Contemplating a Career Change- Advice, Expereinces?

Has anyone changed careers to teaching?

I'm considering it but scared of making a wrong decision and would love to hear of your experiences or advice?

Here's a little background:
I've been in higher education (in a pr/marketing role) for 4 years but have been unhappy most of that time despite being good at my job.

NC has a terrific lateral entry program so entering the field without the appropriate bachelor's degree is feasible.

I'm considering high school or middle school.

I'm also considering community college teaching later in life but need at least 18 graduate hours in a subject area to qualify (which I could obtain while working on the lateral entry requirements).

I haven't changed careers to teaching, but I am going back to college in August for my masters degree in school counseling (I am a Social Worker).

Have you had any experience in the classroom? If not, my advice would be to shadow at both the high school and middle school level for a day each. That will really give you a feel for things.

I have heard that most of the lateral entry requirements can be done online for about $1,500. Nice summer project. I don't know where online, all that I remember is that the program had three initials in it. Some help :p

Thanks for the response. I actually have some limited classroom experience so know a little bit about what to expect.

I suppose the main concern is changing directions in my career. I know a lot of people change careers often, but... Well, I guess my anxiety stems from this: since I've determined that my original career path (from my undergrad degree and a master's I'm currently completing) is not for me, I'm worried about making another wrong choice.

What if I try this path, thinking it will be a good fit, but I end up unhappy in it as well.... :confused:

It's tough to make those decisions.

Someone once told me, when I was contemplating something that would take several years (grad school), to remember that in ten years I'd be ten years older whether I went to grad school or not.

And if it doesn't work out, you have great job experience and can find something that does, no?

Aquila, good points.

Even if I did get into it and find it's not a good fit, I wouldn't be locked into the decision forever.

But, man, making grown up decisions is so hard!

I just finished a 31 year career in education. Some of the best teachers I've worked with were mid career changers. They were mature, hard workers, and knew how to deal with kids. But, a good number of them also had a difficult time dealing with kids and were more "subject" oriented. And some were not prepared for the political BS and pettiness of a lot of school systems and other teachers.

I am going back to school for a different career starting in September. I am also wondering how I will "fit" with others in my new field. But, you can always change your mind. Go for it!

I've recently "switched back" to what i went to school for.

As many of you know, i have been working as a trainer. It has been time to move, and i decided i would give "science" another chance. So i am currently working as an environmental consultant. Now, there are some things i don't like so much, but thats more a company thing rather than the job itself. I love what i am doing. I'm working with people, and i like the big picture aspect...

ok as for job changing - i truly believe you need to do what you feel you were meant to do. I am glad i worked as a trainer. I learned a lot from that experience. I just realized it wasn't what i was going to be doing for the next ten or twenty years. In fact, i also know that what i am doing now, likely won't be it either, but one must take steps towards what one WANTS to really be doing. I'm still not sure - but i need to learn various aspects of the environmental industry and figure it out.

Does this make any sense?

I did a lot of talking to people and networking to figure out what kind of job i wanted. I found out who knew who, and just met for coffee, asking those people a bunch of questions on their jobs/industry. They were all willing to chat because, i wasn't really asking them for a job (not directly). When i told them that i was trying to figure out what i wanted in a job, they asked for my resume any way.

That was my experience...

good luck!