A career & professional growth debate.

Career & Professional Growth
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
Portrait of Florence Nightingale

Benjamin FranklinvsFlorence Nightingale

The Question

I have been a high school English teacher for 10 years, but the stress and the low pay are finally getting to me, and I want to transition into the corporate world. The problem is that every job listing for 'Instructional Design' or 'Corporate Trainer' asks for 3-5 years of corporate experience, which I don't have. I know my skills in curriculum planning and public speaking translate perfectly, but I can't seem to get past the automated resume screeners. How do I rewrite my resume to translate 'classroom management' into business language so recruiters take me seriously? I feel stuck and I don't want to go back to school for another degree if I don't have to.

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

"Industry and self-improvement open any door—translate your skills strategically"

I was a printer who became a diplomat, scientist, and statesman. Reinvention is American. Your classroom management is "team leadership and conflict resolution." Your curriculum planning is "learning experience design." Your parent conferences are "stakeholder communication." Rewrite your resume in their language, not yours.

37 votes
Portrait of Florence Nightingale

"Before you flee, ask: are you running toward something or away from something?"

True calling demands action, not mere sentiment. But be certain you understand what you are leaving. Is it teaching you hate, or the conditions of teaching? Corporate training may have its own stress and its own low moments. The grass is not always greener. What would need to change for teaching to become bearable again?

52 votes

89 votes total


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