From Hospitality to Education: Don’t be Scared Just Do It
Many of us, at least once in our life, have the desire to change our careers. However, when you spend many years in the same field, it is hard to change to another for various reasons. Mostly it's that your mindset is orientated in a certain way. The idea of change completely seems to be impossible and gives you a feeling of uncertainty but the benefits of undertaking such a big step can be plentiful. I'm here to give you some tips and encourage you to make this huge step.
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Hospitality? Never again.
I worked in hospitality for almost 12 years. It was a fun career at the beginning. A chef or a waiter is like an artist, it's a passion and you produce something for people that makes their day simply by letting them eat food or serving them. When a customer leaves happy or your manager appreciates your job, it's a great feeling.
However, this job in the long-run often makes you wonder if it is the kind of life you want to continue because it's so fast-paced; you have to think, walk, talk and plan fast and when you work fast, it's difficult to see things clearly. Adding to that the fact that you often encounter difficult customers, you work long hours, and it all becomes stressful and frustrating. That's why I decided to change my career.
I Did It: a Dream Come True
I couldn't believe I did it! The change from hospitality to education was the biggest step I have ever made in my professional life. I never thought about becoming a TEFL teacher. It was always something too far from what I expected to do but I was presented with this opportunity and I didn't think twice and I just took it.
Working with little kids can be stressful, especially if it is your first experience, but once you learn the basics of managing a class, it will get easier. Teaching children also reduced the stress I felt in my life. You just go to your students and they will make you forget the pressure.
The routine of a teacher is also very different from a waiter or chef. You have more time to plan your day, work fewer hours, and can relax more in-between classes.
Also read: The 10 Best EFL Teaching Destinations for LGBTQ Teachers
Tips and planning
Before you switch careers, it's imperative that you properly plan such a big move. Before I quit my hospitality job, I took some time off and went on a trip to break the routine. This allowed me to calm down and see my next step more clearly.
Once you are refreshed, start thinking about how you can use your skills in another industry. If you were a manager in hospitality, like me, it will be a plus in the education field because you know how to manage people and can therefore also manage a classroom.
You may consider working abroad as your skills might not be required in your country but somewhere else. The main suggestion, based on my experience, is to be positive, persistent, and not giving up if the change doesn't happen quickly.
Lifestyle Improvements
When you start to work as a TEFL teacher, you will realize how much free time you have compared to hospitality. At the beginning, you may not be able to enjoy it fully. That's why I recommend taking a TEFL course to understand more about the job of an EFL teacher.
Once you feel more confident, you can look at your schedule and will see how much free time you have and how steady your routine is allowing you to plan your life more clearly. Most of the schools are closed during the bank holidays so imagine spending Christmas and Easter holidays at home with family and friends. This is very rare when you work in hospitality!
Also read: The 10 Best Cities in Japan for Teaching English
Are you ready to take this huge step?
For me, becoming an EFL teacher was a huge step. It made me grow as a person and I learned something new. If you feel like you are stuck in your job and want a change, I highly recommend taking a TEFL course as there are many opportunities around the world that allow you to teach abroad.
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