There are very few people around who will not be fearful of their jobs in this present climate. Those who aren’t aren’t telling the truth. Whilst there are of course, businesses and organisations that will sail through the current crisis, we should all be taking the time to regroup and refocus our efforts into working through what is bound to become a whole new world (to quote Aladdin)

So… My brother works for a large supermarket chain (people will always need food) my father is a senior civil servant (society will always need prisons) and my sister in law, well, without realising it she maybe made the best career choice of all.

So whilst staking Cola and managing infidels might not carry the most job satisfaction, those jobs aren’t going anywhere at least. My Sis in law is an education professional, so whilst I’d pretty much say she has a job for life, I’m sure others would agree that it is a profession that carries with it a lot of pride.

No one will tell you that teaching is easy. Nor is it likely to make you rich.

Yet, survey after survey finds that people who choose teaching careers are enthusiastic about their work. Career satisfaction among teachers—and especially new teachers—is very high. In a recent national poll, 96 percent of young teachers said that they loved their jobs and 80 percent said that, if they had to start their careers over, they would still choose teaching. For these teachers, the profession has provided unparalleled personal, emotional and intellectual rewards. This new generation of teachers views teaching as a lifelong mission and is nearly unanimous in saying that teaching is the work that they were born to do.

The reasons for this passion are many. Most teachers surveyed said that the teaching “involves doing work that they love to do.” Most also agree that teaching, “gives a sense of being appreciated and respected.” Job security and opportunities for advancement were cited, as well, and most teachers feel that teaching enables them to spend time with their families and enjoy a fine quality of life.

Teaching is clearly an attractive option to those who are looking to change career paths and take jobs in schools, colleges or nurseries. In this article, Train to Teach fair reflects recruitment boom in the classroom, it mentions:

“People are increasingly turning to the teaching profession in a bid to beat the economic crisis.

Nearly 2,000 graduates and jobless people flocked to Birmingham for the two-day Train to Teach recruitment fair held at the Thinktank science museum at Millennium Point, Digbeth.

The figures were a massive 40 per cent up on last year’s attendance as people increasingly see the public sector, including teaching, as a safe haven amidst the thousands of redundancies caused by the recession.”

So why teach?

“A good teacher can bring the world to their class,” says Chris Cole, the headmaster of St Matthias C of E Primary School in London. “They’re role models for their students. They communicate their experiences of life and give children a new outlook. I’ve been teaching for 14 years and I still love it. Teachers provide a positive image; they show kids what they can achieve.”

“Teaching is a very different profession these days,” says Graham Holley, executive director of Initial Teacher Training. “It’s much more inclusive, gives a stronger career path, the pay is much better and its status has been driven up.”

To teach in a state school, you’ll need to gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). Another option is the employment-based route, the Graduate Teacher Programme. Here, you learn on the job for up to a year, teaching classes under supervision, and you’re paid an unqualified wage. Watch out though: it’s very over-subscribed.

As well as flexible training routes, decent money and good job security are other common reasons new teachers sign on the dotted line. Cash increases when you move up the ladder. Higher salaries go to teachers with managerial roles or extra responsibilities. Extra allowances are made for teachers considered to be excellent. No teacher will deny that long hours and emotional input can be exhausting. Many find the plus points enough reward. However, if you’re interested in schools but teaching doesn’t appeal, there are other positions to consider, such as librarians, learning mentors and teaching assistants.

Of course, teaching doesn’t have to be a career for life. The skills you learn are invaluable, but whether you teach for two years or 20, you’ll never forget the possibility that you could be that teacher that no one forgets.

Powered by Bookmarkify™