Top Career Paths for Former Teachers: New Opportunities Await

Teaching is a noble profession, whether as a school teacher or a professor. All teaching jobs are highly respected and reflect a person’s abilities, character, and dedication. It is a challenging job, suitable only for a few special individuals. This profession is beneficial for both current and former teachers, as it allows them to develop many transferable skills and knowledge. These skills are valuable when searching for new opportunities. Jobs for former teachers are available because their teaching experience provides them with useful skills. Therefore, finding jobs for former teachers can be easier due to their broad expertise. Their background helps them secure diverse jobs beyond teaching.

Nowadays, teachers may leave their professions due to retirement or other valid reasons. According to the Learning Policy Institute, 8% of teachers in America leave the field every year.

So, if one leaves their teaching job they are in good company. However, before leaving the job one must:

• Process and Reflect: Take time to think deeply about your feelings and experiences in teaching. Consider both the positive and negative aspects of your role. Reflecting on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown can help clarify your thoughts and emotions, ensuring you make a well-informed decision about whether to stay or move on.
• Make a Pros-Cons List: Create a list of the benefits and drawbacks of your teaching job. Write down what you love about teaching, such as student connections and personal growth, alongside the challenges, like heavy workloads and stress. This visual representation can help you weigh your options and see if the positives outweigh the negatives in your current situation.
• Think Why You Enjoy Teaching: Identify the specific reasons you love teaching. Is it the joy of helping students learn? The excitement of sharing your knowledge? Understanding what brings you fulfillment can reinforce your passion for the profession or highlight what might be missing. Recognizing these aspects can guide you in deciding whether to continue teaching or seek a different path.
• Process the Reasons Behind Leaving: Examine the factors influencing your desire to leave. Are you feeling burned out, unsupported, or underpaid? Understanding the root causes can help you make sense of your feelings. This reflection can also guide you in exploring potential new career options that align better with your values and goals, ensuring a smoother transition.

This way they can be sure of their decision and get hints about potential career options.

10 Best Jobs For Former Teachers

There are many exciting jobs for former teachers who utilize their skills in new ways. For instance, teaching experience can lead to roles such as educational consultants, where former teachers advise schools and parents. Another option is becoming a career coach, helping individuals find the right career path. Additionally, jobs for former teachers can include roles like corporate trainers, where they educate employees within businesses. These career paths offer former teachers the chance to use their expertise in varied settings. Understanding these jobs for former teachers helps them find rewarding opportunities beyond traditional teaching roles. Now, let’s look into the some of top career options for teachers listed below in depth –

1. Corporate Trainer
2. Education Consultant
3. Subject Matter Expert at Chegg India
4. Career Coach
5. Tutor
6. Textbook Writer
7. Editor
8. Paralegal
9. Sales Representative
10. Researcher

1. Corporate Trainer

A corporate trainer is a job for teachers who have good management skills. While the role of a corporate trainer is different from traditional teaching, individuals with a teaching degree can excel in this field. Corporate trainers are responsible for educating and training employees within a business or organization. This type of role is one of the many jobs for former teachers, as it leverages their teaching skills in a new setting. Jobs for former teachers like corporate training utilize their ability to explain complex concepts and engage learners. Therefore, former teachers can find success in corporate training roles, making it a valuable career option. Exploring jobs for former teachers in this area can be a rewarding choice.

In this job, one needs to use teaching skills to develop programs and train employees. They must also provide updates on performance and how to do better. They can also collaborate with management to develop methods for creating a working environment.

A corporate trainer’s job is to manage and teach the company’s employees. They help employees in upskilling and keeping track of performance. They also ensure the employees use their skills to meet the company’s goals.

Educational Requirement:

Assess the skills you already possess as a teacher, such as communication, adaptability, interpersonal skills, and classroom management. Recognize how these skills can be applied in a corporate training context. Transitioning from a teacher to a corporate trainer involves building on your existing skills and acquiring new ones relevant to the corporate environment, such as professional development, corporate experience, and technology skills.

Salary:

The average pay of a job for teachers as a corporate trainer is INR 456,781 per year. The pay for an entry-level trainer is INR 253,000 per year. It can go up to INR 675,000 per year with experience and time.

2. Education Consultant

Being an educational consultant is a great job for former teachers with strong consulting and advising skills. This role involves providing expert advice in schools and offices on various educational matters. Jobs for former teachers in this field include consulting with parents, teachers, school boards, and students to offer valuable educational guidance. As an educational consultant, former teachers use their experience to help others make informed decisions about academics. This position is one of the many jobs for former teachers that allows them to continue contributing their knowledge and skills in a different but impactful way.

Consultants advise these individuals to build the proper mindset and routes to get to goals. They may work with them to use the right technology, and applicable classroom size and improve curriculums.

Consultants work with students to create new features, transition educational programs, guide teachers, and recommend textbooks. They may also help them prepare for college essays and give information about financial aid.

However, to become a consultant one must be experienced and knowledgeable. Teaching experience is a must for these individuals to work with different types of people. They must also have good communication and interpersonal skills.

Educational Requirement:

An aspiring educational consultant must have a master’s degree in education. Along with this, they must instill leadership, communication, interpersonal skills, etc.

In case, a former teacher doesn’t have a master’s degree, they may pursue it as it will be very beneficial in increasing their knowledge and consulting skills.

Salary:

The average salary of a teaching-related job as an educational consultant is INR 3,30,927 per year. However, it may vary depending on one’s experience, skills, location, and qualifications.

The starting salary for an educational consultant is INR 1.3 lakhs per year. However, it can go up to INR 11.1 lakhs per year with experience and time.

3. Subject Matter Expert at Chegg India

A subject matter expert at Chegg India is an excellent job for teachers. An SME, or Subject Matter Expert, is someone with advanced knowledge and experience in a specific area. This role is one of the many jobs for former teachers, as it leverages their deep understanding of a subject. Jobs for former teachers as SMEs involve providing expert advice and insights on their areas of expertise. Former teachers can use their background to excel in these positions, where they apply their knowledge to guide projects, develop content, or train others. Therefore, exploring jobs for former teachers as SMEs offers a great opportunity to utilize their specialized skills in a new context.

They are experts in a given field or subject and can help others. They have a hold over the issue and think in depth about the topics.

An SME is one of the most demanded job options today. According to research, teacher jobs as subject matter experts may increase by 14% by 2028. They are required in leading industries to bring change, improvement, and innovation.

Some skills that a Subject Matter expert must possess are:

• In-depth knowledge of the subject
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Free thinking
• Innovative and out-of-the-box thinking
• Good and clear communication skills

Work at Chegg as SME (Best Jobs for Former Teachers):

If one thinks they have the experience and knowledge to be an SME, Chegg India has a job offer for them. Chegg is a platform for enthusiastic teachers and helps in earning passive income. One can take their teaching career to the next level with Chegg India.

A former teacher must sign up at Chegg to be a Subject Matter Expert. They can earn soundly and get the experience required. Furthermore, they only need to dedicate a few hours and work according to their availability.

To be a Subject matter Expert at Chegg, one must follow these steps:

1. Sign in and Register through Chegg’s official website or click here.
2. Pass an online screening written test to prove their expertise.
3. Provide all the required documents like IDs and degrees for document verification
4. Start working and solving subject matter expert questions accurately.

Salary:

The average salary of a job in the teaching field as a Subject matter expert is INR 2,86,441 per year. However, one can earn up to INR 8,47, 437 according to their knowledge, and experience.

4. Career Coach

A career coach is a great job for former teachers who are interested in consulting and coaching. In this role, individuals help others discover the right career path for themselves. Jobs for former teachers as career coaches involve guiding clients to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and interests. They provide support and advice to help people make informed career choices. This role allows former teachers to use their skills in a new way, applying their experience in helping others achieve their goals. Thus, exploring jobs for former teachers as career coaches can be a rewarding and fulfilling career change.

Further, they use this knowledge about their clients to develop a future career plan for them. They can also analyze the client’s goals and work life to improve it. They may help in stress management, problem-solving, and communication.

Career coaches can work in companies as consultants. They may help employees train, reach goals, and generate a successful future. These coaches can also collaborate with schools to consult the students. This way they can ensure a successful future for the students and help manage stress.

Education Requirements:

The educational requirement to be a career coach is a bachelor’s degree in education. Along with this, prior teaching experience, communication skills, and career knowledge are essential.

However, educational certification and experience are equally important for coaching others.

Salary:

The average salary for a career coach is around INR 3,35,261. The places to get the highest salary for career coaching in India are:

• Mumbai: INR 3,82,226 per year
• Bengaluru: INR 3,79,951 per year

5. Tutor

Being a tutor is one of the easiest and most popular jobs for former teachers. Tutor jobs for former teachers offer flexibility, allowing them to choose work based on their preferences and availability. In this role, former teachers teach students in various subjects, helping them understand course material and improve their skills. Additionally, they create and check assignments to track student progress. This career option is ideal for former teachers who want to continue using their teaching skills in a more personalized setting. By exploring these tutor jobs for former teachers, individuals can find rewarding opportunities that fit their interests and schedules.

Tutors teach students individually and assist if needed. They especially assist students who need help with their studies. They can choose to teach students in groups or individually. Teachers with skills like note-taking and test preparation can do this job.

Tutors need to interact with many types of students to teach them. Thus, this is a great job option for former school teachers. Individuals with good communication and people skills can pursue this job as teachers.

Many individuals and companies are always looking for teachers to tutor students. Nowadays, tutors can also teach online via various applications. However, to do so they must have proper knowledge of technology.

Educational requirement:

A tutoring certificate is a must for individuals looking to become a tutor. They must also be aware of the latest techniques for teaching.

Salary:

The average salary of a tutor in India is around INR 2,88,168 per year. This can go up to INR 9,41,223 per year depending on experience.

6. Textbook Writer

Being a textbook writer is an excellent job for former teachers after retirement. It allows them to write and publish textbooks on subjects they are passionate about. For example, if a former teacher loves science, they might create a science textbook. This role is one of the many jobs for former teachers, offering them the chance to continue contributing to education in a meaningful way. Jobs for former teachers like textbook writing enable them to share their knowledge and expertise with future students. By pursuing these jobs for former teachers, retired educators can stay connected to their field while enjoying a new and fulfilling career path..

However, writing a textbook comes with many responsibilities and tasks. First, one must create an outline for the textbook and get it approved. Then they must research and write the textbook. But, they also need to provide regular updates to publishers.

A textbook writer must also decide the medium, audience and topic of the book. All this should be done in advance. It is very important as the format of the book changes completely depending on the medium and audience.

Educational Requirement:

There is no such educational requirement to become a textbook writer. However, one must try to gain expertise in a subject and research it. One can also build a portfolio to expand the client base and increase income.

Salary:

The average salary of a textbook writer is INR 2,73,953 per year. However, this can go up to INR 3,60,476 per year with time and experience.

7. Editor

A former teacher who is good at English and grammar can opt to be an editor. It is a job for teachers who wish to pursue a career in the writing field. The work of an editor is to review and edit content sent in by writers.

They must ensure the style of the content is according to requirements. They also check the grammar and readability of the content to edit anything if needed. Once they’ve checked and edited the content, they may send it to get published.

An editor’s job may also include proofreading and researching. This helps ensure the content is well-written and researched. Sometimes editors may also need to rewrite content to alter it according to requirements.

Educational Requirements:

Companies and individuals looking for editors desire a bachelor’s degree in English. Other than that this professional experience of working in a publication is also necessary. Thus, former English teachers can consider this job in the teaching field.

Salary:

The average salary of an editor in India is around INR 3,24,398 per year. It can go up to INR 7,73,628 per year depending on time and experience.

Recommended Read: Get Paid for Perfection: Best Proofreading Jobs Online

8. Paralegal

Becoming a paralegal is a job for teachers with knowledge of legal studies. A paralegal is like an uncertified lawyer in layman’s terms. They may work with and assist lawyers in organising and conducting cases.

To become a paralegal, one must have sufficient knowledge of legal studies. They must also keep studying the latest legal bills to update their knowledge. Being a paralegal is a full-time job that takes a lot of effort.

Thus, only those interested in legal studies must pursue this career. They can work with lawyers or individually. They must organize files, conduct legal research, and write documents for cases.

Educational Requirement:

Teachers interested in legal studies can work as paralegals for lawyers. Some countries also ask for state certification for this role. However, teachers can use their state certificate for teaching to become a paralegal. This way they can qualify and work as paralegals.

Salary:

The average salary for a paralegal is INR 2,76,551 per year. This can go up to INR 7,76,253 per year for individuals with experience and knowledge

9. Sales Representative

An individual with past knowledge in teaching can become a sales representative. This career option for teachers is based on people’s skills. One must know how to communicate well to work as a sales representative.

The primary work of a sales representative is to urge people to buy the company’s products. Some sales representatives also survey and seek company reviews from people. They also need to research competitors and use them for the company’s benefit.

Sales representatives may reach out to people via cold calls or emails. However, they can also approach people physically and sell products. The sales technique completely depends on the representative and the product.

Education requirements:

There is no specific educational requirement to become a sales representative. But, a teacher’s skills like communication and interpersonal skills are essential for this job. It is a good job for teachers and must be pursued. It offers high incomes and prospects.

Salary:

The average salary of a sales representative is INR 2,57,200 per year. However, the salary can go up to INR 5,64,958 per year with time and knowledge.

10. Researcher

A former teacher can choose to work as a researcher. It is the job of teachers interested in researching and examining information. They may refer to sources to research information, assemble it, and present it to employers.

A researcher’s main job is to research and examine the information given to them. They must ensure the information given is legitimate and not fake. This must be done before publishing any content to ensure its legitimacy.

Researchers can find work in various fields and gather information to fulfill the company’s goals. They may research fields like consumer behavior, environment, stock market, etc. Furthermore, they can also check the authenticity of the content and publish it.

Educational Requirements:

To work as a researcher, one must have a bachelor’s degree in any field. However, it is not as important as experience and skills. One must be experienced and research topics of interest. One can also tailor one’s resume according to the job to increase employment opportunities.

Salary:

The average salary for a researcher is INR 2,47,044 per year. However, this can go up to INR 12,06, 912 per year with experience and time.

Remote Jobs for Former Teachers

The descriptions for each remote job option for former teachers ae as follows:

1. Online Tutor: Teach students in various subjects through platforms like TutorABC and PlanetSpark. This role allows you to use your teaching skills to help students worldwide. Flexible hours and the ability to work from home make it an attractive option.
2. Curriculum Developer: Create educational content and strategies for schools or online platforms. This job involves designing lesson plans, assessments, and instructional materials. It’s perfect for those who enjoy creating engaging and effective learning experiences.
3. Instructional Designer: Design engaging learning materials using multimedia and technology. You’ll work on developing e-learning courses, training programs, and educational resources. This role combines creativity with educational expertise to enhance learning outcomes.
4. Test Scorer: Grade exams and provide feedback to students. This job involves evaluating student performance on standardized tests and assignments. It’s a great way to stay connected to education without the demands of a classroom.
5. Content Writer: Write educational materials, guides, and articles. Use your knowledge to create informative and engaging content for educational websites, textbooks, and other resources. This role offers the flexibility to work on various projects and topics.

The Bottom Line: Jobs For Former Teachers

After retirement, there are many jobs for former teachers to consider. However, it’s important for them to pursue careers that truly suit their interests and skills. This approach ensures that they remain engaged and perform well in their roles. One of the best jobs for former teachers is freelancing at Chegg. This opportunity allows them to work in a field they love while enjoying the flexibility to set their own hours. Freelancing at Chegg can provide a valuable source of income, making it an essential option for retired educators. By choosing jobs for former teachers that align with their passions, they can create a fulfilling post-retirement career. So, sign up now and explore the possibilities!

Companies that Hire Former Teachers

The descriptions for each company that hires former teachers:

1. Pearson: Offers roles in curriculum development, educational consulting, and content creation. Former teachers can contribute to developing educational materials and assessments. Pearson values the practical classroom experience that teachers bring to their projects.
2. Discovery Education: Hires former teachers for content development and instructional design. Teachers can help create engaging digital content and resources for K-12 education. This role allows you to impact education on a larger scale.
3. Guild Education: Provides opportunities in program management and educational consulting. Former teachers can support adult learners and workforce education programs. Guild Education values the mentoring and guidance skills of teachers.
4. Paper: Employs former teachers as online tutors and academic support specialists. This role involves providing real-time tutoring and homework help to students. It’s a flexible job that allows teachers to continue helping students succeed.
5. GoGuardian: Focuses on educational technology, hiring former teachers for product development and training. Teachers can contribute to creating tools that enhance student safety and learning. This role combines tech skills with educational expertise.
6. Newsela: Offers roles in content creation and curriculum development. Former teachers can help create engaging, standards-aligned reading materials. Newsela values the ability of teachers to make content relevant and accessible to students.
7. Panorama Education: Hires for roles in data analysis and educational consulting. Teachers can help schools improve student outcomes through data-driven insights. This role leverages teachers’ understanding of educational environments and student needs.
8. McGraw Hill: Provides opportunities in content development and educational consulting. Former teachers can contribute to creating textbooks and digital learning resources. McGraw Hill values the practical insights teachers bring to educational content creation.

Conclusion

Former educators bring a diverse set of transferable skills, including effective communication, strong organizational abilities, and adept problem-solving, which render them well-suited for a variety of professional paths. They can seamlessly move into positions within corporate training, human resources, educational sales, curriculum development, and consulting. Their specialized expertise opens doors to opportunities in areas such as data analysis, content creation, and journalism. A wealth of resources and organizations is available to assist former educators in navigating their career transitions, providing support in resume crafting, job searching, and skill enhancement. By capitalizing on their strengths and interests, former educators can discover rewarding positions that resonate with their aspirations and principles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Here are some useful resources:

• How To Start With Online Teaching In India?
• 6 Simple Steps to Teach Online and Earn Money in India