Episode Transcript
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Coach Zee (00:00):
Hello teacher friends
, Welcome to the UX Teacher Prep
Podcast.
This is Coach Z.
Before we dive in today, I havesome exciting news.
If you're subscribed to thenewsletter, you'll already
receive this by email.
You can now join my premiumsubscription, where you'll get
access to a bonus Q&A sessionevery single month.
That means you'll get to pickmy brain and ask me anything, no
(00:22):
holds barred.
That means you'll get to pickmy brain and ask me anything, no
holds barred.
It's a fun way for us toconnect more personally, and
your support helps us keepcreating great content for
listeners like you.
We're getting close to ourone-year anniversary of this
podcast launch and I wanted tosay thanks for being a part of
this incredible journey with me.
I've reached so many teachersand so many even non-teachers
(00:47):
and helped people build thecourage to put themselves out
there and make a career change,and it feels just amazing.
Now let's get into today'sepisode.
Narrator (00:54):
Welcome to the UX
Teacher Prep Podcast, the
ultimate destination foreducators who aspire to break
into the field of userexperience and product design.
Your host, z Arnold, a 15-yearteacher turned UX researcher, is
here to guide, coach and mentoryou through every twist and
turn as you make your careertransition into tech.
If you're ready for a moresatisfying career and lifestyle
(01:17):
and you want the balance tounleash your creativity, this
podcast is for you.
Now for the show.
Coach Zee (01:39):
Okay, so I'm a senior
UX researcher in edtech and I
usually talk about transitioninginto UX careers like UX
designer, ux researcher, uxwriter, but lately I've been
speaking to folks who arewanting to move into other
career paths.
Some of them are not sure if UXis right for them, or they just
want to explore other things,and I think that's great,
because your skills as a teachertransfer to so many other
positions Besides.
The UX job market is prettyshaky right now and folks are
(02:02):
having a hard time transitioningover.
So I totally get it and, as youknow, a lot has been going on
in the workforce in the past fewmonths.
So I am here to tell you thatthere is still hope for you,
because the fact is thatcompanies still need to run.
So teaching isn't just abouteducation right.
It's about inspiring others,building relationships and being
(02:22):
adaptable in ways that cantransfer seamlessly into a range
of other industries.
When we think of teaching, wetend to focus on the subject
matter, but in reality, it's somuch more than that.
It's about understanding people, guiding them through
challenges and helping them grow.
And, believe it or not, theseskills can translate into a
variety of careers, from UXdesign to project management to
(02:44):
HR.
So today we're going to explorehow these hidden gems that you
already have as a teacher arenot only valuable in the
classroom, but in other careerpaths as well.
First, let's talk about somehidden teacher skills that you
might not even realize you have,but they are highly
transferable to other careers.
Two of the most powerful skillsthat you have are communication
and collaboration.
(03:05):
So in the classroom, you'reconstantly engaging with
students, tailoring yourapproach to meet diverse
learning needs, and you'reworking closely with your
colleagues, with parents, withadmin.
And this ability to communicateclearly, listen actively and
collaborate effectively itdoesn't just stay within the
walls of a classroom.
It's incredibly valuable incareers like UX, research, but
(03:27):
also design, project management,training and development right.
And then there's problemsolving and critical thinking.
As teachers, we analyze so muchdata, whether it's student
performance or behavioral trends, and we use that data to find
creative, very creativesolutions to learning challenges
(03:48):
.
So being able to adapt andthink critically under pressure
is a skill that translates intoevery single field when you're
tasked with improving processesor developing strategies.
Your ability to solve complexproblems can set you apart in
many industries, and I think weall know that teachers solve
(04:09):
hundreds of problems everysingle day, and let's not forget
about the most important one inmy opinion, which is leadership
and management.
As a teacher, you are a naturalleader.
You lead your students, youinspire, motivate and guide your
students towards success, butyou also manage a classroom
right Classroom management.
You organize lesson plans.
(04:31):
You work with differentstakeholders to achieve shared
goals within the school and thedistrict.
This level of leadership ishighly sought after in roles
like training and development,where you're supposed to be
leading teams and ensuring thatthere are effective learning
experiences for the employees.
So you have that leadership haton every time you step into the
(04:52):
classroom, and even when you'reworking on your lesson planning
and working at home, andwhenever you're doing your work
as a teacher, you are a leader.
Okay, now let's talk about somecareer paths where teachers can
truly shine, and I wouldn't bemyself if I didn't start with UX
, research and design.
I have to get this out of theway first.
Teachers have a deepunderstanding of human behavior,
(05:13):
learning styles and needs, andthis makes you uniquely
qualified to step into the worldof user experience, research
and design, which is where I amright now.
I'm almost three years into mynew career and it just feels
amazing to be able to transfermy teacher skills and seamlessly
work in this industry.
Okay.
So, understanding the needs ofusers is the core of your job
(05:35):
and user experience.
Your ability to conductresearch, gather insights and
create user-centered solutionsis directly aligned with your
work.
That you do as a UXprofessional, plus your
experience in simplifyingcomplex ideas and presenting
them clearly as a teacher, makeyou a great communicator with
users and team members.
(05:55):
So this is really my idealtransition.
So next is training anddevelopment.
As a teacher, you'reessentially a lifelong learner
and a facilitator of knowledge.
These qualities are criticalwhen you're transitioning into a
training role.
You'll be responsible forcreating and delivering engaging
training programs for adults,employees or leading workshops.
(06:19):
The ability that you havealready to break down
information, engage youraudience and foster a positive
learning environment it justmakes you a perfect fit for
training and development.
Now, I know a lot of peopledon't want to go into training
and development because in a lotof places there's a lot of
travel involved.
But if there's not and youdon't want to travel, it's a
(06:39):
good fit for you, and if youlove to travel, it might be a
great fit for you.
Next is project management.
As a teacher, you're alreadymanaging multiple projects at
once.
That's what teachers do Everyunit every school year.
Those are all projects, right.
You're lesson planning, you'regrading, you're meeting, you're
(07:00):
collaborating with otherteachers, you're planning
projects for the end of thesemester, your backwards
planning and looking atassessments.
All of that involvesorganization, time management
and working to achieve sharedgoals with your co-teachers or
your principal or whoever you'reworking with in your school.
Now, these skills are exactlywhat's needed in project
(07:20):
management, where you're workingwith in your school.
Now, these skills are exactlywhat's needed in project
management where you're going tobe leading teams, organizing
tasks, managing timeliness andin making sure that projects are
completed on time and on budgetand, as you know, as a teacher,
there's barely a budget and ifyou can do that, then you can
definitely work as a projectmanager.
(07:41):
Okay, I'm going to give youfour more careers that you can
transition into.
Next one is curriculum design.
So this should come as ano-brainer to you, right?
Teachers are naturallycurriculum designers.
You spend your years craftinglesson plans, adapting content
to meet your learners which isyour students right and ensuring
that the educational materialsare engaging and effective.
(08:04):
So, in the field of curriculumdesign, you would be applying
the same skills to developeducational programs, training
materials and resources forschools, or even for corporate
settings or online educationalplatforms, and so understanding
pedagogy, learning outcomes andthe nuances of student
engagement.
It gives you a distinctadvantage when you're creating
(08:25):
curricula that promotes deepunderstanding and skill
development.
So, as a teacher, your abilityto break down complex topics and
present them in a digestibleway is a crucial asset for
designing comprehensive andinclusive educational
experiences.
Next one education policy.
Now, if you have spent time inthe classroom, you likely
(08:46):
encountered the impact of policyon your teaching practice and
it's 2025, so I think we allknow how policy is affecting
teaching right now.
If you want to have a voice inthe education policy space, then
this is the career transitionfor you.
See, teachers have firsthandinsight into what works in
education and what doesn't,making them well-equipped to
(09:06):
shape policies that can improveschools, teacher development and
, of course, student outcomes.
You could work for governmentagencies, think tanks or
non-profit organizations, butyour understanding of how policy
directly affects the classroomadd that, with your
communication andproblem-solving skills, you will
be able to advocate forsystemic change In education
(09:29):
policy.
You would be involved inresearching, analyzing and
influencing decisions thataffect the educational landscape
on a larger scale.
So if that sounds likesomething you're interested in,
definitely look into educationpolicy.
Next one is college professor.
So for those of you who stilllove the world of academia but
(09:50):
want to step into a morespecialized role, becoming a
college professor or an adjunctcan be an excellent path for you
.
Teachers already possess thefundamental skills that you need
to succeed in higher education,like effective communication,
engagement strategies and apassion for helping others learn
.
So as a college professor, youwould not only teach, but you
(10:15):
would also contribute toacademic research, curriculum
development and the mentorshipof students pursuing their own
careers.
So your background in adaptingto diverse learning styles and
leading classroom discussions isgoing to serve you well in this
dynamic environment of acollege or a university, where
fostering critical thinking andacademic growth is the most
important thing.
I will say that in someinstances, being a college
(10:37):
professor or adjunct professormight not pay as much as some of
the other fields, but if you'repassionate about this, I say go
after it, even if it'spart-time.
And the last one I want to tellyou about is a career in
business with an MBA.
I know some people are leavingteaching and they still have
that desire to get anothercertification, another degree,
so that's why I'm throwing thisone in there.
(10:58):
So for teachers who are lookingto make the leap into business,
open your own business or justwanting to have that business
acumen, pursuing an MBA can be apowerful way to gain that
additional experience that youneed to thrive in the corporate
world.
Of course, this is going toinvolve money.
Most programs are not free, butyou can find free or subsidized
(11:19):
MBA programs.
So a lot of the skillsdeveloped in teaching are
directly transferable tobusiness roles.
It could be managing teams,organizing projects, leading
initiatives.
Those are all transferable.
Teachers are already good atcommunicating, negotiating and
decision making, and those areall essential for success in a
business.
So if you earn an MBA, you gaina deeper understanding of
(11:42):
business strategy, finance andoperations, which will
complement your leadership andproblem-solving experience, and
so this combination puts you ina good position for roles like
management, human resources,consulting or entrepreneurship,
where you can lead teams, youcan drive growth and you can
apply your educational expertisein new and innovative ways.
(12:04):
All right, so we're wrapping uphere.
I know you're probablywondering how do you make the
leap from teaching to one ofthese exciting new careers, and
it starts with building yourbridge.
So let's talk about someactionable steps that you can
take to successfully transition.
First, leverage your expertiseon your resume and in your cover
letter if you're writing onehighlight the transferable
(12:29):
skills that you have developedas a teacher.
Make sure they match the rolethat you're looking for.
Be specific and talk about howyou've worked with diverse
groups, solved complex problemsand led teams, because that's
what employers want to see.
I do have an episode about thisand you can check that out in
the show notes.
Next, network and connect.
The world is full of people whowere once in your shoes and
(12:50):
have successfully made thetransition to a new career, like
myself, right.
So attend industry events,reach out to professionals in
your target field and buildrelationships that could lead to
new opportunities.
I do have an episode on this aswell, and I will link that in
the show notes about networking.
And finally, seek outmentorship.
Find someone who's walked thepath that you're considering and
(13:13):
ask them for guidance.
A mentor can provide valuableinsights, introduce you to new
contacts and offer advice on howto make the transition as
smooth as possible, because theyhave been there.
Now, before we wrap up, let'stalk about embracing your future
.
As a teacher, you have a wealthof skills that can propel you
into new and exciting careerpaths.
(13:33):
Don't limit your potential.
I know this podcast is abouttransitioning into UX, but I
know also that there are so manyother careers that you can
transition into.
So be confident and be bold andtake the first step towards
something new.
The skills that you honed inthe classroom are extremely
valuable, and there arecountless opportunities out
(13:54):
there waiting for someone likeyou to take them on.
So, no matter what career pathyou choose, know that your
future is bright.
Your teaching experience hasequipped you with the tools you
need to make a difference in anew field, and I really believe
that.
So take what you learned, applyit and go make an impact.
Thank you for listening to thisepisode and we'll talk soon.
Narrator (14:19):
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(14:39):
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Until next time, be well.