Genesis of a Career Change

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 00:00:00 +0000

"It’s about time!", my friends will probably say.

If I stayed a teacher in the French National Education system for so long, it’s because I never really listened to them.

Since the goal of this post isn’t to share my 19 years of fascinating wanderings, I’ll just say that I chose teaching more out of pragmatism than passion. That, in itself, was a mistake.

So the time has come to leave teaching and turn to full-time software development. For now, nothing is set. I’m still in my job, grading papers, running classes… My colleagues, my superiors, and my students know nothing about my decision. Their time will come.

I intend to come here regularly to reflect, to share my thoughts on this transformation—both to help me formalize my own evolution and to give a hand to others who may be in a similar situation.

Here is the very first interim assessment of my process, in the form of observations that are also a bit of advice:

1. I gave myself time

This isn’t the first time I’ve had the urge to leave. In fact, less than a year ago, I had talked to colleagues about this need to go and started a few aborted steps.

My loved ones know that I’ve been thinking for years about changing paths. But deep down, I wasn’t ready. To those who say I waited too long, I would reply that I couldn’t leave without first resolving certain deeper and more intimate things.

2. I’m at peace with myself

This time, my departure is firm, because I know I feel ready.

I’m not slamming the door on the National Education system. I thank it for everything it gave me, but I know it has nothing more to offer. Continuing to teach would end up wearing me down and turning me into a bitter teacher—something I’ve always run from.

The steps ahead don’t scare me, because I feel ready.

Of course, there are still some big question marks, and they can cause stress. But fear? Not at all.

3. I have a plan that will succeed

I don’t know if this plan will unfold the way I imagine, or if it will take longer than I expect, but in my mind and in my actions, my project is set to succeed.

I don’t wonder if my project will succeed, I know it will.

Being in harmony with myself strengthens this deep conviction.

4. I have no regrets about leaving my old career

Unlike other times in my career when I considered leaving, I have now definitively let go of the teaching profession.

Obviously, I won’t miss all the negative aspects (and there are many!), but so many great things happen in a classroom, or even among colleagues… Those things are harder to leave behind.

Yet my new destination makes me forget those good things. I’m looking ahead!

5. I think about my well-being

In the past, I used to tell myself that the career’s stability and flexible hours suited me, and that my lack of fulfillment was secondary.

Wanting to provide for your family is a noble goal, but what kids want a dad who’s uncomfortable in his own skin, always searching, working late into the night to find meaning…

I’d rather offer them a fulfilled father.

In conclusion

Over the years, my discomfort at work became like second nature. It turned into a form of depression that quietly followed me, growing ever larger, day after day, term after term.

By finally recognizing this mental state, I was able to overcome it and stop watching my life go by without reacting.

If you’re thinking about a career change, I encourage you not to focus only on salaries or do a basic skills assessment. I encourage you to dig into the reasons that led you to choose (or not) your current profession and to seek support so you can find real peace amid the storm of change.

Feel free to comment if this message speaks to you.