From the classroom to the conference room: My journey from teaching to project management

For 18 years, I worked as a teacher. Excessive workload, poor leadership and the toll it was taking on my well-being led me to make a bold decision: transition from education into the world of project management. While both professions involve leadership, communication and a strong sense of organisation, the shift to project management offered a unique set of challenges and rewards.

The decision to transition

The decision to leave teaching wasn’t easy. I had built a career around educating others and felt a deep connection to my students. But over time, I found myself drawn to the logistical and organisational aspects of my job — planning lessons, creating curriculum, coordinating events and collaborating with colleagues. I realised that these skills, which had served me well in the classroom, were highly transferable to project management. The idea of working on larger-scale projects with diverse teams in a fast-paced environment appealed to my love for challenges and growth. 

To help me make the transition, I enrolled on the APM Project Fundamentals. Project management was already second nature to me — planning lessons, organising school events and managing student progress all required structure, adaptability and problem-solving. But while I had the skills, I lacked the professional terminology and frameworks businesses expect.

Studying for APM Fundamentals was a game-changer. I learned how to structure projects, manage risks and communicate effectively with stakeholders; all things I’d done in teaching but in a more intuitive way. Understanding project lifecycles, governance and methodologies like Agile and Waterfall gave me the confidence to apply for roles outside of education. Most importantly, having a recognised qualification on my CV made me stand out. Employers value structured project management knowledge, and the APM certification proved I was serious about transitioning.

Identifying transferable skills

One of the first things I learned when transitioning to project management was that many of the skills I developed as a teacher were directly applicable. These include:

Communication:

As a teacher, I communicated with students, parents and colleagues daily. Clear and concise communication is a cornerstone of project management as well, whether you're presenting ideas to a team, managing stakeholders, or ensuring the timely delivery of updates.

Organisation:

Teachers juggle multiple tasks at once, from assessing progress to preparing lesson plans to managing classroom behaviour. Similarly, in project management, staying organised is crucial for tracking progress, managing timelines and ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Leadership and teamwork:

Whether in a classroom or a project team, leadership and collaboration are essential. My experience guiding students toward their goals translated seamlessly into motivating a project team, providing support and fostering a positive, productive work environment.

Facing new challenges:

While many skills transferred easily, I encountered new challenges in the project management world. For one, the stakes were higher — the success of a project could impact clients, stakeholders and team members in ways that were different from the immediate feedback loop in teaching. Additionally, while I was accustomed to leading in the classroom, managing project teams with diverse expertise and personalities required a new level of adaptability.

Understanding project management methodologies, such as Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall, was also a steep learning curve. However, I took the time to study, observe others and gain certifications, which provided me with the tools I needed to succeed.

The reward of transitioning:

The transition from teaching to project management has been one of the most fulfilling journeys of my professional life. While I miss the direct interaction with students, the sense of accomplishment I get from managing a successful project is equally satisfying.

The work-life balance shift:

One of the biggest adjustments I had to consider when transitioning from teaching to project management was the difference in holidays. As a teacher, I was accustomed to enjoying long breaks (13 weeks a year) which, at first glance, seemed like a significant benefit over the standard 5 weeks of holiday in project management. However, what I quickly realised was that the nature of work in the project management world is different.

In teaching, while you get plenty of time off, the job is mentally and emotionally draining. The workday is non-stop, and the responsibilities often spill over into your personal life. On the other hand, the project management role, though demanding, tends to be less mentally draining on a daily basis. The work itself is more structured, and with better-defined boundaries, I no longer find myself carrying the weight of the classroom with me after hours.

This shift has allowed me to truly enjoy a better work-life balance. I now have all of my evenings and weekends back. My schedule is far more flexible, with the ability to use flexi-time to pick up my children from school and be there for important family moments. Working remotely has also become a huge perk, giving me the freedom to create a workspace that suits my needs. The best part? I’m not micro-managed. I have the autonomy to manage my time, prioritise tasks and work in a way that aligns with my personal life, without the pressure of constant oversight. In essence, while the time off may be fewer, the balance between work and personal life is something I truly appreciate in this new phase of my career.

Changing careers is never easy, but it’s often a path to personal and professional growth. For anyone considering a similar transition, I encourage you to reflect on your skills, your passions and your strengths. Whether you’re coming from teaching or another field, the skills you have developed can serve you well in your next role. Just like me, you might find that your greatest opportunities are yet to come. If you're a teacher looking to shift careers, I can’t recommend the APM Fundamentals enough. You already have the skills — this just helps you package them for the professional world!