6 Tips for International Career Changers Looking to Teach
| by Alex Skov
Making the switch from a different career to international teaching can feel like a big leap, but it’s also an exciting and rewarding journey. Moreland’s recent webinar, Change Careers and Become an International Educator, featured four panelists who shared their experiences transitioning into teaching from jobs in engineering, art, and more. Here are 6 tips they shared to help career changers on their international teaching journey:
1. Leverage Your Previous Career Experience
Your professional background can be an asset in the classroom. Many career changers find their previous roles have prepared them well to teach. Whether it’s organization, critical thinking, and leadership skills from project management, engineering, or freelance art design roles, experience from past jobs can help career changers seamlessly transition into education. Whatever your past profession, spend some time identifying the transferable skills that can help you thrive in the classroom.
2. Be Open to Starting Small
A career change often means starting at an entry level before working your way up. It’s important to understand that while you have valuable professional experience in another field, you will need to gain practical classroom experience before landing your ideal teaching role. Many — but not all — international schools prefer candidates with classroom experience, so taking on virtual tutoring, internships, or assistant teaching roles can be great stepping stones to full teaching positions. Keeping your expectations realistic and embracing the learning curve will help set you up for long-term success.
3. Be Mindful of Financial Planning
Transitioning into education comes with financial considerations, especially when you’re looking at international teaching roles. Many international schools offer benefits like housing allowances and relocation packages once you’ve been offered a job, but the initial certification process can still be an investment. Look for scholarships and grants for teacher certification programs that might be available to career changers. It’s also important to research teaching salaries and the cost of living in the cities and countries where you would like to work before making the leap.
4. Embrace Cultural Adaptation
Teaching internationally isn’t just about switching careers — it’s about immersing yourself in a new culture. Your teaching journey will likely be more enriching if you keep an open mind and embrace new experiences. Living and working abroad requires a deeper level of adaptation than traveling abroad for a vacation or short trip. Learning the local language and engaging with the surrounding community can make the transition smoother.
5. Find a Support System
No one transitions into international education alone. It’s important to find a supportive network. Having a community can help you navigate challenges and gain valuable insights about international teaching. Moreland’s 9-month, 100% online TEACH-NOW teacher preparation program empowers candidates to connect with and learn from teachers around the world through a global cohort model.
6. Choose the Right Certification Program
The right teacher preparation program can make or break your transition into international teaching — especially because some programs are geared toward only preparing teachers to work in the U.S. Look for one that emphasizes hands-on experience, flexibility, and international teaching credentials. A practical, globally relevant perspective helps make TEACH-NOW unique along with its focus on real-world techniques that candidates can use in classrooms immediately.
Moreland Supports Career Changers Become International Teachers
Changing careers to enter international teaching is an exciting move. By using your past experiences, embracing cultural adaptation, and building a strong support network, career changers make a successful leap into global education.
For more insights, check out the full recording of the Change Careers and Become an International Educator webinar and discover more helpful insights in the no-cost Career Changer’s Guide to Becoming a Teacher then request more info or apply to Moreland when you’re ready to start your teaching certification journey!
