, or even first-career teachers, is because they genuinely feel that the work is important. The impact of being a teacher is often more powerful motivator than any of the other advantages. If you are interested in becoming a second career teacher, think about your goals for teaching and your beliefs about the education process in general. Think about what you want to accomplish as a teacher and how you hope to positively influence the lives of your students. If you feel that teaching is for you, if you feel strongly about making positive change in the world, and if you care deeply about the impact your work could have on your students, this belief will carry you through some of the potentially negative aspects of teaching.

Challenges of Second Career Teaching

Making the shift to teaching as a second career is admirable and can work very well for some people. It's a career change that can bring a huge amount of benefit to both new teachers and their potential students. However, it isn't for everyone, and anyone considering it as an option should look into the potential challenges as well as the potential benefits. Even if you feel strongly about your interest in becoming a second career teacher, make sure that you consider the following challenges before making your final decision.

Being an Older New Teacher

Some second-career teachers have reported that one of the challenges of their professional shift is that it can be difficult to integrate into a school environment as an older new teacher. As a second-career teacher, you may experience some judgment about your age or inexperience in the field of teaching. Of course, this kind of judgment is unwarranted, and you may find yourself welcomed. If you do experience this, it's important to be prepared to be both assertive and humble in your new work environment. Accept that you have a lot to learn, but also know that you bring a lot to the table.

The Demands of Being a Teacher

There's no way around it: teaching isn't easy. It's a demanding career that requires a significant investment of time, energy, and emotion. As a teacher, you will probably be required to put a lot more of yourself into your work than, for instance, someone who works in a typical office job might. It is also important to keep in mind that, given the effort that goes into teaching, the profession is not a way to get rich. According to 2023 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, secondary school teachers make a median annual salary of $65,220, while elementary school teachers bring home $63,670 and middle school teachers make $64,290. While this is still higher than the national average for all jobs, most people don't become teachers for the money. If this kind of environment (high intensity, low monetary reward) doesn't appeal to you, you may want to reconsider your options.

Educational Requirements

The other major barrier to becoming a second career teacher is that it will almost definitely require going back to school. Even if you have previously studied the subject that you want to teach, you will probably not be able to transition directly into teaching. Teachers must be certified in addition to any required education, which can take time and can be costly. There are many financial aid and scholarship opportunities for teachers, so make sure to do some research before you transition. If you are looking for a second career that you can start without another educational investment, teaching might not be for you. We will cover the steps to teaching as a second career below.

How to Become a Teacher

You've thought through the pros and cons carefully, and you've decided that making the transition to second-career teaching is right for you. The next step is learning how to become a teacher, ideally taking your prior education and experience into account. There are several steps you can take to become a teacher. Typically, this process involves getting an undergraduate degree in either education or a subject that you want to teach. You will then need to get teacher certification based on your state's requirements. The last step in the process is to work as a student-teacher. If you already have an undergraduate degree, chances are that you will be able to apply your degree to your teaching career. There are also some alternative pathways that you can take that can accelerate the process of becoming a teacher.

Teacher Education Requirements

Any educator who wants to teach in a public school needs a bachelor's degree, a teacher preparation program, and certification from the state to teach. The first two steps are often combined for people whose first career is teaching; many bachelor's teaching programs have built-in teacher preparation programs. If you're transitioning to teaching as a second career, you may already have a bachelor's degree in another field, meaning you would need to complete a stand-alone teacher preparation program that includes a student teaching experience.

To obtain your teacher certification, you will need to take at least one major exam to prove your capability. These tests will vary by state; for instance, if you live in California, you will likely have to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) and/or the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET). If you live in Texas, you'd be required to pass the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES). Similarly, 40 states in the U.S. require teachers to pass at least one of the Praxis tests in order to become certified. Some of these tests are used as admissions exams to teacher preparation programs, while others are designed to become certified in the state. You can check the ETS Praxis state requirements page to see what's required in your state.

Alternative Teacher Certification

There are some forms of alternative teacher certification and teacher preparation programs that you might want to explore as a second-career teacher. Some states and regions offer accelerated teacher preparation programs for those interested in becoming teachers, especially if teachers are in high demand. Some places even offer emergency certification in difficult circumstances. These kinds of programs can help second-career teachers make the most of their existing qualifications while limiting the amount of time that they have to spend in school before starting their new careers. Look into schools in your area or check your state's department of education to see what's available.

Is It Worth Getting a Master's in Education?

A master's degree is not typically required for teachers at the K-12 level; a bachelor's degree and certification are enough. However, having a master's degree in education can make a difference in the salary you might receive. There are also master's-level teacher preparation programs that combine a graduate degree with the educator prep second-career teachers would need to become certified. In addition, this kind of education can also give second-career teachers a more thorough grounding in pedagogical theory, which can make the transition to a new career smoother for some people. Of course, a master's degree can be pricey and time-consuming, so you'd want to weigh the benefits against the cost and time.

Other Teaching Options

Having considered your options, you may have decided that becoming a second-career teacher is definitely for you. However, you might also have realized that while K-12 teaching is not your first choice, you do still want to work in education. If that is the case, there are some other teaching options that you might want to consider. You might want to become an adult education instructor, which generally requires less certification and may be a less emotionally and energetically intense profession. You are also likely to be able to incorporate your previous knowledge and experience into this career.

College professors can also be second-career candidates. If you have a lot of expertise in one area (master's level or higher), you might want to consider becoming a college professor as a second career. All of these educational professions can be great options; discovering which one is right for you will require introspection and a careful examination of the various pathways that can lead you to any of these careers.