Every teacher considering a career change asks the big questions: "What's next?" and "Am I ready?" But the most critical question is often the most practical: "How do I actually do it?" Moving from the classroom to the corporate world requires more than a desire for change; it requires a strategic playbook.
In a recent episode of the Always A Teacher podcast, I spoke with Caelan Boone, a former secondary math and science teacher who is now a Customer Success Associate at Swing Education. Caelan’s journey is a masterclass in preparation, offering a clear, actionable guide for any teacher looking to translate their classroom experience into a successful corporate career.
Recognize Your Advantage: The Power of Teacher Soft Skills
Before learning any new corporate jargon or software, the first step is recognizing the powerful skills you already possess. Caelan emphasizes that teachers are masters of "soft skills"—the complex art of managing expectations, communicating with diverse groups, and training others. This isn't a minor point; it's the foundation of your value. The ability to understand individual needs and present information in a way that connects is the very essence of teaching, and it's a highly sought-after skill in the business world.
"Teachers have some of the best soft skills of anyone you're going to find... Anything from management of expectations to dealing with diverse stakeholder groups. We're dealing with our students, the parents, the staff, the superintendents... I think training is an area that I've really been able to embrace from teaching... understanding the needs of the individuals you're working with, looking for ways to connect with them... that's something very teacher driven."
Translate, Don’t Just List: Crafting a Corporate Resume
Perhaps the most significant practical hurdle for transitioning educators is the resume. A typical teacher's resume, focused on certifications and classroom duties, doesn't always resonate with corporate hiring managers. Caelan’s advice is direct and transformative: learn to translate your accomplishments into the language of business, focusing on actions and quantifiable results. This small shift in perspective can make all the difference.
"Learn how to translate your resume. It is a completely different world... You need to think about what are the actions you took and what was the result, and if you can quantify that result, even better... maybe it was something along the lines of, I created a new curriculum for my fourth grade class... The result was that I saw a 10% growth in reading scores over the course of the year. That's a translatable skill."
Do Your Homework: Build Your Technical Familiarity
While soft skills are your foundation, technical skills can be your differentiator. Caelan provides a brilliant, proactive strategy for any teacher in the "noodling stage." Instead of waiting for an interview, start analyzing job descriptions for roles that interest you. Take note of the software and technical skills mentioned repeatedly—like CRMs (Salesforce) or advanced Excel functions—and use free resources like YouTube to build a baseline familiarity. This demonstrates initiative and shows a potential employer you are serious about hitting the ground running.
"Look for some of those technological side of things... start to take note of those, maybe write down some of the programs that in roles that sound interesting and fun to you, you see mentioned again and again, and then do your homework. Start researching that. YouTube is a wealth of information... get yourself a little bit of a familiarity there... what's really going to set you up and above there is going to be able to have some of that technical knowledge."
Listen to the Full Conversation
Caelan’s journey is filled with practical, strategic advice that demystifies the process of moving from education to EdTech. Her insights provide a clear roadmap for preparing yourself, presenting your skills, and making a successful transition.
Listen to our full conversation on the Always A Teacher podcast to hear more.
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