Dear Career Advisor

I read with interest the response given last week to the reader who wants a career change, and I see where I can benefit as I too have found myself in a similar situation. I am a trained teacher of English, but I no longer want to continue with teaching. My desire to change is not because of the students, as I love them dearly and rejoice in their successes. I also get on very well with their parents. It is just that I don’t feel that as an individual I am growing professionally and capitalising on my potential. I don’t want to become a school administrator.

What would you suggest I do? I fear that future employers might consider me a quitter. What else could I do?

Yours truly,

Ingrid Mc

Dear Ingrid:

We are happy you have found the suggestions useful.

Many successful people began their professional journey in teaching. You will not be alone in this transition as multiple career changes is common among professionals, even more so now than ever before. Being engaged in a job you love does not mean you have to do that job for the rest of your life, and making a career change from teaching does not make you a failure. However, be prepared to state your reason(s) for desiring the career change in positive terms.

There are many rewarding careers that will allow you to work directly with children or with people in general. One option is to become an entrepreneur by providing direct teaching or educational support services. There are many parents who desire to have their children home-schooled, but who are not able to adequately cater to the wide-ranging needs of this option. There is also a niche market for children with special needs, as well as for after-school support and care services.

Outside of education and teaching, there are several possibilities that you could explore. As was discussed in the last edition, do a self-assessment to identify your transferrable skills. As a teacher, your training would have allowed you to develop strengths such as:

• Communication (speaking, writing, listening)

• Creativity (designing, decorating, spatial layout, and utilisation)

• Analysis (data gathering, survey development, research, and data analysis)

• People skills (interpersonal, motivational, persuasion)

• Technical skills (computer skills, etc)

These and other skills are very applicable and needed in a number of professions and industries.

Your next task will be to explore areas in which you might have interest and perceive that you would enjoy doing with a level of satisfaction. Among the possible options are:

• Sales, and customer support services

• Media and communication (journalism, public relations, marketing, news and feature writing, etc)

• Administration and management

• The legal field (judicial support services, and legal assistance)

• Author, editor, or publisher

The possibilities are endless, really. Think about the kind of growth you are seeking Ñ your dreams, your aspirations, the void you seek to have filled. Think about what it is you wish to accomplish and identify routes to getting there. Follow your heart and live your dream.

Good luck!

Carolyn Marie Smith is associate vice-president of student affairs at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Submit your questions to her at careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm.