If you’ve wondered how to get into tech as a teacher, you may think the field is intimidating. But while some tech careers require coding skills, many do not. By highlighting your transferable skills and educational strengths, you can move into careers like instructional designer, eLearning developer, training specialist, or technical writer.
Transferable skills from teaching to tech
Teachers are exceptional communicators who know how to design lesson plans covering complex subjects. Education requires interpersonal and organizational abilities. And teachers also bring strong assessment, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Computer science careers and tech companies benefit from these people skills.
Technical roles for teachers in tech
What technical roles can teachers pursue? In addition to many types of coding jobs, educators’ backgrounds and skills may make the following technical roles a good fit.
EdTech developer
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: eLearning developer; EdTech specialist; instructional technology specialistImportant characteristics:
A strong understanding of pedagogy and learning methodsTech skills, including programming languages A background in education or assessment
EdTech developers create software and tools to help students learn new material. They design learning apps, digital tools, and learning technologies that assist teachers. EdTech developers act as a bridge between educators and the tech industry by communicating educational needs and creating tech solutions.
Digital strategist
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: Social media strategist; digital analyst; tech strategistImportant characteristics:
An understanding of marketing platforms and strategiesStrong analytical and organizational skillsThe ability to work closely with a team to reach goals
Digital strategists help organizations reach their goals through SEO, PPC ads, and technology. They recommend strategies to achieve goals, including expanding the customer base or improving efficiency. Digital strategists come from many backgrounds, including marketing, and require strong communication skills.
Web designer
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: Web graphic designer; front-end web developer; interaction designerImportant characteristics:
Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScriptStrong problem-solving skillsA detail-oriented outlook
Web designers create websites’ look and layout. Web design and related fields like web development require coding skills. One way to become a web developer is by enrolling in a full-stack web development bootcamp.
Non-technical roles available to teachers in tech
Teachers can also move into non-technical roles. Eligibility for these jobs depends on your education, skills, and previous experience. A bachelor’s degree in teaching meets the minimum degree requirements for each.
Training specialist
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: Learning consultant; instructional designer; training consultantImportant characteristics:
Strong instructional and communication skillsThe ability to plan training sessions and measure their impactA creative approach to teaching material
Training specialists typically work in human resources, where they help organizations strengthen their workplace skills. They create training materials, lead training sessions, and assess the impact of training strategies. A human resources degree, such as an MBA in human resources, helps teachers break into this field.
Marketing manager
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: Digital marketing director; brand manager; brand strategistImportant characteristics:
The ability to analyze and draw conclusions from dataStrong interpersonal and communication skillsLeadership and decision-making strengthsCreativity and an understanding of the product
Marketing managers research customer demand and competitor strategies. They create marketing plans for their organization’s products and services. Marketing managers also oversee staff who carry out the strategy. With a marketing graduate certificate, professionals may qualify for marketing roles in tech companies.
Technical writer
Minimum degree required: Bachelor’sAlternate job titles: Technical communicator; technical content creator; information developerImportant characteristics:
Strong communication skillsThe ability to explain complex information in simple termsExceptional writing abilitiesTeamwork experience and a detail-oriented outlook
Technical writers create supporting documents for product and service users. They write instructional manuals, create how-to guides, and communicate technical information to non-technical readers. In tech, they work closely with software developers and engineers to understand products.
Tips for how to get into tech from teaching
If you’re considering moving from teaching into tech, the following tips will help you launch your new career. Investing time early in the process will pay off in the long run.
1. Get clear on the type of tech role you want.
Before launching a tech career, consider which roles best fit your interests and abilities. Are you interested in working at a startup or a large company? What industry would you prefer to work in? And what kind of work/life balance do you want? Research tech salary ranges and learn more about the requirements for different tech jobs. Then consider where you might thrive in one of the many tech jobs for extroverts or work-from-home tech jobs.
2. Skill up
Gaining tech skills is a key step in getting into tech as a teacher. But how can you build tech skills? Consider online courses, coding bootcamps, and information technology certifications. While some roles, like computer scientist, typically require an advanced degree, many information technology careers hire candidates based on skills rather than majors. A teaching degree plus a coding bootcamp gives you the skills necessary for many tech careers.
3. Maximize the quality of your application and portfolio.
Applicants showcase their experience, strengths, and qualifications through a job application and portfolio. So spend time developing your resume, cover letter, and tech portfolio. Your resume should highlight your tech training and desirable soft skills. Consider a skills-based resume that includes your programming languages and highlights teamwork, self-motivation, problem-solving, and other top soft skills. Whether you’re interviewing for web design jobs or coding positions, your portfolio shows your qualifications to potential employers. Include sample projects that demonstrate your abilities. Consider hosting your portfolio on a website that includes your resume. Learn more about how to build a coding portfolio to stand out from other candidates.
4. Show your expertise, self-awareness, and passion throughout the interview process.
Teaching gives you many transferable skills. Make sure to showcase those abilities during the interview process. Highlight your strong communication and problem-solving skills. Draw on examples that show leadership and independence. And show passion for your new career path. In tech, companies typically begin with a phone screener. In the second interview, you may face technical questions or tests. Check out our phone interview tips and computer science interview questions for more.
In conclusion
Transitioning from teaching to tech can feel intimidating. If you’re wondering how to switch careers to tech, set aside time to research career paths, expand your skillset, and network. Tech companies need strong communicators and instructional specialists — and teachers bring unique strengths to tech careers.
This article was reviewed by Sarah Holliday, MS
Sarah Holliday has years of experience working with nontraditional and traditional-aged students in areas related to career coaching and training and development. Holliday holds a BA in English from University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an MS in instructional design and technology (training and performance improvement) from Walden University. Holliday is currently working on her doctorate and looks forward to dissertating in the near future. Sarah Holliday is a paid member of the Red Ventures Education freelance review network. Last reviewed March 16, 2022.
