This year’s job market has been bleak, to say the least. Layoffs hit the highest level in 14 years; job openings are barely budging; and quits figures are plummeting. It’s no wonder people feel stuck and discouraged—especially as many candidates have been on the job hunt for a year.
But some mid-career professionals are working with the cards they’ve been dealt by going back to school. Many are turning to data analytics, cybersecurity, AI-focused courses, health care, MBA programs, or trade certifications for an “immediate impact on their careers,” Metaintro CEO Lacey Kaelani told Fortune.
But while grad school can certainly offer the opportunity to level-up your career once you’ve completed a program, it comes with financial and personal sacrifices, like time. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, one year of grad school, on average, costs about $43,000 in tuition. That’s nearly 70% of the average salary in the U.S.
I was in the midst of a career change that I instigated myself with the blessing and support of my wife. I was substitute teaching while trying to break into the tech field and found that I actually loved subbing! So much so that I am more than halfway done with a Master’s program for Elementary Education.
There is a teacher shortage and I’m male, which is an underrepresented statistic in Elementary Ed, so I’m pretty confident I’ll land something. I’m taking a pay cut, but I enjoy the teaching and the positives it brings to children’s lives to have a good role model and someone that cares about them while being excited to explore new information.
i had aformer co-worker that did the reverse, she already had a masters in ED, but she couldnt land a good job with it, so she went into entry level tech/ or data during the pandemic.
her reasons is public districts, are shit pay and terrible contracts, and no choice of district to teach.