After 9 years in the classroom, I got to a point where I knew something had to change.
I had built the lessons, saved the PowerPoints, and knew the routines. On paper, I had experience, stability, and a decent salary for a teacher. But somehow, I still felt drained, overworked, and burnt out every single year.
I want to be real with you: making a career change as a teacher was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I walked away from a $110,000 teaching salary with no job lined up, spent 7 months job searching, and started over in an entry-level role in my 30s.
And I would do it again.
If you’re one of the many teachers thinking about changing careers and wondering whether it’s actually possible without going back to school or spending thousands on a bootcamp, this post is for you. I’m going to walk through what I did, what I wish I had known, and the things nobody really talks about when it comes to leaving teaching for tech.
Why I Knew It Was Time to Leave Teaching
I had been feeling burned out for a while, honestly even before COVID.
I worked in a charter school, and if you know, you know. The expectations were high, the workload never really stopped, and even though I tried to do as much as possible during school hours so I wouldn’t bring things home, teaching still took a lot out of me.
I loved teaching.
But I didn’t love the constant stress, the lack of flexibility, and the feeling of always being “on.” No matter how much I gave, I still ended up running on empty.
Then COVID happened.
Working from home during the pandemic was actually what showed me what was possible. I saw that other people had flexibility. They could work from anywhere. They had more control over their schedules. They weren’t putting in unpaid overtime. They had a work-life balance that I dreamed about.
It made me realize I wanted that for myself too.
That was the moment I stopped making excuses and started actually planning to leave.
The Biggest Mindset Shift I Had to Make
One of the hardest parts of this career change wasn’t the job search itself. It was accepting that I might have to start over.
By the time I made my move, I had spent 9 years building a career in education. I was in my 30s. People I knew were already senior managers and team leads in their companies. So the idea of leaving something I had built and stepping into an entry-level role again was a lot to sit with emotionally.
That part doesn’t get talked about enough.
One of the biggest challenges for teachers changing careers isn’t just updating a resume or finding job openings. It’s accepting that your next step might feel like a step back, at least on paper, even if it’s actually moving you forward.
That was hard for me. But I kept reminding myself to think long term. Get your foot in the door first. Build from there.
How I Started Preparing for the Transition (While Still Teaching)
I spent time preparing while I was still in the classroom, before I ever turned in my resignation.
I followed people who had already made the switch
I started following creators and professionals online who had already transitioned out of teaching or were sharing career pivot advice.
This helped me in two ways. First, it made the transition feel possible. Second, I started learning from people who were a few steps ahead of me.
Sometimes when you’re stuck, seeing someone else on the other side of it is all the proof you need.
I joined free communities and newsletters
This was huge. I found communities that regularly shared job leads, networking events, resources, and hiring opportunities specifically for people trying to break into tech. Being in those spaces helped me see what was actually out there and reminded me I didn’t need to figure this out alone.
One of the biggest ones I found was Techqueria, a free community for Latinx professionals working in or transitioning into tech. They share job openings, workshops, and hiring events through their email list and Slack group. Completely free to join.
I applied for free programs even when I didn’t feel fully ready.
Through these communities, I learned about Tribaja’s Path to Power Scholars program, a free program specifically for Latinas looking to transition into tech. I applied, and I was selected as 1 of 20 scholars.
The program included virtual sessions with speakers and mentors, resume support, accountability, and access to a free Coursera course.
I didn’t get a job right after the program ended. But it still gave me something just as important: community, structure, and proof to myself that I was capable of doing this.
Not every opportunity is valuable because it leads directly to a job. Some are valuable because they build your confidence and keep you going.
I started networking, even though it felt awkward
Networking did not come naturally to me at all. I’m not someone who feels super comfortable reaching out to strangers. But I knew nobody else was going to do this part for me.
So I went on LinkedIn and searched for people who had transitioned from teaching to tech. I also narrowed my search to people who had gone to my grad school or worked in the same charter school network, so I had something specific to mention when I reached out.
Most people didn’t respond.
But the few who did were incredibly helpful. Some met with me over Zoom, some shared advice, and some even shared their own teacher to tech resumes with me. That kind of help meant a lot, especially because I didn’t really have many connections in that industry and was trying to figure it out as I went.
One thing that helped: read someone’s “About” section on LinkedIn before you message them, and mention something you actually have in common. It makes your message feel personal instead of generic, and you’re much more likely to get a reply.
Something simple like:
“Hi [Name], I noticed we both went to [school], and I saw that you transitioned from teaching into tech. I’m trying to figure out a similar move for myself, so I wanted to reach out. If you’re ever open to a quick chat, I’d love to hear about your experience.”
I started browsing job listings before I felt ready to apply.
I spent time on LinkedIn just reading job descriptions. Not to apply to everything right away, but to understand what roles even existed.
I paid attention to job titles, salary ranges, responsibilities, and qualifications. I looked for what sounded interesting and what already overlapped with skills I had from teaching.
It helped me go from “I don’t even know where to start” to actually seeing where I could fit in.
How I Financially Prepared Myself Before Quitting
This part was a big deal for me, and I think it’s one of the most important things to think through before you leave.
Walking away from $110K was a huge decision, and definitely not one I made lightly.
Before I turned in my resignation, I got serious about saving. I already had an emergency fund, but I wanted extra savings set aside for this transition so I wouldn’t wipe it out while looking for a new job.
Whether you call it a sabbatical fund or just a bigger emergency fund, the idea is the same. You want cash saved that can cover your real monthly expenses for several months, at least 6 months in my opinion, so you’re not desperate during the job search or falling into debt.
Here’s what I did to build that cushion:
I cut back on spending. Less shopping, fewer dinners out. I was okay with it because I knew it was temporary. Short-term sacrifices for a longer-term goal are a lot easier to make when you know exactly why you’re making them.
I decreased my 403b contributions during that final stretch so I could put more cash into savings instead. I didn’t love doing that, but I knew I needed more cash on hand for this transition.
I also ran mock budgets. I sat down and mapped out what my life would look like without my teaching income. I figured out my actual bare minimum monthly number and made sure I had enough saved to cover that for several months before I walked out.
I’ll also be transparent about what helped my situation specifically: I own a home with a rental unit upstairs, so I had rental income coming in. My boyfriend had also moved in a few months before I quit, and between those two things, my mortgage and most of my utilities were covered. That let my savings stretch further.
Not everyone has those options, and I know that. But the core strategy still applies no matter your situation: know your number, save more than that, and cut where you can temporarily.
Once I officially quit, I also picked up catering gigs here and there to help bring in a little money while I searched. Later, I took on a part-time job too.
It wasn’t what I pictured for myself at that stage of life. But it helped.
If you’re thinking about making a career change from teaching, here’s what I’d do on the financial side before you leave:
- Build a sabbatical fund or boost your emergency fund specifically for this period
- Create a mock budget based on life without your teaching income
- Figure out your actual bare minimum monthly expenses
- Identify temporary spending cuts you could make
- Think through flexible side gigs that could help stretch your savings, like dog walking through Rover, food delivery through UberEats, tutoring, or picking up a part-time job on the side.
How I Figured Out Which Tech Industry to Focus On
I didn’t have a tech background. I also didn’t want to go back to school or do a full bootcamp. I wanted to see if I could make this work with what I already had.
So I asked myself three questions:
What do I already know?
What am I good at?
And what do I actually care about?
At first, I focused on EdTech.
After 9 years in the classroom, EdTech made the most sense. I understood curriculum design, how to break down complex topics for different types of learners, how to write clear content, and how to work with all kinds of people. Those were skills I had built over time. I knew they could translate.
I did get a few interviews, maybe around three, but considering how many jobs I had applied to, it still felt like I wasn’t getting very far.
So I stepped back and asked myself a better question: where else could my experience and interests actually overlap?
That’s when I started focusing on fintech.
I had already been learning about personal finance for years. Budgeting, saving, debt, credit, investing, and financial literacy were things I genuinely cared about. I also had my own platform where I was talking about money, so fintech started to make a lot more sense for me.
That shift helped me stop applying to anything and everything in tech and start focusing my energy where my background could actually work in my favor.
If you’re trying to figure out where to start, look at what you already know and what you genuinely care about. Those two things together can tell you a lot about where to focus.
From Teacher to Tech: Why I Started in Customer Support
My first role in fintech was in customer support.
Was it the dream role? No.
Was it the highest-paying position? Definitely not.
But I knew customer support representative roles were one of the most realistic entry points for someone coming from outside the industry. I could leverage my communication skills, my ability to explain things clearly, my patience, and my experience working with all kinds of people. And more than anything, I knew it could get me in the door.
So I looked specifically for smaller fintech companies with customer support openings. I did apply for some manager-level roles too, but I was honest with myself: the easiest route into the industry was going to be starting in an entry-level support role and building from there.
That decision was worth it.
Just before I hit my one-year mark, I got promoted. Now I get to use more of my teacher brain again while learning new skills I didn’t have before.
So if you’re a teacher thinking about changing careers and struggling with the idea of starting over, here’s your friendly reminder: entry level does not mean forever. Sometimes it’s just the bridge.
How I Translated My Teaching Skills for Tech Roles
One thing that took me real time was learning how to stop describing my experience like a teacher and start describing it in a way that made sense to a tech company.
Submitting a teacher resume for tech roles wasn’t going to work. The experience was there, but the language wasn’t. So I started paying closer attention to what was actually showing up in job descriptions and how my background could connect to it.
Here are some of the translations that came up over and over:
- Lesson planning connected to project coordination
- Leading professional development or grade-level teams connected to training and facilitation
- Tracking student progress and using assessment data connected to data tracking, problem-solving, and performance analysis
- Parent and student communication connected to customer support and relationship management
Those skills were always there. I just didn’t know how to describe them in a way that made sense outside of a classroom.
I also used ChatGPT to help me analyze job descriptions, pull out keywords, and reframe how I described my experience. It wasn’t about copying and pasting whatever AI gave me. It was more like having a brainstorming partner when I felt stuck on wording.
It also helped me figure out where to add metrics, something tech resumes really need but teachers rarely think to include. And honestly, updating a resume feels like a full-time job on its own, so any help I could get was worth it.
What Was Hardest During This Career Change
There were a few parts of this transition that really tested me.
The fear of losing income was real. Walking away from $110K with nothing else lined up is scary, no matter how prepared you think you are.
The rejection was constant. I sent out so many applications and got so many versions of the same rejection email that after a while, it became super discouraging. Between the resume rewrites, the networking, and the applications going nowhere, there were times when I genuinely wondered if any of it was working or if I’d just end up going back to teaching.
Networking was hard too, especially at first. I’m naturally more reserved with people I don’t know yet, but I knew I had to do it.
And emotionally, it was hard to accept that after 9 years of building a career, my next step might look like a step down on paper.
What I didn’t struggle with was feeling incapable. I knew I was a quick learner, and I knew I could figure things out. The harder part was staying patient while everything took longer than I wanted it to.
What Helped Me Keep Going
A few things really helped me keep going during this transition.
Taking breaks helped. When rejections are piling up, sometimes the best thing you can do is stop, reset, and come back with a clearer head. Forcing yourself to keep going when you’re running on empty doesn’t always help. Taking a break and coming back usually does.
Side gigs took a little pressure off. For me, catering gigs and my part-time job helped stretch my savings. Having any income coming in, even small amounts, made the waiting feel more manageable.
Hearing other people’s stories helped. Learning from people who had already made a pivot reminded me it was possible, even when it was taking longer than I wanted. Community really matters during this kind of transition.
Continuing to learn helped me feel like I was still moving forward. Even small steps, a new course, a new connection, a better version of my resume, made me feel like I was still making progress.
What I’d Tell Other Teachers Thinking About a Career Change
Start before you feel ready.
Follow people who’ve made the pivot. Join free communities. Start reading job listings just to understand what’s out there. Don’t wait until everything feels perfectly lined up, because it probably won’t.
Build your financial cushion before you leave.
Know your real monthly number. Run a mock budget. If you can, give yourself more cushion than you think you’ll need. The more prepared you are financially, the more breathing room you’ll have during the transition.
Start translating your skills early.
Don’t wait until you’re deep in the job search. Start reading job descriptions now and pay attention to where your teaching experience already overlaps. This part takes time, and starting early helps.
And be okay with starting over.
This was one of the hardest parts for me. Starting over meant a lower title and a lower salary, but it also gave me a way in.
A career change for teachers is absolutely possible. It may take longer than you want, and it may cost more emotionally than people talk about, but it can still be worth it.
Your first role does not have to be your forever role.
Final Thoughts
Leaving teaching after 9 years was one of the hardest and scariest things I’ve ever done. It was also one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.
It took planning. It took patience. It took swallowing my pride a little and being willing to start from somewhere new. But it opened the door to a different kind of work and life that fits me better.
If you’re in that in-between place right now, I hope this post reminds you that you’re not behind and you’re not stuck. You might just be at the beginning of a different path.
If you’re thinking about leaving teaching and want more honest content on money and career transitions, stick around. I share personal finance tips, real stories from changing careers, and the things I wish more first-gen women had known sooner.
If this resonated, let me know in the comments.