Changing careers: a lifestyle choice
Interview with 60 Minutes
Reading, Writing, Resigning…
Journey from teacher to Melbourne copywriter and instructional designer.
Late last year, after the global pandemic highlighted just how short life is (thanks COVID), I resigned from a long-term teaching role to try my hand at something different.
This wasn’t a decision I took lightly, but I knew that if I didn’t make the leap now, at age forty-three, I might never do it. In terms of the job title I wanted, I wasn’t clear on the specifics. I just knew the type of lifestyle I was after.
I wanted flexibility (something teaching doesn’t give much of), more time with my family, and the chance to use the skills I had in a different capacity.
For fourteen years I’d been a writer, and an educator in secondary schools — so I began looking at copywriting, communications, publishing and mentoring, and finally found myself talking to EdTech professionals on LinkedIn.
Short for education technology, working in this profession would allow me to write, use my teaching expertise AND be creative. With more and more companies looking for online learning experiences, the sector was also innovative and expanding rapidly.
At the same time, I tried my hand at copywriting. I spoke to a Melbourne copywriter friend about her work, which ranged from doing SEO website copywriting to marketing support to proofreading and editing. Not only was there diversity, but copywriting offered the chance to start my own small business and set my own hours.
In the end, I did what I hadn’t been able to do while working in schools and chose when and how I wanted my work life to look. I was offered a part-time job in an EdTech company as an Instructional Designer and started a copywriting business on the side.
The transition hasn’t been all beer and skittles. It’s been a steep learning curve and confronting at times. But it’s also been empowering. And, the opportunity to stretch my wings and carve out a lifestyle that suits me, has definitely made the shift worthwhile.
Recently, Chanel 9’s news and current affairs program, 60 Minutes, interviewed me about leaving the teaching profession. Take a look at Reading, Writing, Resigning for the full story.
For more on leaving teaching, see my news.com.au article.
For information about how I can help you write compelling copy for your business, drop me a line or check out my services page.
