I currently work as a teacher in a school district near the RI border. Been in the field for 11 years in various roles. Unfortunately, as most people have seen, the field just isn’t what it used to be. Not looking to spark any conversation about why, so please skip that. I am thinking of changing careers. My undergrad was in engineering, and I’ve got a year or two experience managing in the retail environment, as well as a special education background, which comes in handy for reading people and managing people. Has anyone done a similar jump in careers? How we’re you able to do it? What advice do you have? I was thinking of the project management route, but am open to a lot of possibilities. I know the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but I do want to be able to afford to water it from time to time. Thanks for any and all help!

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blacklassie t1_jd06j0x wrote on March 20, 2023 at 9:46 PM

#2,284,336

It might be helpful to specify what type of engineering your degree was in.

foamfingerman44 OP t1_jd06nqb wrote on March 20, 2023 at 9:47 PM

#2,284,343

Replying to blacklassie (#2,284,336)

Architectural. It’s probably not all that helpfully specifically, but more as a general background statement.

johnnyappleb t1_jd07vw3 wrote on March 20, 2023 at 9:55 PM

#2,284,417

Depending on your interests, your experience sounds very transferable to a management position in tech (developer or scrum master).

I'd suggest going to your local MassHire location where you can learn about roles, salaries, and available programs to help you change careers.

Also attend as many networking events and seminars as you can. If you are aiming for tech, meetup.com lists a bunch of local events where you can ask around and get more feedback on what roles you are suited best for.

Ikirio t1_jd0ghrn wrote on March 20, 2023 at 10:55 PM

#2,284,994

Not to hijack you but I am considering the opposite jump into teaching. Mind if I ask what the issue your referring to is ? I don't want a debate I just want your perspective.

foamfingerman44 OP t1_jd0hho7 wrote on March 20, 2023 at 11:03 PM

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Replying to Ikirio (#2,284,994)

No worries. I got my start in the field too late. I took the first job after getting my degree. Made just under minimum wage as a behavior tech for 5 years. After those years, no one would take me without my Special Education license. Took two years to get my Special Education license. Now I’m 7 years into a career and really haven’t made any gains financially, tenurally (if that’s a word?), or professionally. Got a job in Special Education after that, but now I’m 7 years late to the party. If I was on my true 12th year, my salary would be a lot higher. I know salary isn’t everything, and I truly enjoy the challenges the job brings. My background is in behavior, and I enjoy figuring out what motivates and drives people through studying it. But I’m at a point where, at my age, I can’t imagine this financial struggle keeping on for another 12 years. If I don’t shift gears, I don’t see getting ahead as an option.

If you are just starting out, and don’t mind a struggle for a year or two, then this is one of the best and rewarding careers you can grab. You have to be internally motivated though.

InterestingFroyo1501 t1_jd0jlfn wrote on March 20, 2023 at 11:18 PM

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You are effectively a new graduate in your original field of study but older, private consulting will be hesitant as this seems to be a mid-life crisis in their eyes due to switching into a completely different field all of a sudden, public is definitely more lenient. Your field of study is kind of related to civil engineering. USACE definitely does hire architectural engineers, MassDOT I'm not sure but you can try something related to Civil. I'm pretty sure you need your E.I.T license and afterwards your P.E. license to practice, which is difficult after being out of school for so long. If you do go this route, try USACE, you will start off on the low side of $ but stay there long enough for return rights, you can do a voluntary 3-5 year stint in another country with a lot of expenses paid and come back with a job. It's really nice, I suggest you look into it more.

Project management is too broad, BUT, can bypass the whole E.I.T and P.E shenanigans if you go to the right field. I know mechanical engineers who are in project management of buildings with LEET certificates which isn't really ordinary. This may interest you as you studied architectural engineering, you should be able to recall what LEET certificates are.

You can also go back to grad school but.. I'm betting you already did an MA in educational studies or something already and don't want another degree.

combatshotgun t1_jd0m9z1 wrote on March 20, 2023 at 11:37 PM

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Also a teacher currently working on a career change and trying to find something ASAP, welcome to the club! The biggest hurdle seems to be finding something that pays similarly but I suppose a pay cut is too be expected when switching careers.

Good luck with your search and (hopefully) your soon to be newfound mental health and happiness!

Chewyville t1_jd0o7p5 wrote on March 20, 2023 at 11:51 PM

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Replying to foamfingerman44 (#2,284,343)

Go learn cad, 3D cad, or rivet. You could work anywhere. No one can fill those jobs right now

Timtherobot t1_jd0r65u wrote on March 21, 2023 at 12:12 AM

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I would recommend looking at the energy/sustainability space. Lots of work, and while your engineering skills may be a bit rusty, I suspect that you can build a a good story to map your skills as a teacher into a project management role which is always in demand. I would suggest talking to a professional coach to help build and practice that story.