When It’s Time to Pivot
Career Changers this one is for you
I’ve read that a person changes careers at least five times during their adult life. In my case, I’ve changed careers at least five times just in my 20s.
When I became a teacher, I was also a new homeowner and within a year, a new mom. Life was coming at me from all directions.
I was going to school to get my MBA. When I began teaching, I finished my MBA and went on to get a degree in English and then an MFA in Creative Writing.
As I became more skilled as a teacher, I became more involved at my school. I worked at a vocational school which was also responsible for the academics of its students. Let’s just say there was a constant imbalance between the two areas.
It was my job as an English teacher to help students with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. In addition, I had to prepare students for the MCAS.
When my high school imploded, many teachers left or were sent to other schools. I wanted to stay to help rebuild the school but was rejected. It was hard for me to leave so many of my students behind. I was teaching juniors and seniors at the time. This meant that I wouldn’t be able to see my juniors through their senior years and watch the graduate. Suffice to say, I heard many of my juniors didn’t even make it to senior year.
I was sent to a middle school that was closer to my home. I was teaching English and Social Studies. It was a hard adjustment. I went from teaching students on the cusp of adulthood to students just out of elementary school.
While I had experience working with elementary and middle school students from my part-time jobs, it was a different story being their school teacher. While some students were eager, respectful, and well-behaved, others were a nightmare. I had students who stole from their parents and like to verbally go toe to toe with adults. I even had a student hit me with a desk when I was helping his classmates. It was insane.
A few years in, COVID struck. It was March 2020. My principal had established that he didn’t like me or my teaching style. His observations were harsh and supercritical. I tried finding jobs at other schools within the district but kept getting rejected. I entered a leadership program to get positions at district headquarters and still had no luck. I felt stuck in the classroom.
After the worst of the pandemic had passed, the middle school became a 7–12 school. With the new merger, we received a new principal. Finally, I felt I had a chance to redeem myself and get my career back on track. I didn’t realize until later how much damage the pandemic and my former principal had done to my confidence. My ego had been severely damaged.
Now, after two outside evaluations, I’m facing dismissal from the district. Despite my efforts to improve my practice, I keep getting told that it’s not enough. I’ve been a teacher for over twenty years.
So career changers, I’m pivoting. I need income. I need to replace my current income. So here is my advice if you’re in a similar situation:
- Assess your skills — what can you do?
- Determine your career options — Do you want to stay in your current field? Do you want to explore other careers?
- Seek free or low-cost training — YouTube can be your best friend.
- Write down your goals — Come up with a plan.
- Look at side hustles — Can you work afternoons, nights, or weekends?
- Inform friends and family — Let them know you’re looking for new work.
- Get references from colleagues — Speak to trusted co-workers to get references
- Use social media — Follow career coaches, side hustlers, and education professionals. They often post valuable career info for free.
- Hustle hard — The first few weeks and months you’ll need to be on the grind.
- Take breaks when you need them — Don’t burn yourself out. If you’re tired, rest. Reflect on how far you’ve come.
