Starting a new career

[Stormy]

At age 56, I am planning to leave my stress filled career. I could probably retire but would like to pursue the possibility of teaching kids. Anyone else have the experience of a radical career change in your 50s or 60s? Would appreciate reading about your experiences

[+ OliverSaks]

Radical career change in my 20s...

 

Loving the decision so far ?

[+ E.T.Bass]

The time might be right to test the waters. Organizations are looking for talent and many are ready to offer a competitive package. I felt stuck in place going on 17 years. Jumped to another spot in our corporation. Got a promotion and a raise that I wouldn't have gotten in the old group. I don't miss the old grind. The new job is challenging but that is fine. I'm learning new tools and processes. I'm satisfied.

[Walker1]

One my cousins is a teacher and she hates it. Today's kids are not like the old days-no respect for elders. She can't wait to retire. Of course it may vary by school district, she is in a sketchy area.

[+ jeezopete]

would like to pursue the possibility of teaching kids

I would definitely suggest you speak with some teachers in your area, specifically some who work with the age group you're considering teaching. I've taught for 36 years, and the profession has changed drastically over those years. My state bases teachers' salary increases (when there's $ available after cuts) on student test scores. The majority of a teacher's annual evaluation is based on student test scores. Schools are also graded based on, you guessed it...student test scores. The biggest challenges however, in my opinion, are student behavior and parent accountability. When a parent is contacted about student misbehavior he/she is most likely to:

a) deny the child's behavior ("I know for a fact my child didn't do that.")

b) blame the teacher

c) blame another student

d) contact the principal to complain about the teacher

e) join or form a facebook group to bash the teacher/school

 

There are positives to the profession, to be sure. I wouldn't have stayed this long if there weren't. But with only 3-4 years left before retirement, I really worry about new teachers coming in to this job.

[+ honcho]

A friend who worked in tech for a long time, took a three year stint teaching math, and although the serious students loved his classes and had nothing but respect from other teacher, he gave up because of behaviorial problems with many students in his class, and went back to working in tech.

[+ Charlie]

Before making that jump, I would suggest becoming involved in a volunteer program working with kids, to see how you actually feel about spending lots of time with them. That said, being a formal teacher is not the same as just enjoying being with them--see @jeezopete's post above. It is a career, with its own professional obligations which may be just as stressful as what you are dealing with now.

[+ Charlie]

Before making that jump, I would suggest becoming involved in a volunteer program working with kids, to see how you actually feel about spending lots of time with them. That said, being a formal teacher is not the same as just enjoying being with them--see @jeezopete's post above. It is a career, with its own professional obligations which may be just as stressful as what you are dealing with now.

[RM]

I suppose you could make a real difference if you start teaching. New teachers often get assigned to the worst schools in the district.

[+ José Soplanucas]

At age 56, I am planning to leave my stress filled career. I could probably retire but would like to pursue the possibility of teaching kids. Anyone else have the experience of a radical career change in your 50s or 60s? Would appreciate reading about your experiences

 

I switched careers at 40 y.o.. From a middle level management position in the Argentinean federal government, to high school teacher in Washington DC.

 

DC is one of the toughest school districts, but I still love what I do. Most times. After doing it for 17 years I do feel sometimes frustrated and unhappy. However, most days I leave my job happy, proud, and fulfilled. I love most of my students and colleagues, and most of them love me. This coming year will be my 17th year as a teacher.

 

If I were still teaching the same load I was during my first 10 years, I would probably be unhappy and dreaming of retiring. However, becoming an effective senior teacher in a profession where most do not survive beyond their 3rd/5th year comes with great privileges: more money and less sections to teach. Until 5 years ago I was planing to retire early at 62, but now I am considering to go on up to 67, if I am able to keep my nowadays conditions.

 

Think very well about becoming a teacher, and research very well the school district and the school where you are planning to teach. Whether or not the career is a good match for you, I cannot tell. I can tell this: if you are looking for a stress free job, you are looking in the wrong place.

[+ Topseed]

I’m becoming a Senior Ninja. No one suspects old people......?

[Guest]

Boy, and I thought this was going to be about an escort looking to find a new line of work. I think one can't just "decide" to teach children. One has to get a college degree and a teaching certificate, which take years. I wouldn't want to start all that at 56. Are you really sure that's what you want?

[+ jeezopete]

One has to get a college degree and a teaching certificate

 

Many states are so desperate for teachers that for quite a few years now they've had programs which allow districts to hire people with degrees in other areas. They place them in teaching positions and allow them time to take courses and/or exams toward educational certification...while they teach.

My personal, well professional opinion, is that it's a slap in the face to those of us who completed 4 years + to earn our bachelor's/master's degrees. What other professions that require degrees allow you to do the job while you work toward your certification?

[+ José Soplanucas]

[quote="jeezopete, post: 1754487, member: 7378"

My personal, well professional opinion, is that it's a slap in the face to those of us who completed 4 years + to earn our bachelor's/master's degrees. What other professions that require degrees allow you to do the job while you work toward your certification?

 

True. But it is also true there is a shortage and you do need someone to teach those classes. Teacher inception programs are not the best path to become a teacher and to serve students the best possible way, but they are a response to a situation that otherwise would create unmanageable classrooms with 80 students.

[rvwnsd]

At age 56, I am planning to leave my stress filled career. I could probably retire but would like to pursue the possibility of teaching kids. Anyone else have the experience of a radical career change in your 50s or 60s? Would appreciate reading about your experiences

You've received some very sound commentary and advice. Here's some more food for thought. Is it possible to move into a training delivery role at your current firm? A number of colleagues have moved into training roles from management, sales administration, and technology (yes, technology) to teach classes on corporate culture, the "voice" of the company, and software applications. It could be the first step in the direction of retirement.

[+ sniper]

Many states are so desperate for teachers that for quite a few years now they've had programs which allow districts to hire people with degrees in other areas. They place them in teaching positions and allow them time to take courses and/or exams toward educational certification...while they teach.

My personal, well professional opinion, is that it's a slap in the face to those of us who completed 4 years + to earn our bachelor's/master's degrees. What other professions that require degrees allow you to do the job while you work toward your certification?

Actuaries, for one.

I think it depends greatly on the subject whether it matters that they have a degree in education. Most engineers could teach HS math and science reasonably competently IMO. That doesn't mean they are suited temperamentally to do it, but that's another question.

Teaching is also different in that it's a profession people observed growing up, it's not like they have ZERO idea what goes on in the job.

[Guest]

...Teaching is also different in that it's a profession people observed growing up, it's not like they have ZERO idea what goes on in the job.

 

Well, if he's 56, going to school in the 60s and 70s, it may not be a zero idea, but it may be an incorrect idea if he thinks things haven't changed.

[LaffingBear]

No advice regarding teaching... but in response to

Anyone else have the experience of a radical career change in your 50s or 60s?

 

No career change. But at 53, I'd had enough of the BS that accompanied my job. And walked away, became an independent consultant. I'd lived frugally, within my means, and had the nest egg that afforded it. My earnings dropped, depending on the year, to between 30 and 60 percent of my former salary.

 

Perhaps unjustified... but I was actually proud to tell others what I'd done. So many people grind it out in jobs they hate... its astonishing. Whether its the work ethic, a bizarre interpretation that quitting is failing, just being stuck in a routine, or the need for the paycheck and benefits... people get up in the morning, dreading the day ahead of them and trudge off to work. Its not worth it. I felt I'd struck a blow for the worker stuck in a bad job.

[RealAvalon]

Many states are so desperate for teachers that for quite a few years now they've had programs which allow districts to hire people with degrees in other areas. They place them in teaching positions and allow them time to take courses and/or exams toward educational certification...while they teach.

My personal, well professional opinion, is that it's a slap in the face to those of us who completed 4 years + to earn our bachelor's/master's degrees. What other professions that require degrees allow you to do the job while you work toward your certification?

Yes. Other trades use apprenticeships

[KeepItReal]

I say go for it! Sometimes you have to let go of the handle bars and reach for the sky!

[+ jeezopete]

Yes. Other trades use apprenticeships

From https://www.itworldcanada.com/blog/information-technology-trade-or-profession/377759

 

TRADE: A skilled job, typically one requiring primarily manual skills and special training.

 

PROFESSION: A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation with continued learning during the practice of the profession.

 

One comparison I found online said it best in my opinion:

“Profession vs trade – A professional is an individual who has gone to college and often professional school or university in order to learn the technical background of a complex job. A tradesperson is someone who has been trained in a particular trade that more often than not uses more physical skill and dexterity. Professionals are doctors, lawyers, accountants, economists, professors, teachers, etc. Tradespeople are carpenters, auto mechanics, electricians, beauticians, waitresses and waiters, etc.”

[RealAvalon]

From https://www.itworldcanada.com/blog/information-technology-trade-or-profession/377759

 

TRADE: A skilled job, typically one requiring primarily manual skills and special training.

 

PROFESSION: A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation with continued learning during the practice of the profession.

 

One comparison I found online said it best in my opinion:

 

“Profession vs trade – A professional is an individual who has gone to college and often professional school or university in order to learn the technical background of a complex job. A tradesperson is someone who has been trained in a particular trade that more often than not uses more physical skill and dexterity. Professionals are doctors, lawyers, accountants, economists, professors, teachers, etc. Tradespeople are carpenters, auto mechanics, electricians, beauticians, waitresses and waiters, etc.”

It's a debate within the field of work

[Ryan Roman]

I've been in my profession 21 years and while I'm very good at it, the last 4 years have been among stressful and least enjoyable What stops me from bolting are the "golden handcuffs" of being about to retire in 9 years (I'll be 55). I never thought I'd be 44 and looking for a new challenge... Best of luck too alll of you who have the balls to do it!

[+ Charlie]

There is a difference between teaching at the elementary school level, where a degree in education is usually required, and teaching at a higher level, where it is as important to have knowledge of a particular subject matter, like math, biology or a foreign language. Most schools which are hiring teachers without training in education are looking for people with some specialized subject expertise, who can teach that subject at high school level while working towards professional credentials in education. My sense is that Stormy is thinking about teaching younger children, which requires a different kind of training, and--in my experience--a different kind of personality than someone who is subject-oriented.

[+ E.T.Bass]

At age 56, I am planning to leave my stress filled career. I could probably retire but would like to pursue the possibility of teaching kids. Anyone else have the experience of a radical career change in your 50s or 60s? Would appreciate reading about your experiences

 

One thing I always told myself, "a job is a job." Ups and downs kind of things happen everywhere.

 

But then, I also thought whether I'd be sorry not having tried something different, that I'd been in the same role for so %$#@ long. So I did take steps.

 

Getting involved with teaching kids sounds noble, but definitely not for me. What if that kind of role turns out to be stressful, and thankless.

 

Kudos to you if you have skills and emotional intelligence to do it.