What non-teaching jobs are available for a potentially laid off teacher?

April 19, 2011 5:34 PM

My government has made severe cuts in education, due to that and the fact I'm only in my 2nd year of teaching the probability that I would be laid off is very high. I have a sociology degree and an education degree, but I'm struggling any job that asks for either.

Google failed me, when I search 'what can you do with an education degree?' the jobs listed always require a lot of experience. Since I'm a fairly new teacher my experience is not really there yet and it's difficult to find job postings related to my skills. I'm very disheartened since i love my job, and it's devastating putting all that work into school knowing I can't even use my skills. I just need help thinking outside the box, I need to pay the darn bills and any suggestions would be much appreciated!

(Note: I'm not in a position to teach overseas at the moment)

posted by bluehermit to Education (11 answers total)

Is there a freeze on hiring substitute teachers? I know sometimes that happens during budget cuts, but if not you should definitely consider substituting. You may feel it is a little beneath you, but the important thing is that it keeps you on the radar of the local principals and administrators in the event a full-time teaching position does come up.
posted by misha at 5:42 PM on April 19, 2011

You could teach pre-school. The more upscale schools usually require their teachers to have a college degree.
posted by COD at 5:53 PM on April 19, 2011

Response by poster: There is a freeze on subs right now, i would be more then happy to do that if I could!
posted by bluehermit at 6:07 PM on April 19, 2011

English as a second language. You could even do some traveling.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 6:08 PM on April 19, 2011

Oops, missed that can't go overseas caveat, but there are still many local ESL schools in some areas.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 6:13 PM on April 19, 2011

Do you have a masterʻs degree? If so, you can teach at a community college. Community colleges got a lot of stimulus money and are hiring. (I know, I am faculty at one.)
posted by fifilaru at 6:24 PM on April 19, 2011

I'm struggling any job that asks for either

Stop looking for jobs that ask for either. These aren't really the kinds of subjects that are "Asked for" outside of academic jobs; instead they're the kind whose skills are asked for.

Look for jobs that require things like data analysis, working with people, writing (assuming you did that as part of your degrees), ability to present evidence and argue persuasively, ability to convey new information etc.

As for the jobs you find requiring more experience, the way these listings usually work is that they suggest an ultimate goal: You have an education degree? Be the minister of education!! Ok, obviously you can't run out and be the minister of education, but if that's the direction you want to head in, find out what the stepping stones to minister of education are and get a job doing one of those.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 6:28 PM on April 19, 2011 [2 favorites]

Do you need health insurance/benefits? If no, tutoring could be an option.
posted by quodlibet at 6:33 PM on April 19, 2011

It's getting to the point where it's almost too late, but if you need a job right now, you can try calling around to different summer programs. I work at a summer camp that only hires certified teachers as lead instructors, and I know there are plenty of programs that either only hire teachers or would like to hire as many teachers as possible.
posted by kro at 10:54 PM on April 19, 2011

Mod note: bunch of comments removed - please answer the question being asked, thanks
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 7:39 AM on April 20, 2011

Curriculum writing.
posted by brainwane at 11:25 AM on April 20, 2011