The Yellow Board

Another profession

Posted by Jobs on 7/18/2022, 10:25 am

You guys that have switched to a different job...what did you switch to? Are you making real money? When did you do it? Thanks!!

Re: Another profession

Posted by LeftTeaching-SeekingNewCareer on 7/26/2022, 2:12 am, in reply to "Another profession "

I just left the band classroom this summer
myself. Wife’s job is already work from home and we’d like to move out of state. I’d like something WFH as well. Open to tech, coding, and other lucrative, flexible WFH jobs. Those who made the jump - how did you do it?

Re: Another profession

Posted by Exercise on 7/21/2022, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Another profession "

I went into the tech sector. I work less hours, have weekends to myself, make 2.5 times more money, and have better benefits.

Now, it took me a few years to get to this point after leaving the teaching "profession".

Re: Another profession

Posted by What tech? on 7/22/2022, 12:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

What specific job donyou have in the tech sector? I have decided this year(year 10) is make or break for me if I truly love what im doing or if I want to try something else.

Re: Another profession

Posted by NLABD on 7/19/2022, 11:20 am, in reply to "Another profession "

I now work for a Fortune 500 company that is the largest of its kind in the US and third globally. I work from home and I am paid hourly. My yearly haul is about what it was in education. Overall, I work fewer hours and WAY less stress.

I am appreciated. I go to the bathroom when I want. I can flex my hours so that I am not losing a half day here or a whole day there to go do a doctor or dental appointment. I can flex my lunch time to go when it works for me. My 401K now comes with a 10% match.

I go from a one-year contact to permanent staffing at the end of next month (I've already been told) and I'll negotiate a raise for myself. My paid PTO has tripled since I started, and it hasn't even been a year.

My weekends are free. And I don't think about the job after I close the laptop at the end of the day.

I work in the staffing industry and I help coordinate getting people settled into their new jobs.

And I got the job based on a reference from a childhood classmate who remembered that I was smart and capable - something that the politicians have forgotten.

Man, I miss teaching kids, but I don't miss any of the rest of it.

Re: Another profession

Posted by Mike D on 7/18/2022, 6:00 pm, in reply to "Another profession "

Writing code for a daytime career now. I was making a bit more than a metroplex assistant band director at first. Now that I'm several years in, the salary is about 125% more than I was making as a band director.

Re: Another profession

Posted by another coder on 7/19/2022, 2:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

Same experience here. Learned to code and ended up doing a boot camp. Now make 130% of my band director salary. Work remotely, unlimited PTO, flexible work day.

Re: Another profession

Posted by potential coder on 7/27/2022, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

How did you all get into this profession? Course work and certificates? High considering this in the near future.

Re: Another profession

Posted by Me too on 7/20/2022, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

I did the same thing. I landed a job at a educational service center, so not only am I making more money, I am still paying into TRS. I love the fact that when my day is done, it’s done. No dealing with extra stuff outside normal working hours.

Re: Another profession

Posted by another coder on 7/20/2022, 4:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

Oh dang! That is pretty incredible - I would have never thought to look at state jobs.

Re: Another profession

Posted by Sales on 7/18/2022, 3:52 pm, in reply to "Another profession "

Music Sales

Even with multiple years in sales and out of the classroom it's really hard to compete against the resume folks with a business degree and getting their first start in a different industry working their way up. If you know someone that can get you an interview you will have an easier time making the switch. (Look at any Pharma rep or gas/oil industry reps and they want experience in that actual field).

Making less money than when I was teaching but still enough money for where I am in life with other perks that aren't salary but certainly lower my out of cost pocket like a company provided vehicle with gas card. Company covers all repairs up front so there is $0 out of pocket expenses for it.

Made the jump after a few decades in the classroom. Too old and don't care enough to compete with the hungry new grads trying to make a name for themselves and be aggressive sales folks. Too young to retire but knew I needed a change.

Still have busy seasons but not nearly as many evenings and virtually 0 weekends.

Re: Another profession

Posted by ex-bd on 7/18/2022, 1:58 pm, in reply to "Another profession "

Implementation for a software company, making more than I was teaching (not a whole lot, but definitely more) + WFH, unlimited PTO and about to get promoted.

I have no other certs or licenses, but I did have a connection in the company.

Re: Another profession

Posted by W2 or 1099? on 7/18/2022, 3:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

Unlimited PTO sounds like you get paid when you work and not when you don't. Salaried W2 with full benefits?

Re: Another profession

Posted by Exercise on 7/21/2022, 12:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Another profession "

Not the person who responded, but my partner has a position with unlimited PTO. They're salaried with full benefits.

There are pros and cons to unlimited PTO.

What I value the most is the ability to work from home. I have no desire to be in an office again.

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