Changing Careers? How to Become a Teacher
Teaching is a fulfilling and impactful career where no two days are the same. It’s a profession that offers new challenges and opportunities to shape young minds, foster growth, and inspire the next generation. For many educators, the transition to teaching comes after time in another field, driven by a desire to engage with the community and take on the rewarding role of mentoring.
If you’re considering becoming a teacher, there are several pathways to make the transition. The most common route is to undertake a Master of Teaching degree. If your undergraduate degree aligns with a teaching specialisation, such as mathematics, science, or English, a Master of Teaching can be one of the quickest ways to get you into the classroom.
In addition, many universities offer pathway programs and fast-track options designed for career changers. These programs cater to a variety of professional backgrounds, so it is worth exploring what is available at universities in your local area.
What to do if you are thinking about becoming a teacher?
- Research your options. Investigate teaching degrees and alternative pathways offered by universities in your area. Look into fast-track programs and state-specific opportunities to ensure you find the best fit for you.
- Talk to other teachers. Connect with friends, family, or colleagues who have made the transition to teaching. Their stories and insights can provide valuable advice and inspiration.
- Take the next step. Once you’ve done your research, start applying for courses that match your career aspirations. Universities often have support services to guide you through the application process.
Becoming a teacher is more than a career change—it’s a chance to make a lasting impact on young lives and contribute to your community. Start your journey today and see how others, like Shani and Stanley, have successfully made the transition to teaching, proving just how rewarding it can be to inspire the next generation.
Becoming an HSIE Teacher: A Case Study
Dr Shani Hartley spent the first part of her career as an accountant before deciding to take the leap into teaching. Shani’s decision to become a teacher was based on a number of factors, such as finding a role with hours that could fit around her young family. Shani also wanted her new career to contribute more to society and was particularly interested in helping young people gain agency and confidence in life.
Having a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accounting, Shani only needed to complete a one year full-time Graduate Diploma of Education at Macquarie University. This included a 50-day practical experience placement at Asquith Girls High School. This professional experience commenced only a few days into the Diploma with an 8-day immersion. The remaining days were completed once a week across the year with the occasional week block. Juggling her practical and university study whilst supporting a young family was only possible with the help of parents and parents-in-law.
Following the completion of her course, Shani started working at an Independent school as a Business, Economics and Commerce teacher. While working as an HSIE teacher, she studied a Master of Arts and a Master of Education. Shani then worked as a casual teacher as she completed her Master of Research and Doctor of Philosophy full-time. In total, Shani was in schools for 18 years before joining AISNSW.
Becoming a VET or TAS Teaching: A Case Study
Before becoming a teacher, Stanley Yip worked in restaurants, startup technology businesses, advertising agencies, and multimedia design studios. Throughout each of these jobs, Stanley felt he learnt a lot, but always felt there was something more he should be doing. One day when he was a last-minute substitute ‘teacher’ (with no formal teaching qualifications at the time, it was the noughties) Stanley delivered a day long professional learning about multimedia and in his words “To my surprise it went well. I had helped others to learn and it felt good. I think the teacher inside me was released and from that day onwards I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”
Stanley’s journey to teaching began through TAFE, studying a Graduate Diploma in Vocational and Educational Training and a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training through Charles Sturt University. Through the school partnerships with TAFE he obtained Proficient Teacher accreditation and taught Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) within schools to high school students in the area of web and multimedia. From the start of his teaching studies it was about 12 months before he actually had his own classes and school students.
Stanley is currently the Manager: Learning Design Hub and Head of AI at AISNSW, as well as a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. Prior to joining AISNSW, Stanley worked across the education sectors including at the NSW Department of Education offices, Loftus TAFE, and Georges River College Oatley Senior Campus.
Are you ready to start looking for education employment opportunities? Discover rewarding teaching jobs or leadership positions through our recruitment portal. You may also be interested in reading Migrate to Australia to Teach, Why become a teacher? and Education as a Second Career