According to some surveys, nearly half of all new educators transition out of teaching during the first five years. If you are about to become one of those former educators, you may be wondering what direction your new career will take and how your resume will help you get there.
In many instances, the transition from educator to employment in another field is almost seamless. For example:
- Math educators to positions in finance, insurance, or forecasting
- Science educators to positions in pharmaceutical, healthcare, engineering, or aerospace
- English educators to positions in marketing, public relations, or social media
- Language educators to positions in global industries
- Computer educators to positions in IT, software development, or help desks
But former educators are not limited to those positions. You have soft skills—relationship building, communication, tracking, problem-solving, keeping in alignment with regulations—that are valuable in any field and at every level of an organization. With leadership and employee motivation a top priority for many companies, educators also have a natural fit for corporate training and Human Resources positions.
Your resume should highlight both your hard and soft skills, with an emphasis on those accomplishments and daily tasks as a teacher that would make you a good fit for the position you want. It is very important that you know where you want to fit in any organization, as recruiters and hiring managers will not determine this for you. Finally, you should prepare yourself for a new position by taking courses, applying for certifications, or handling consulting or volunteer jobs that prepare you with concrete knowledge and experience.
If you need help to envision your new career outside education or to create a resume that highlights your value to a company, please contact Robin’s Resumes®. As a certified Job and Career Transition Coach as well as a recognized resume writing expert, I can help ensure that your transition into the corporate world is a smooth, enjoyable, and profitable one.