The Adventures After Teaching Podcast

“For the first time in my life I was very unsure about where I was headed and what I could do differently to teaching because I'd been doing it for so long.”Hannah, a primary school teacher for nine years, left the classroom seeking better work-life balance so she could be there more for her teenagers at home. Now a Youth Participation Advisor working globally to end malnutrition, she's enjoying flexibility around core hours, meaningful project work, travel opportunities, and the satisfaction of using her teaching skills in entirely new ways.With support from the Academy's resources and community, Hannah navigated the confusion of career transition, overcame imposter syndrome, and ultimately received two dream job offers on the same day. She now helps young people lead community dialogues that drive policy changes, creating resources and managing grants programmes that make a real difference.In this episode, we also talk about:Dealing with conflicting feelings over leavingGetting back on track with community supportProject management training and its real-world applicationsRedefining what success looks like outside teachingShaking off old ways of workingEnhanced transferable skills and renewed confidence Building your network through LinkedInOvercoming imposter syndrome and believing you haven't "missed the boat"Coping with rejection Tips for finding roles in charities and NGOs focused on youth work Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

"There is another side, and it's life-changing."Former Head of School, Sarah spent 13 years in teaching before deciding to listen to her inner voice and pivot towards a completely different path.Now an Employer Engagement Manager working in the not-for-profit sector, Sarah has found a role that utilises her communication and engagement skills across different audiences whilst offering the work-life balance and well-being she was missing in education. She's no longer in constant "crisis mode" and finally has quality time back for the things that matter.In this episode, we also talk about:Comfortable timelines for career transitionsTreating your job search like a strategic projectRecognising stress addiction and living in crisis modeWhy engagement roles are perfect for teachersHybrid working and reclaiming your eveningsThe difference between being tired and being mentally drainedSarah's only regret: not leaving soonerHugely transferable teacher skills Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

“I do not feel that sheer tiredness that I did when I was finishing a school day.”Former Early Years Teacher Tina spent 13 years in the classroom, working as both an Early Years Lead and Forest School Lead, before making the decision to leave teaching. Now a Team Support Administrator at a large national energy company, she's enjoying hybrid working, better sleep, and a workplace culture that genuinely celebrates wellbeing.Tina's journey wasn't without its challenges - from the emotional ups and downs of supply teaching to standing out among 400 applicants - but she successfully leveraged her transferable skills in organisation and relationship-building to secure her new role. Tina shares her honest insights about what she wishes she'd known earlier, the power of building rapport in interviews, and how she's learning to shed the teaching mindset around urgency and productivity. Despite some initial imposter syndrome, Tina is thriving in her new role and looking forward to what the future holds. In this episode, we also talk about:Starting your transition earlier to lay the foundationsSupply teaching as a bridge - and its unexpected challengesPivoting from initial career ideas when they don't alignStanding out in competitive interview processesTeacher transferable skills for thriving in administration rolesReframing urgency and letting go of the "it will get done" mindsetWorking through imposter syndrome in a new roleCompany cultures that prioritise mental health and wellbeingThe messy middle - and remembering it's temporaryLife after teaching: happier for both Tina and her familySign up for our FREE webinar 📆 From Classroom to Project Management to discover how your teaching skills translate directly into PM roles ✨ Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

"Life is far too short."Former primary school teacher Emma spent 10 years in the classroom before making the leap to a Programme Officer role at a university. While she knew early on teaching wasn't her "forever career," the decision to leave was still incredibly difficult. After facing rejection in education-adjacent roles, Emma found support through the Adventures After Teaching community, learning to translate her experience and work through the grief of "if I'm not a teacher, then what am I?"Now enjoying a hybrid work schedule and supportive team environment, she's rediscovered what it means to feel lighter, more present, and aligned with her values.In this episode, we also talk about:The grief of leaving your teacher identity behindDealing with rejection sensitivityBreaking the hyperachiever cycle and learning to restTranslating teacher skills for Programme Officer rolesWhy the journey might take a little longer than you think (and that's okay)The (good!) culture shock of starting a new job outside of teachingEnjoying simple freedoms in a new role (toilet breaks and uninterrupted lunch!)Finding camaraderie in a supportive team and asking questions without guiltHybrid working and workplace adjustmentsBeing present at home and improved work-life balanceIf you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨

“It’s the best feeling when you’ve made that decision … it took a weight off my shoulders when I said ‘I’m gonna do this.’”Former primary school teacher Barbara spent 12 years in the classroom, mostly teaching years five and six alongside middle leadership roles. By her seventh year, some of the excitement that she once had for the classroom had waned, and trying to fix it by changing schools or year groups just wasn't cutting it. Facing burnout and declining health, she made the brave choice to start putting herself and her well-being first. Now a Grants Officer at a charity celebrating young people's achievements, Barbara loves her varied role, hybrid working, true control over her schedule, and - best of all - having her evenings back!In this episode, we also talk about:Making the emotionally difficult decision to leave teachingThe critical importance of foundational work on values and mindsetIdentifying transferable skills as a confidence boostBreaking burnout patterns before entering a new roleThe "squiggly journey" to finding the right roleNavigating first interviews and assessment tasksSalary negotiation for teachers used to pay scalesDaily responsibilities as a grants officerCore teaching skills: attention to detail and adaptive communicationWork-life balance and managing your own timetableIf you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom!  Wondering what might be next for you? Take the Teacher Career Change Quiz to match your amazing transferable skills with a new job pathway ✨