Around the world, fewer people are becoming teachers. High workload pressures, uncompetitive salaries, and increasing work stress have all led to a reduction of people taking on education degrees and starting a career in teaching.
But education will always be a reliable sector to find employment. As long as people continue to have children, there will be a need for people to teach them, and with the increasing teaching shortage, Australia needs more passionate educators than ever before.
How to Tell if Teaching May Be Right for You
Teaching is a massive responsibility. The people who do it, and the people who are great at it, are truly passionate about the industry and care strongly about their jobs and students. With such high professional pressure, it’s important that those who are starting off in the industry are sure that it’ll be something they’ll love for their working lives.
You Genuinely Care About Kids
Being a teacher means spending a lot of time with children and teens, so making sure you genuinely enjoy the company of young people is pretty important. Spending the whole day leading a classroom full of students is a completely different skill from hanging out with your own or your friend’s kids.
Before jumping into a career in education, take the time to consider if managing the time and focus of children for hours a day is right for you. It’s also important to consider the age bracket you’d be most happy to work with. There’s a huge difference between teaching early education and taking on mid to late high school students.
You’re Patient
Working with children requires endless patience. Whether it’s a classroom full of five or fifteen-year-olds, you’ll need to be able to breathe deeply and react with kindness and levelheadedness.
People with short fuses or those who can’t hold their nerve under pressure may struggle in the high-stress environment of leading a classroom. Everyone has a story of that teacher who had no sense of humour and defaulted to shouting at every inconvenience. Don’t be that teacher.
You Want to Make a Difference
One of the biggest draws to a career in education is the chance to make a difference in the lives of children. From supporting young students to develop essential literacy skills to mentoring high schoolers through life decisions, your work can have a lasting impact.
In Australia, educators are essential contributors to community wellbeing and national progress. If you’re passionate about helping others reach their potential and believe in education as a driver of social change, you’re already aligned with some of the profession’s core values.
You Thrive on Variety and Challenge
No two days are ever the same in education. Teaching and learning environments are constantly evolving, especially with the increasing integration of technology and personalised learning pathways. Educators often need to think on their feet, adapt to new situations, and find creative solutions to keep their students engaged.
If you’re someone who enjoys problem-solving, embracing innovation, and working in roles that keep you on your toes, education offers plenty of scope to grow and evolve.
You’re a Lifelong Learner
Education isn’t just about passing on knowledge, it’s also about continuing to grow yourself. Many who pursue a career in education are naturally curious and committed to ongoing learning. That might mean reading up on the latest learning styles, exploring new teaching strategies, or upskilling to take on leadership roles.
For those already working in education or considering a move into the field, pursuing a Master’s of Education online can be an excellent way to deepen your expertise while continuing to work and without taking a career break. Online study offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace while developing the skills you need to move into leadership, curriculum development, or specialist education roles.
You Value Relationships and Collaboration
Whether you’re working directly with students, communicating with families, or collaborating with colleagues, strong interpersonal skills are essential. A successful career in education often involves empathy, patience, and the ability to communicate clearly with a range of audiences.
In Australian schools, collaboration is highly valued. Teachers work in teams, share resources, and support each other to improve student outcomes. If you enjoy working with others and building strong professional relationships, you’ll likely find a supportive and enriching community in the education sector.
Pathways into the Profession
Not everyone starts their career in education from day one. Many Australians come to the field after working in other industries, bringing valuable life experience with them. Whether you have a background in business, science, the arts, or trades, there are pathways available to transition into education.
Further study, such as a teaching qualification or postgraduate degree, can open new doors. For those already in the field looking to step up, upskilling and taking on additional qualifications is a good way to advance your career while maintaining work and family commitments.
A career in education is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. If you’re passionate about learning, enjoy working with people, and want a career with purpose, it might just be the right career for you. With flexible study options and strong demand for skilled educators across Australia, there’s never been a better time to explore what education has to offer.
