Anyone who has passed through an education system will occasionally ask themselves if they have what it takes to be a teacher. After all, the teachers who inspired and encouraged us are not easily, if ever, forgotten.
So, wondering if you have the patience, energy and enthusiasm to inspire a bunch of 30 young learners every day is not unusual. It's also a question every new teacher trainee must address. But as well as getting on and working well with children, there is a core skill set that every teacher must possess.
That skill set is transferable from a host of established careers. "People from industry bring a host of experiences and skills that can be beneficial to schools," says Luke Graham, head of recruitment strategy for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). "Teachers need good communication skills, they need to be highly organised, and they need to be able to monitor different information sources. They must make quick decisions and respond to the unexpected. Along with these skills, people from industry have a wealth of experience working with subject material that children can relate to."
Emma Collins from Portsmouth, training to be a secondary ICT teacher, says that she applies her real world experience to the classroom and introduces students to the typical pitfalls, problems and resolutions she's implemented in roles which have included project manager for business management systems and technical support specialist for IBM. "I've built up a strong sense of how business functions work and I translate that into adapting learning materials for pupils," Collins says. "I have a level of pragmatism that can only be gained through years of business experience, and a wealth of organisational methods, materials and styles. Although these skills aren't immediately or completely transferable into teaching, they do give me an advantage."
Sarah Nicholson from London, who spent nine years in various IT roles at the Financial Times and is now on the same Transition to Teaching programme as Emma Collins, agrees that her experience of the working world helps in finding creative ways to deliver the curriculum and engage students. "The ability to look confident and calm while being scared to death helps when you're dealing with a new class or a subject area you are less familiar with," Nicholson says. "You also use your ability to adapt and work with others. Although you're alone in the classroom, you have to work with lots of people you don't have much time to get to know."
Proof that the transition to teaching has no impact on ambition, Nicholson says that once qualified she hopes to use her management skills to deliver change, motivate other teachers and lead a department. "I'd love to build on a combination of newfound teaching skills and former leadership and management skills to make it to senior management in a school one day," she says.
| Your job | Your skills | How they'll work in the classroom |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer or legal professional | Making effective, persuasive, evidence-based arguments in an engaging way | Inspiring your students when you deliver lessons or lectures |
| Doctor or medical professional | Keeping calm under pressure and making key decisions in the heat of the moment | Ability to deal with lively classes and giving pupils sound guidance on a moment’s notice |
| IT or telecoms professional | Up-to-date technology and emerging trends awareness | You know how IT skills can open up a world of learning for children and can engage them with the latest technology |
| PR, entertainment or customer relations officer | Instantly connect with others and have empathy with them | Great communication skills help you bond with, and deliver knowledge to, students |
| Scientist, financier or lab technician | Thorough, in-depth knowledge of your subject | You can answer the hardest questions posed by your pupils and share the passion you have for your subject with them |
