“It’s given me my life back.”

Head of Drama Lauren loved many aspects of teaching but found that the out of hours working expectations were simply unsustainable, sometimes hitting 12 hours a day for 6 days a week! After taking a few months off to rest and have fun, she spent some time freelancing and then started her job hunt for a full-time role.

Now a Project Manager for an education research charity, Lauren is enjoying a job that’s interesting, varied, and challenging in all the right ways. Since leaving teaching she’s revisited old hobbies, planned term-time holidays and is happy to leave work “at the door” at the end of each day.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Reframing skills with the help of the Academy
• Mentally preparing for an interview
• Trusting yourself
• The day-to-day of project management
• Would project management suit you?
• Top tips for pursuing project management roles
• Benefitting from a supportive community
• Committing to new things outside of work
• Getting excited about “whatever comes next”

Links:

AAT Jobs Board - Filter by 'Project Manager' to find similar roles

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help successfully you leave the classroom!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WORKSHOP... Your Classroom Exit Plan 💛

“I didn’t realise it … I think I was slowly burning out.”

Reception Teacher Georgi followed her passions into the world of education, but felt numb and burnt out by her last year in the classroom. Stumbling upon the Adventures After Teaching Academy, she loved the supportive community, practical resources, and tools to navigate all the ‘what ifs?’ of career change.

Leveraging the power of LinkedIn to make connections, Georgi explored her passions once again, landing herself a job as a Zoo Education Officer (doesn’t it sound amazing?!) after a wonderfully positive interview experience. She now enjoys varied days, showcasing her creativity and organisational skills across two areas of interest: wildlife and education.

In this episode, we also chat:

• Identity crisis
• Not knowing what to do
• Navigating LinkedIn whilst still teaching
• Growth, confidence, and connection on LinkedIn
• The most helpful resources for translating skills
• Feeling confident going in to an interview
• A day-in-the-life of a Zoo Education Officer (and the key skills you’ll need to get there!)
• Bringing fresh ideas to a role
• Following your interests to find career change joy

Links:

RSPB

Biaza

Wildlife Trust

Butterfly Conservation Trust

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help successfully you leave the classroom!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WORKSHOP... Your Classroom Exit Plan 💛

Once a Secondary Drama Teacher and Head of Drama, Serena felt frustrated with the “other elements” of teaching and wanted more time to focus on the “important stuff” with her students. Returning from maternity leave, and battling exhaustion both at work and at home, she was driven to seek a new role that better aligned with her values and passions.

Initially taking on her job search alone, Serena joined the Academy last April and went on to secure a fantastic role as a Schools Resources Manager. Taking the best bits of teaching with her, she is now enjoying being in control of her own diary, living life with renewed energy levels, being more present at home and defaulting to happiness!

In this episode, we’re also talking about:

• Frustration with the education system
• Finding the Academy at the right time
• Focusing on finding organisations with shared values
• Dealing with rejection
• Having options with transferable skills
• Relationship building through the first phone call
• Making a committed career change choice
• Enjoying more autonomy and flexibility
• The transformation from anxious to happy

Links:

LinkedIn for Teacher Career Change Course

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help successfully you leave the classroom!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WORKSHOP... Your Classroom Exit Plan 💛