Alternative Careers for Teachers

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Alternative Careers for Teachers

• What Else Can I Do With My MT degree (B.Ed)?

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• Work cannot be fun until we align our passion
  with our task.
• Work will just be a job until we close the gap
  between what our heart is calling us to do, and
  what we are actually doing.
• -Lance Screaton-

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The FOUR Need to Knows

• Know what you have
• Know what you can do/what you want to do
• Know your passions and values
• Know how to market yourself

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Know what you have

• Your Transferable Skills

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Teachers Have Transferable Skills

• Effective teachers have organizational and
  administrative abilities, communication skills,
  leadership abilities, the ability to influence
  and motivate, and high levels of creativity.
• Source Rowan University, College of Education
  http//www2.rowan.edu/mars/depts/elemed/careers.ht
  ml

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Top Ten Transferable Skills of Teachers

• Adaptable
• Analytical
• Communication
• Computer
• Coordination

• Flexible
• Independent
• Organization
• Research Skills
• Team Player

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MT Alumni Work Skills Reported Using

• Work Well with Others (96.5)
• Problem-Solving (94.5)
• Effective Speaking (93)
• Leadership (89.5)
• Think Creatively (89)
• Conflict Resolution (87.5)
• Think Critically (86)
• Work Independently (85.5)
• Source University of Calgary,
• Career Services STAR Report, 2003

• Awareness of Political, Social, Ethical Issues
  (82.5)
• Set Achieve Learning Goals (80)
• Effective Writing (72)
• Project Management (69.5)
• Research (57)
• Computer (56)

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Know what you wantvalues and passions

• Self Assessment

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Self Assessment Yikes! How do I do that?

• Conduct an exploration of your values, interests,
  skills, and accomplishments.
• Consider what you have liked and disliked about
  being a teacher, and reflect on past volunteer
  and work experiences
• Some individuals will be able to go through this
  part of the process themselves. 
• Tools to use
•  

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Transferable Skills What Now?

• Self Assessment
• Develop a Professional Profile
• Database of education, work and volunteer
  experience
• List responsibilities, skills and accomplishments
• Select key highlights to include in your resume.
• Fill in the gaps ..

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Self AssessmentHow do you determine your passion?

• Career Counselling Centre, UofC, 3rd Floor, Mac
  Hall
• Information about career decision-making and
  career research, career planning workshops and
  individual counselling. 
• Career testing learn about how your interests
  and personality preferences relate to different
  occupations.
• Pick up a copy of SKILLS PLUS HANDBOOK
  Discovering your Personal Career Assets,
  available at Career Services
• Jackson Vocation Interest Survey
• www.jvis.com/ucalgary
• Career Services

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Self Assessment Consider

• Job Description
• Overall responsibilities
• Skills using/gaining
• Accountabilities
• Supervision
• Degree of challenge
• Position
• Independent or Team
• Working with children/youth/or other
• Typical day

• Supervisor
• Style
• Fit
• Professional Development
• Conferences
• Training/Education

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Self Assessment Consider

• Location
• Urban/ Rural
• Family/Friends
• Cost of Living
• Real Estate/Insurance
• Daily Expenses
• Personal
• Life style
• Time

• Employer
• Culture
• Size
• Work environment
• Space
• Colleagues
• Work volume
• Benefits
• Pension/Health
• Holidays/sick time

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Know how to Market yourself

• CAREER SERVICES!...

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CAREER SERVICESFREE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP!

• Workshops
• Interviewing Skills
• Resume Readiness
• Hidden Job Market
• Computer terminals
• Job postings
• Website
• CAREER ADVISOR!

• Career Fairs
• Company Information Sessions
• Resource Library
• Resume Cover Letter Review

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Filling in the Gaps

• Fortunately, educators enjoy widespread
  opportunities to transfer teaching skills to
  alternative careers.
• Source 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers
  (Margaret M. Gisler, 2002. p. 2)

• Gain skill-building experience by
• Volunteering
• Summer work
• Freelancing
• Consulting
• Experience-Building Interim Jobs
• Building a Business
• Additional training or education

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Career Services University of Calgary

• For job search links, to research a Career, and
  for job postings
• www.ucalgary.ca/careers/students