If you are thinking about leaving the field of education and are looking for alternatives to teaching, here are some ideas you can use to begin brainstorming a new career. You can use various skills from the classroom which can include jobs from becoming a corporate trainer to working in communication.
Here’s a list of alternatives to teaching to help you get started!
Corporate Trainer/Training Specialist: Develop and conduct training programs for employees within a company.
Instructional Designer: Create educational materials, courses, and curriculum for various industries.
Educational Consultant: Provide expertise to schools, districts, or educational organizations on curriculum development, teacher training, and educational policies.
Education Technology Specialist: Work on the development and implementation of educational technology tools and platforms.
Human Resources Specialist: Use communication and interpersonal skills to recruit, train, and manage personnel within an organization.
Content Developer/Writer: Create educational content for textbooks, online courses, or educational websites.
Museum Educator: Develop and conduct educational programs within museums, science centers, or cultural institutions.
Corporate Communication Specialist: Manage internal and external communication strategies for businesses.
Learning and Development Specialist: Design and implement training programs for employees in various industries.
Education Policy Analyst: Analyze and evaluate education policies, providing recommendations for improvement.
Social Media Manager for Education: Manage social media accounts and online presence for educational organizations or companies.
Community Outreach Coordinator: Work for non-profit organizations or government agencies to coordinate educational programs and initiatives within communities.
Curriculum Developer for EdTech Companies: Design and create educational content for technology-based learning platforms.
Librarian/Information Specialist: Work in libraries or information centers to organize and provide access to educational resources.
Adult Education Coordinator: Develop and manage programs for adult learners in community colleges, adult education centers, or vocational training institutions.
Training and Development Manager: Oversee the training programs and professional development opportunities within a company.
Career Counselor: Assist individuals in making career decisions and developing career plans.
Health Educator: Educate individuals and communities about health-related topics and promote healthy lifestyles.
Curriculum Sales Representative: Sell educational materials and resources to schools and institutions.
Online Course Instructor: Teach courses on online platforms in areas of expertise.
These alternative careers allow individuals with a background in education to apply their skills in diverse fields and industries. It’s important to explore options that align with your interests and expertise.
Please read this article about alternatives to teaching and jobs after teaching all the way to the end. New jobs are posted as our partnerships grow.
Updated list of companies below for 3/31/2023! See below for more information, follow me on LinkedIn, and find the latest companies looking for you!
Education major? Alternatives to teaching and jobs for former teachers!
What can you do with an education degree? If you’ve ever said the words, “I want to quit teaching,” this list of companies outside the classroom may be a great place to begin your research.
What other jobs can teachers do? At some point in our lives, we all need alternatives-to everything. When we look at making a change in our lives, we must focus on something new, and this is where alternative energy, self-reflection and risk-taking comes into our lives.
As an educator, you are the most important person in a classroom. Teaching is one of the most noble professions. You make a difference. This article was written out of demand from those who want to change careers.
Please note, I am an advocate for teachers. However, I believe that if a teacher is not happy in the classroom, the students are not happy. Thus, it is time to look into alternatives to classroom teaching.
Therefore, if you are looking for alternatives to teaching, this can be a high-level place to begin.
The skills teachers acquire are in high-demand and they are also transferable to a host of occupations. If you teach, you have alternatives. You can create courses, train, advise, write and still make a difference. Below are some companies that can be considered non teaching jobs in education.
Updated list of companies as of 3/31/2022
Fidelity Investments
Larson Texts, Inc.
Paper
Nearpod
Brainpop
Kahoot!
Discovery Education
IXL Learning
Parentsquare
Illuminate Education
Alternatives to teaching: companies that hire those with an education background or degree: Non teaching jobs in education
NWEA
The New Teacher Project
Edison Learning
Panasonic
BP
Learning Resources
Encyclopedia Britannica
West Ed
NLU McCormick Center for Early Childhood
Language Stars
Wowzers
Shmoop
Teach For America
k12
Clarity Consultants
Connections Academy
Boardwork
Looking to make extra money? Check out TinkerEd because they pair teachers with edtech companies looking for feedback.
Interested in EdTech? Check out EdSurge Jobs.
Please be sure to join our private Facebook teacher’s forum, where I share job opportunities, teacher discounts and more.
To read some of my personal story, please visit LinkedIn’s Member Blog.
- To read about a teacher who left the field, learn about his alternatives to teaching, and gain insight about his real life experience, please read this article: Why I Left Teaching, And When You Should, Too.
- Also, read about his journey and learn about his tips: The Dark Side Ain’t Half Bad.
- Be sure to follow us on Facebook for articles about education.
Considering Alternatives: Making a Change
Alternatives to teaching: Learning New Skills
Teachers can also work in higher education institutions which include: admissions, advising, transcript evaluation, registrar’s office, etc. Junior colleges also tend to hire teachers with master’s degrees, and there are a host of online schools coming online all of the time.
Government organizations have jobs that require teacher skills as well. The list above is only an example of different alternatives and choices and is not meant to be comprehensive.
If you pursued secondary education and earned a degree in a specific discipline, you may have various opportunities specific to the pedagogical area.
For example, if you also majored in science, there are possible jobs within local museums, parks, and research institutions. If you majored in spanish, there are possible jobs with various organizations looking for bilingual speakers, many within government or even with initiatives such as El Futoro.
Best careers for former teachers?
There are many, but you must be willing to change your life. Keeping an open mind along with a positive attitude is an imperative part of job searching.
Stay positive, keep your head up and the right fit will come along, be it in the classroom or not (this is coming from me, a former waitress turned teacher, turned academic advisor, turned writer). What alternatives to teaching along your career path are you possibly considering?
All of us, in any given profession, must keep an eye open for alternatives. All careers are at risk, technology is moving fast, and change is the only constant.
Best career changes for teachers opens up an entire new world, one that can be challenging and amazing at the same time.
