The Career Changer’s Guide to Deciding What Subject to Teach


| by Alex Skov

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Switching to a teaching career is a unique experience that requires you to make several choices, and one of the most significant decisions you’ll make is deciding what subject to teach. As a career changer, your background, skills, and interests can guide you to a subject area where you’ll make the greatest impact. Continue reading below for tips on how to navigate the decision-making process of choosing a subject and get insights about how to align your expertise with the needs of your future students. 

Understanding the Role of Subject Choice in Teaching 

The subject you teach will shape your daily responsibilities, the types of students you work with, and how you contribute to your school and community’s educational landscape. Whether you’re drawn to math, science, history, English, or another field, each subject offers meaningful work and opportunities to connect with students. 

It’s important to consider both your passions and the practical aspects of teaching a particular subject. Career changers can bring valuable real-world experience to the classroom that can align directly with the curriculum they teach: former engineers can excel in teaching STEM subjects, marketing and communications professionals might thrive as language arts teachers, and so on. 

No matter what your first career was, there’s likely a subject area where your knowledge and enthusiasm can inspire the next generation.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Subject 

1. Your Expertise and Interests 

Think about the subjects you enjoyed most in school and what fields you’ve worked in professionally. If you have a strong foundation in math or science, these subjects could be a natural fit — or if you’re passionate about history, literature, or the arts, one of those areas might be the perfect subject for you to teach. 

2. Demand for Specific Subjects 

Some subjects are more in demand than others, particularly in fields like math, science, and special education. Teaching a high-need subject can give you more job opportunities in more places. Research the needs in the city, state, or country where you want to live and work to see where you can make the greatest impact. 

3. Age Group Preferences 

Consider whether you want to teach elementary, middle, or high school students. Elementary teachers often teach multiple subjects, while middle and high school educators typically specialize in one or two. Your subject choice should align with the age group you’re most comfortable working with. 

4. Licensing and Certification Requirements 

Certification requirements vary by subject and state. Some areas may require additional coursework or exams for certain credentials, especially for subjects like special education or advanced sciences. Find more information about the specific requirements in your state using the Find My State tool

5. Work-Life Balance and Job Satisfaction 

Certain subjects may require more preparation or grading. For instance, English teachers often spend significant time reviewing essays while math teachers might focus more on problem-solving exercises and science teachers may spend more time on students’ in-class lab work. Consider how these responsibilities align with your desired work-life balance. 

Gaining Experience and Making an Informed Choice 

Many career changers find their professional experience is highly relevant to teaching and that they can transfer their existing skills to the classroom almost seamlessly. Knowing and reflecting on your capabilities and skill set can help you get a head start on your teaching career. What topics do you feel most confident teaching? What subjects align with your vision for making a difference? 

And why not do more than ask questions? It’s equally important to get hands-on experience to understand the realities of teaching. Spending time in a classroom is one of the best ways to determine what subject and age group resonate with you. Volunteer opportunities, substitute teaching, and getting clinical learning experience in teacher preparation programs like TEACH-NOW can give you great chances to explore different subjects while working with students. 

Speaking with current teachers can also help you get valuable insights into the realities of teaching various subjects since their experiences can help you weigh the pros and cons of your options.

How Moreland University Supports Career Changers 

Whether you’re passionate about STEM, humanities, or the arts, there’s a place for you in education. Choosing the right subject is a big step in your journey to becoming a teacher, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Moreland is here to support you along the way. 

Our 100% online TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program can help career changers earn their professional teaching license in as little as 9 months. TEACH-NOW is fully accredited, includes clinical learning, and has rolling admissions and monthly start dates. We also offer 0% interest monthly payment plans and financing via Sallie Mae.  

Apply now (at no cost, in less than 15 minutes), and you’ll typically hear back within 2 business days.

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