Have you ever considered transitioning from teaching but weren't sure which career would be best for you? This a predicament many people face. Burnout and stress from a hectic schedule, better financial conditions, and a need for professional challenges are some reasons teachers look for career alternatives. I have personally faced it and intend to help you with it.
Finding an alternative career for teachers can be daunting amidst the overwhelming information. Understanding the confusion and trepidation this search can bring, I have researched extensively to curate a comprehensive list of suitable and well-paying career options for educators.
Some of the highest-paying alternative careers for teachers include curriculum designer, Milyin, corporate trainer, career counselor, and personal trainer. Finding a financially and personally rewarding career can be challenging, but these options offer a satisfying balance.
Best Alternative Careers for Teachers
| Career | Transferability of Skills | Salary Potential | Work-Life Balance |
| Curriculum Designer | High | Moderate | Good |
| Milyin | Moderate | High | Good |
| Corporate Training | Moderate | Very High | Moderate |
| Career Counselling | High | Moderate | Good |
| Personal Training | Moderate | High | Moderate |
1) Curriculum Designer
Curriculum designers develop educational material for schools, academic institutes, and companies. They ensure that the curriculum meets the required academic standards. They are responsible for incorporating different teaching techniques and technologies into daily practice.
To become a curriculum designer, align your current qualifications with those required for this position. My advice would be to have a proper license in school administration, depending on your target job market. I'd advise attending workshops to keep up with the latest educational trends.
Connecting with fellow educators and experts can help gain insights. Volunteering in curriculum development projects in your current role can help provide practical experience. The straightforward and simple job description makes curriculum design one of the best alternative careers for teachers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Work on diverse projects across subjects and educational levels. | Difficult to balance student needs and course changes. |
| Ability to create realistic and reliable educational material. | |
| Provides constant learning opportunities. |
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2) Milyin
Milyin is a platform where creators can share their original work, offer a community of like-minded individuals, and monetize with ads. At Milyin, I can join and create educational content and share my experience, knowledge, and stories easily.
All my Creations are publicly available. By default, I am monetized, and my writing is served with ads. When my audience engages with these ads, I earn money. As an educator, I feel comfortable creating and spreading my content easily. I highly recommend it as the best alternative career for teachers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Complete freedom to create content in my preferred format and style. | Relatively new and requires some time to build momentum. |
| Reuse protection tools prevent people from copying/downloading my content. | |
| I can earn and withdraw money once I have crossed the $1 threshold. |
3) Corporate Training
Corporate trainers are hired by companies to help develop employees' skills within the organization. Trainers design and develop training programs based on the company's principles and tailored to employee needs. This covers team management, communication, leadership, technical skills, etc.
Choosing my target industry based on my expertise is the first step towards becoming a corporate trainer. In my experience, it is essential to connect with firms and industry specialists to expand the network and gain information about the industry's specific needs.
My process for Corporate Training was simple. I built a portfolio showcasing any training programs you have already developed or delivered. You can also offer courses on platforms like Coursera to reach a broader audience. Volunteering to lead workshops and seminars can help improve my skills and credibility.
| Pros | Cons |
| High pay due to the direct impact of employee performance on company success. | Demanding work environment. |
| Opportunity to develop employee skills. | |
| Establish lasting connections with industry experts and insiders. |
4) Career Counselling
Career counselors assist people in finding the right careers suited to their skill set and needs. As a counselor, you'd guide career choices, skill development, and possible job prospects. Career counselors also support creating resumes, preparing interviews, and other skill development required for starting or transitioning careers.
Attending professional associations and meetings helped me understand the job market and network with other professionals. To enhance your credentials, consider pursuing counseling certifications from recognized boards like the National Career Development Association (NCDA).
I observed that it is critical to gain knowledge and proficiency in interpreting various career tests to help you provide clients with meaningful insights. During my tests, I often contacted local institutions and offered services to improve credibility, particularly during important seasons like college application periods.
| Pros | Cons |
| Direct impact on client's career and success. | Mentally taxing job. |
| Make connections with clients across industries. | |
| High demand due to increased stress on career planning. |
5) Personal Training
Personal trainers work with individuals to guide and go through with their programs tailored to the needs and goals of every individual. As a personal trainer, I would guide clients on techniques, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments, motivating them to overcome obstacles and stay committed to their fitness journey.
Getting the necessary certification is one of the first stages of becoming a personal trainer. Additionally, a good understanding of anatomy and nutrition is essential. After this, gaining practical experience by working at a gym or fitness center will help build knowledge and establish a client network.
I really enjoyed building an online presence by sharing relatable videos and success stories on social media. Further, offering short, free courses on the website can help attract clients and demonstrate your expertise in fitness and health can help you grow. It is among the best alternative careers for teachers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Flexible working hours. | Lack of job security. |
| Increased job satisfaction due to real-time results. | |
| Knowledge learned on the job can also be applied to maintaining my own health. |
6) Guest Lecturer
Guest lecturers are invited by educational institutes and companies to share their knowledge and insights. It was a great experience to get invited for my expertise and provide students and beginners with insights in lectures, seminars, workshops, or webinars.
To deliver guest lectures, start networking on LinkedIn, connect with professors, and engage with colleges. Cold emails to colleges can also be helpful. Overall, I enjoyed my time as a guest lecturer and would recommend it as one of the best alternative careers for teachers.
Once connected with the college representative, discuss and finalize a written deal for a guest lecture. One of the expert pieces of advice from my side would be to always ensure the lecture is recorded and that I can redistribute and republish the recordings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Freedom in schedule. | Inconsistent income stream. |
| Good work-life balance. | |
| Opportunity to merge my expertise with my passion. |
7) Life Coaching
Life coaches help clients set and achieve their personal and professional goals by helping them understand more about themselves. They guide and support their clients in identifying their strengths and weaknesses, helping them set realistic goals.
To become a life coach, I advise you to familiarise yourself with different concepts in life coaching, such as self-awareness and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). I would also recommend obtaining a board-approved certification to improve your skills.
After this, decide upon a niche that matches your strengths and interests. I also reached out to other established coaches and offered small courses as add-ons in their workshops to gain exposure.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sense of fulfillment by helping others. | Emotionally draining. |
| Control over working hours. | |
| Client interactions and experiences can help with self-development. |
8) Paralegal
Paralegals are responsible for assisting lawyers and attorneys in various tasks, such as legal research document drafting and trial preparations. They work closely on legal cases to ensure they proceed smoothly.
Start by obtaining a certification or an associate degree in paralegal studies. You must develop essential skills in legal research, writing, and document preparation. Utilise resources like Fastcase, CourtListener, and Westlaw to improve your knowledge.
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Connect with law firms to secure internships or volunteer opportunities. I also found attending career fairs and networking events to be very valuable for meeting potential employers in person. Additionally, consider joining law associations to network with professionals in the field.
| Pros | Cons |
| Opportunity to work in the legal system without attending law school. | Long working hours in a high-pressure environment. |
| Experience diverse work with new people, cases, and challenges daily. | |
| Continuous learning through daily analytical thinking and research. |
9) School Counselling
School counselors are responsible for supporting students through any academic or personal stresses they might be facing. They provide a safe environment for students to express their concerns about issues that may negatively impact their mental health.
Before becoming a school counselor, you may need to obtain certification in psychology and learn essential counseling techniques. You should familiarise yourself with standard student assessments and activities.
Attending workshops on emerging school issues, like bullying and mental health awareness, can provide additional expertise. Email local school administrations and view job listings on their websites to know about potential job openings.
| Pros | Cons |
| Contribute to student's holistic growth. | Limited growth opportunities. |
| Gain practical experience in problem-solving through daily interactions with students. | |
| Self-improvement in terms of empathy and critical thinking. |
10) Event Planning
Event planners organize and coordinate events like weddings, conferences, corporate meetings, meet and greets, and social gatherings. They are responsible for selecting and overseeing every aspect of the event, including venue selection, catering, vendor shortlisting, etc.
To pursue this alternative career for teachers, start by doing an event planning, hospitality, or project management course to gain essential knowledge and skills. I intended to build a network of reliable professionals, including photographers, caterers, entertainers, and other event service providers.
I gained experience by planning small events for friends, family, or community groups. Create a strong social media presence displaying your work to attract clients. Adding a signature style to every event can help you stand out and leave a lasting impression on clients and guests.
| Pros | Cons |
| Opportunity to utilize my creativity. | Long, inconsistent working hours. |
| Unique learning experiences require pre-planning and spontaneous problem-solving. | |
| Travel and meet a variety of people. |
11) Curator
Curators manage different art and artifact collections, along with organizing exhibitions. They are responsible for finding, acquiring, and preserving historical artifacts of cultural or artistic significance. Curators also conduct educational programs and visits to increase public exposure and knowledge.
To be eligible for a curator role, I required at least a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions, while higher-level roles often require a master's degree and a PhD for specialized areas. Gain practical experience by interning or volunteering at museums, galleries, or cultural institutions.
Publishing my research papers in established journals will help display my expertise. Join professional associations to stay connected with the latest discoveries and access resources.
| Pros | Cons |
| Gain academic and cultural recognition through successful exhibits. | Highly competitive field with heavy dependence on donations and grants. |
| Opportunity to research and work with artifacts that are unavailable to the general public. | |
| Play a role in preserving historical objects. |
12) Freelancing and Ghostwriting
Freelancers and ghostwriters create written content ranging from articles and blogs to books, course content, and speeches. While freelancers work independently for clients under their brands, ghostwriters produce content published under their clients' names.
To venture into these careers, I focused on developing my writing skills in different genres, including technical writing, fiction, and copywriting. You can attend workshops and take courses on sites like Udemy to improve your skills for both freelance and ghostwriting.
During my starting days, I would properly compile my best works into a professional portfolio, including published work, personal projects, or client testimonials. You can sign up on freelancing sites like Fiverr and Upwork to gain employers' attention. Publishing my work in the form of a book helped my credibility and exposure.
| Pros | Cons |
| Potential to work on large projects and high-profile clients. | Work can be unpredictable due to fluctuations in demand. |
| Full control over the kind of projects and clients you work with. | |
| Flexibility to work from any location. |
13) YouTube Content Creation
YouTube content creators create engaging videos based on their skills or interests. These can include educational content, tutorials, reviews, slice-of-life videos, etc. YouTube provides a way to gain audience and income through views, ad revenue, and sponsorships.
Find a niche that aligns with your interests before making your videos. Then, you can invest in necessary equipment like a camera, mic, and video editing software to create high-quality videos. Watching courses to become a YouTuber can help you ease into the field. The fame, limelight, and money makes YouTube a tempting alternate career for educators.
I had to sign up for the YouTube Creator Studio before I started creating. Create a content calendar to organize your video ideas. Simultaneously, create content on social media to promote your channel.
| Pros | Cons |
| Gain social fame and recognition. | Initial effort and earnings may not be proportional. |
| Full creative control over the content you wish to produce. | |
| Opportunity to collaborate with brands and gain sponsorships. |
14) Tutoring
Tutors provide personalized teaching to students, which may occur in small batches or one-to-one sessions. They pay attention to the student's individual needs and alter their teaching methods accordingly. Students majorly connect with tutors to improve their grades, better understand a specific subject, or catch up on the syllabus.
Building a network in your locality can help you gain initial exposure for in-person tuitions. You can distribute flyers in your neighborhood to spread information about your service.
Signing up on tutoring websites like Tutor, Chegg Tutors, and others can help establish your online presence. Offering demo sessions online or putting videos on YouTube can help potential clients experience your teaching style.
| Pros | Cons |
| I can work from the comfort of my home. | Requires a lot of patience and creativity. |
| Adaptable working hours and rates. | |
| Limited restrictions on teaching content and practices. |
15) Transcribing/Editing
Transcribers convert audio content into written text. This audio content can include interviews, meetings, lectures, movies, etc. Editors review and refine written content to improve its clarity, accuracy, and meaning. They ensure the final content is easy to understand and engaging for the audience.
Developing strong typing and listening skills is a must for these careers. You can create a portfolio of your work by volunteering for projects or internships. Having experience in language subjects can be a great advantage.
Additionally, connect with publishing houses, literary agents, content creators, and media professionals through their websites. You can also sign up on freelance websites like Fiverr and Upwork, to display your portfolio and get hired.
| Pros | Cons |
| Freedom to select projects that you find appealing. | You may have to work for long hours on short deadlines. |
| Flexible working hours. | |
| Work from home friendly. |
16) ESL Teaching
English as a Second Language teachers help non-native speakers to develop and improve their skills in the English language. They are responsible for creating coursework catering to their students' diverse needs and proficiency levels.
I needed a strong command of English to become an ESL #teacher. Getting certifications from recognized organizations like TEFL can help with this. The development of skills in lesson planning and language assessment is critical for success in this #career line.
Working as an assistant or volunteering can help get hands-on experience. Learning about different languages and their cultural significance will enhance your understanding of students. I would advise you to join associations to get access to job listings and connect with other ESL teachers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Opportunity to travel and work abroad. | Limited career advancement opportunities. |
| High demand due to the growing desire for English proficiency worldwide. | |
| Work with people with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. |
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17) Childcare Worker
Childcare workers look after children and supervise them at daycare centers, pre-schools, or privately at home. They are responsible for the well-being and development of children. They create a safe environment for learning and monitor children's progress, communicating it to the parents or guardians.
Start by gaining experience working in daycares, preschools, or through babysitting to develop your skills and understanding. You may have to get additional certifications like first aid and a driving license based on your employer. You can create a tentative course or activity plan to give the parents an idea of their child’s future routine.
| Pros | Cons |
| Opportunity to help children. | Physically and mentally taxing. |
| Consistent work schedule and demands. | |
| Minimal training is required before starting. |
How To Choose The Best Alternative Career To Teaching?
These are some of the points you should consider before choosing an alternative career:
- Skills: Identify the careers in which you can apply the skills you have developed as an educator. This will help you realise if you are qualified to switch to a career or if you need to do some additional certification.
- Interest: You should consider which careers align with your interests and area of expertise.
- Salary: Researching the expected salary from the alternative career is necessary to ensure that it meets your financial needs.
- Job Demand: Finding out about the job market and demand will help you choose a stable field that will provide future growth opportunities.
- Work-Life Balance: You should determine if the new career will provide you with flexibility to ensure a healthy and practical work-life balance.
FAQs - Alternative Careers for Teachers/Educators
Conclusion - Alternative Careers for Teachers/Educators
This concludes all the best highest paying careers for teachers/educators. The following table is to help you match your specific needs with the most suitable alternative career.
| Best for | Alternative Career |
| Earning potential | Corporate Training |
| Freedom over work | Milyin |
| Work-life balance | Curriculum Designer |
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