After graduation, the natural progression for many will be teaching, in one of its many forms. However, if primary or secondary school teaching doesn’t appeal to you, there are other options. Here are some alternative teaching jobs to add to your list.
“Those who can’t do, teach.”
Despite this gross underestimation of the teaching profession, many still do opt into teaching as a career path. They want to share their knowledge and skills with the next generation.
“Those who can’t teach, teach primary.”
But teaching in mainstream education is becoming more and more unpopular due to hours, pay and lack of development opportunities. That last one is particularly difficult for those high-flying graduates who want to climb the ladder as quickly as possible. With post-pandemic teaching vacancies at its highest since 2010, it’s no wonder that the appeal of primary and secondary education is wearing off and alternative teaching jobs are becoming more popular.
See also: Five Tips For Going Freelance After University
So, what are the alternatives?
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Particularly when regarding refugee and asylum seeker education, the ESOL industry is always looking for volunteers. With a short online course (there are multiple ways to get a TESOL qualification!), you could be teaching English in a variety of exciting settings. A group of refugees on a university campus, a class of local children on a Thai island, or living with a French family who want to improve their English.
The best part of TESOL is, if you can speak English, you’re already halfway there!
Prison
Although it’s not the option that is particularly glamorous, teaching in a prison will certainly never be boring. Whether your degree was academic or vocational, with a post-16 PGCE or a level 3 qualification in your subject, you will be able to advance into educating.
Essential Skills
As an educator in Essential Skills, you would be providing a foundation for young people and adults in your community to advance to further study. Whether that is compiling a CV, developing creative and problem-solving skills, or helping them work towards an IT qualification, a role in this sector could be rewarding.
Often based in colleges and on university campuses, Essential Skills jobs are more likely to be flexible than mainstream education.
Youth Worker
If the idea of having to teach and manage a classroom full of teenagers gives you the heebie-jeebies, perhpas 1:1 education might be more up your street. Youth workers can be based in a variety of settings: Youth Offending Services, Wellbeing Services, even in school settings, if you would still like to work in a school environment.
Outdoor Education
Being sat at a laptop all day every day isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. So, why not go in the complete opposite direction? Taking groups or individuals rock climbing, canoeing or on overnight expeditions in a controlled, educational environment.
Rather than a pretty organiser, this job requires a gift that is more welly-shaped!
Read next: What Jobs Do Universities Offer Students?
