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We’ve noticed a trend: teachers pivoting into the business world. And being very successful at it.
I won’t get into the state of the education system that’s driving it. But it’s refreshing to see broad life experiences and fresh perspectives NOT being a disadvantage.
That may sound silly or obvious. Why would range be a bad thing?
Consider two factors:
1. Hiring bias towards people who have already “done the job.”
As a recruiter, I’m paid to find someone with an exact skill set. Because that’s what the hiring manager wants. They have limited time and resources. And need someone proven capable to step in and execute.
This isn’t every job. Plenty of hiring leaders hire people with outside backgrounds. It’s just less common, and they don’t hire recruiters for it.
2. Imposter syndrome. People don’t think career pivots are as attainable as they really are.
I joke about imposter syndrome simply being low self-esteem. (It is, lol.) In reality, it’s a lack of understanding that nothing is really as hard as it seems.
Most of us are just winging it. We figure it out as we go. But to a noob, we’re doing the impossible with wizardry.
👉The truth is: lack of range within an org breeds status quoism.
Specialists, and people who have always taken the established path, don’t have the same life experience to create new solutions that generalists and outsiders have.
Back to teachers. As Chris Taylor pointed out in our recent segment, they’re the best communicators. Full stop.
Teachers have to adjust to their audience, on a dime, all day long.
High communicators like administrators and fellow teachers.
Parents. Which if we’re being honest…can be a mixed bag.
Kids. Including special needs and non-verbal children.
So yeah. They can handle convos with your weirdo devs, demanding leaders and difficult clients.
👉Better than most of your existing team.
I’ll talk about career pivoting into tech a bit over the next week or two. If you want spoilers, check out the full video (here).
You can follow me on LinkedIn here and Twitter here. Join the discussion on this LinkedIn post (or give it a 👍) here.
Teachers have more range than you.