You’re not alone. A growing number of educators in Aotearoa are wondering whether the classroom is still the right fit. You might be craving fresh challenges, more flexibility, or simply wondering what else you could do with your skills.
But when you’re caught in the day-to-day, it’s hard to find the space (or the headspace) to figure it all out. That’s where this part of the journey begins.
Career planning doesn’t always start with a clear goal. Sometimes it starts with frustration. Or curiosity. Or a sense that something’s not working anymore.
If you’ve found yourself thinking:
“I love aspects of teaching, but I’m not sure I can do this forever”
“I want more flexibility and freedom, but I still want to do meaningful work”
“I just want to know what my other options are”
…then you’re in the right place.
At Pivot People, we believe it’s okay to explore without committing to change right away. In fact, it’s often the best place to start.
You might be surprised by how many directions your experience could take you. Teachers develop a wide range of transferable skills — communication, problem-solving, leadership, empathy, organisation — the kind of skills valued across countless industries.
Some educators transition into roles like:
Learning & development
Coaching & mentoring
Recruitment
Content creation or writing
Education technology
Programme coordination
Youth and community work
Business and entrepreneurship
Others stay in education, but shift roles:
From classroom to leadership
From full-time to part-time
From teaching to support or advisory roles
From one subject or level to another
It’s not about finding the one perfect alternative. It’s about discovering what energises you and building from there.
Career pivots can be gradual. In fact, they often work better that way.
At Pivot People, we encourage you to:
Start with reflection (what do you actually enjoy?)
Identify your strengths and values
Explore real stories of people who’ve made changes
Take small steps toward new opportunities
We provide tools and insights that help you do just that — all without pressure or overwhelm.