Your Career Change from IT to Teaching is the eighth guide in our Career Change series. We put the spotlight on a career and how to transition into it. In this guide, you’ll discover the benefits of changing careers from IT to teaching and the steps you need to take to make the switch.
Switching from IT to teaching offers a path to job satisfaction that comes from helping and inspiring others. If you’re looking to use your tech skills in an educational setting or seek a fresh career direction, teaching can be an impactful and rewarding path.
Should I Make a Career Change from IT to Teaching?
Before taking the plunge into a new career, it’s essential to weigh up the pros and cons. Here are some factors to consider:
Pros
- Job satisfaction and purpose: Teaching can be deeply fulfilling as it directly influences students’ learning and growth. If your values align with mentorship, education, and community impact, teaching is an excellent fit.
- Transferable skills in demand: As an IT professional, your strong analytical and problem-solving skills are valuable, especially in subjects like computer science, maths, and other STEM areas. These transferable skills can give you an edge, particularly in secondary education where tech literacy is increasingly essential.
- Career stability and benefits: Teaching offers stability, with added benefits like pension plans, holiday breaks, and advancement opportunities. Many find that teaching provides a balanced work-life dynamic, especially compared to the fast-paced nature of the tech industry.
Cons
- Adjusting to the classroom environment: Shifting from an office environment to a classroom requires patience and adaptability, especially if your job in IT allows you to work remotely. Classroom management is an entirely new skill that requires training and practice to engage students successfully.
- Different career growth path: Career progression in teaching tends to be more structured. Unlike IT, where lateral and vertical growth opportunities are common, education offers a more streamlined path, mainly within teaching or school administration roles.
- New certification requirements: Teaching in the UK requires specific qualifications like the PGCE or School-Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT). This involves additional time and commitment, often at least a year of study and practical training.
As with any career change, we always recommend doing your own research into your desired field. Education is a very different career path from IT, so you’ll need to be sure about your decision and the area of teaching you want to move into.
You may also need to consider relocating to another city or town where teachers are in demand.
Your Career Change: How to Change Careers from IT to Teaching
Transitioning from IT to teaching requires strategic preparation, specific qualifications, and adaptability to new skills. Here’s a comprehensive guide to navigating each stage of the transition.
1. Understand the Role and Requirements
First, get a sense of the teaching pathway that aligns best with your background, interests, and preferred student age group. In the UK, teaching is generally categorised as primary or secondary education, each requiring a different approach.
If you have an affinity for subjects like computer science or mathematics, secondary education may be ideal, allowing you to teach students specialising in these areas. If you prefer working with younger students, consider primary education, which involves teaching a broader curriculum and managing younger learners’ unique needs.
2. Explore Certification Options
Teaching requires formal training and certification in the UK, so your next step is understanding the qualifications needed. Most IT professionals moving into education pursue one of these main pathways:
- PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education): This one-year course combines academic study with practical teaching experience and is a popular option for career changers.
- SCITT (School-Centred Initial Teacher Training): This school-led option provides an alternative approach, allowing you to gain hands-on classroom experience with students, supported by formal training.
- Teach First: For those wanting a rapid transition, Teach First provides on-the-job training, allowing you to teach while completing your qualifications.
Research each route to decide which best fits your goals and time commitment, and start planning your application and enrolment process.
➡️ Bonus reading: 5 Professional Courses For Career Changers
3. Gain Classroom Experience
Gaining experience with students is often required for admission into teacher training programmes. Start by volunteering as a teaching assistant or mentor in a local school. This gives you valuable exposure to the school environment and helps you develop essential classroom management skills.
You might also consider tutoring students, especially in subjects you’ll likely teach, such as computer science or mathematics. This experience will bolster your application by showing your commitment to education and ability to engage students effectively.
4. Develop Key Teaching Skills
Transitioning from IT to teaching involves learning new skills essential to managing a classroom. Focus on these key areas:
- Classroom management: Developing strategies to keep students engaged and maintain order is crucial. Start with online resources or short courses to learn classroom management basics.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Every school day presents unique challenges, and each student’s needs vary. Just like in It, adaptability is also crucial in the world of teaching.
- Communication and Presentation: Teachers need to communicate complex concepts clearly and engagingly. If this is new to you, you might want to practise these skills to ensure that you can convey ideas effectively.
➡️ You might be interested in: In-Demand Skills: What Employers Want
5. Prepare Your CV and Cover Letter for Education Roles
Crafting an impactful CV and cover letter is essential for a smooth career change. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant technical and interpersonal skills. Make sure to emphasise your background in IT as a strength for teaching STEM or digital literacy subjects.
Include any experience where you trained or mentored others in IT, as this shows your potential to explain complex concepts and guide learners. Highlighting these experiences along with your patience, communication abilities, and adaptability will position you well for teaching roles.
➡️ Bonus reading: How to Emphasise Transferable Skills
6. Apply for Teaching Roles
Once qualified, begin searching for roles that match your new skill set. Explore positions within schools or educational programmes that prioritise tech expertise.
- Secondary Schools: Many secondary schools have dedicated departments for computer science and other STEM subjects. With your background, you’re well-suited to help students build their digital skills.
- Further Education Colleges: Teaching in further education, such as at a college level, can be a rewarding option, especially if you’d like to help students develop career-ready skills.
The Refreshing a Career jobs board is packed with all the latest teaching roles for anyone looking to make a career change from IT to teaching.
