No, you did not choose the wrong career path. A job in education is an important one. With the right skillset and personality, a teacher's job can be rewarding and impactful. You also have great benefits, a pension and can usually take early retirement if financially able to do so. Many teachers are able to have side gigs due to the hours worked and summers off. You should not have to reinvent the wheel at this point in your life. I often see jobs for training in the private sector. If you play your cards right, with 10 years of employment elsewhere, you may be able to pick up another pension when you retire. Concentrate on your skillset and transfer those skills elsewhere. You should definitely have other opportunities. Good luck to you!