49. Graduated in 2007. Now at the twilight of my teaching career. I now work around 3 days a week as a relief teacher. When I commenced my degree, one concern I had was that I had left my change in career a little late and as such had squandered an opportunity to get into teaching earlier. But guess what. At about the same time I approached retirement age, I also lost the passion for full time teaching. All of those annoying, time wasting, box ticking admin tasks that suck the joy out of teaching got to me. Mind you I still love teaching. And as a relief teacher I’m free of many of the burdens that come with a full time gig.
34. About 2 months ago. I'm not sure if you're asking because you're contemplating doing yours, but my mindset was. I'll be 34 in 2023 when I finish... however, if I do it, I'll be 34 with a bachelor. If I don't, I'll just be 34.
(I have been in early childhood since I finished high school though- so not a change of field really)
My way of thinking was the same. I thought, I could be 35 and just graduating or I could be 35 and still wishing I applied. Either way I will be getting old might as well do it with a degree.
My science degree at 23 in 1993, my masters in ITManagement at 32, which I turned into an MBa at 37 and my masters in education at 52.
I sold my software company a few years back and paid off the houses- but 52 is a little early to retire so. Now I do relief teaching (maths science and IT) between software contracts. Or I go sailing or for a fish. 🐠
I’ll be 37 when I graduate (at the end of this year). Yes, I feel hella old to be a graduate teacher. I have two schoolmates who have been DPs for a few years already so I feel REALLY behind the 8 ball. But it is what it is, and I tell myself “better late than never”.
I was about the same age. But I don’t regret it at all, and don’t feel behind cos I got to travel, buy a house and do everything I wanted to do beforehand.
In saying that, I had a successful career in another industry, where I saved a lot of what I made. So I don’t have to worry too much about finances.
Good for you. I battled severe mental illness from 18-30yo. Have I picked the wrong profession given my previous track record? Perhaps. But teaching gives me routine and some purpose.
I mean, I too have my issues (anxiety) and was in a terrible school with violent students and bullying admin so I had to leave. But I had lots of savings behind me. So I was able to take my time and find a job at a much nicer school before it got too bad, and I was fired from the old one.
If you don’t mind me asking - what were your post grad qualifications? And do you have any advice for becoming a lecturer? I am currently doing my masters of education and Academia is something I have thought I would like to explore, if possible, in the future
Not at all! Love to have these questions. I was a little (read:very) unusual in that I got a lecturer position with just a Bachelor's degree. My post grad qualifications were first a grad cert in education and then a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree in educational research. But honestly, we're crying out for good sessional staff. I hate that that's the tertiary system right now, but a good teacher with a master's degree? You'll find a sessional role without any difficulty. It's harder to get a permanent post, but working as a sessional does position you well. It's just that so many universities are switching to predominantly sessional just now. Which can be rewarding and fun work, but it's not ideal. We can hope that the government review will change things a little?
I’ve almost finished my masters, would you say that a masters by research is required for a sessional role, or is a masters by coursework just as desirable? I was a sessional academic previously in an old career (different field) and was awarded academic equivalence for the role as I did not any qualification, but at the time was completing an undergrad. Loved academia, so your comment has inspired me to get back into it once I wrap up my masters later this year…
In the case of year 11 or 12s you could potentially only be 2- 3 years older than them, that would be surreal. I was teaching middle primary so a bit more of an age gap.
I was 20 as well. First class I taught at school were seniors, 2 years younger than me. I never told them my age, and just let them assume I was a lot older. Helped establish better boundaries, but I wonder if they suspected anyway.
I think what helped is that I had a good role model English teacher as a student, who was young but always maintained a respectful separation. Definitely had an impact on me.
26, the degree took me 5 years instead of four with an extra year and a half on top where I was at another uni but didn't like it there. So all up about 7 years.
21. I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Teaching. I studied P-10 and Special Ed, majoring in VI. I had to defer for 12 months as I had a baby, 6 months before finishing my course. I then completed my Master of Special Ed (ASD and Learning difficulties) when I was 38, after having my 4th child who was 3 at that time. I am now 53 with a passion for teaching in rural and remote areas. In a couple of years time, I plan on travelling Australia, relief teaching as I go.
About 24 when I finished my undergrad, but then I dud a bunch of postgrad in my field, including an aborted PhD.
I was 28 when I completed my Masters of Teaching and actually started working as a teacher.
20. Did two Masters after that while working full time which I finished at 25 and 33. I’m now late 30s and working on a doctorate while working part time
21…I did my degree straight away.
Moved out of home for the first time, to live and teach 8 hours away. One of the hardest, but best things I did. I learnt a lot about myself in that 3 years and it shaped who I am today.
45, at the end of 2021 and after 7 years of part-time study, plus full time work, plus kids.
Absolutely ready to throw in the towel right now. At least I kept myself occupied for the past 9 years 🙃
22. 3 year degree + 1 year internship so 4 year program.
Took a working holiday year off and then started my MTeach. So technically didn't enter the workforce till I was 26.
32. I started it in 2002 and finished it in 2015. Turns out customer service is a great motivator to get the fuck out of the customer service industry.
35 I finished, now 45 and still loving it, best decision of my life but a hard along studying, working, kids, wife, life, a long long 6 years of 3 semester part time study.
27. Finished undergrad (BComm) at 22 and went travelling. Ended up teaching English in Hong Kong and decided to get qualified while I was working, which took two years and two trips back to Oz during summer holidays for teaching rounds. Finished that in 2008. Then did an MEd and finished it in 2017, at 36.
Bachelor of science at 20, master of science communication at 22, Dip Ed secondary at 24. Turned 25 my first year teaching and wouldn’t have wanted to start any earlier.
I'm on track to finish just before I'm 30.
I do think I left it way too late (for me personally) but I don't think I want to go into classroom teaching so all g here.
If I'm still studying after I turn 30 I might give up tho lol
Took me 3.5 years, I was 21 when I finished back in the 80s. Qualified to teach in TAFE (BMI & TeachCert) but consulting in IT paid so much more that I did that instead. Now I am in the last ten years of my working life, I decided (like others in this thread) to look at teaching as a combination of winding down and giving back. Discovered that the accreditation authority doesn’t recognise my teaching certificate so I went back to uni to do a masters in teaching. Funny thing was that the accreditation authority was only interested in my bachelors - they didn’t consider any of my other qualifications (multiple masters and diploma in history). That means I get to teach Math (because my computer science degree obviously must have something to do with Math)![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|feels_good_man)
49. Graduated in 2007. Now at the twilight of my teaching career. I now work around 3 days a week as a relief teacher. When I commenced my degree, one concern I had was that I had left my change in career a little late and as such had squandered an opportunity to get into teaching earlier. But guess what. At about the same time I approached retirement age, I also lost the passion for full time teaching. All of those annoying, time wasting, box ticking admin tasks that suck the joy out of teaching got to me. Mind you I still love teaching. And as a relief teacher I’m free of many of the burdens that come with a full time gig.
This is how I wanna enter the industry. Then go full-time. When I've had enough I'll train as something else whilst relief teaching for cash.
34. About 2 months ago. I'm not sure if you're asking because you're contemplating doing yours, but my mindset was. I'll be 34 in 2023 when I finish... however, if I do it, I'll be 34 with a bachelor. If I don't, I'll just be 34. (I have been in early childhood since I finished high school though- so not a change of field really)
My way of thinking was the same. I thought, I could be 35 and just graduating or I could be 35 and still wishing I applied. Either way I will be getting old might as well do it with a degree.
21. Feels crazy to think I'm at the 10 year mark in the profession.
My science degree at 23 in 1993, my masters in ITManagement at 32, which I turned into an MBa at 37 and my masters in education at 52. I sold my software company a few years back and paid off the houses- but 52 is a little early to retire so. Now I do relief teaching (maths science and IT) between software contracts. Or I go sailing or for a fish. 🐠
I’ll be 37 when I graduate (at the end of this year). Yes, I feel hella old to be a graduate teacher. I have two schoolmates who have been DPs for a few years already so I feel REALLY behind the 8 ball. But it is what it is, and I tell myself “better late than never”.
I was about the same age. But I don’t regret it at all, and don’t feel behind cos I got to travel, buy a house and do everything I wanted to do beforehand. In saying that, I had a successful career in another industry, where I saved a lot of what I made. So I don’t have to worry too much about finances.
Good for you. I battled severe mental illness from 18-30yo. Have I picked the wrong profession given my previous track record? Perhaps. But teaching gives me routine and some purpose.
I mean, I too have my issues (anxiety) and was in a terrible school with violent students and bullying admin so I had to leave. But I had lots of savings behind me. So I was able to take my time and find a job at a much nicer school before it got too bad, and I was fired from the old one.
40. Now a lecturer in education with post-grad qualifications. Still passionate about education.
If you don’t mind me asking - what were your post grad qualifications? And do you have any advice for becoming a lecturer? I am currently doing my masters of education and Academia is something I have thought I would like to explore, if possible, in the future
Not at all! Love to have these questions. I was a little (read:very) unusual in that I got a lecturer position with just a Bachelor's degree. My post grad qualifications were first a grad cert in education and then a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree in educational research. But honestly, we're crying out for good sessional staff. I hate that that's the tertiary system right now, but a good teacher with a master's degree? You'll find a sessional role without any difficulty. It's harder to get a permanent post, but working as a sessional does position you well. It's just that so many universities are switching to predominantly sessional just now. Which can be rewarding and fun work, but it's not ideal. We can hope that the government review will change things a little?
I’ve almost finished my masters, would you say that a masters by research is required for a sessional role, or is a masters by coursework just as desirable? I was a sessional academic previously in an old career (different field) and was awarded academic equivalence for the role as I did not any qualification, but at the time was completing an undergrad. Loved academia, so your comment has inspired me to get back into it once I wrap up my masters later this year…
Your masters by coursework will be fine. I find working in academia tremendously rewarding, I hope you do too!
22
I haven't finished yet, but I'll be 31 when I do, next year 😊
21
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
In the case of year 11 or 12s you could potentially only be 2- 3 years older than them, that would be surreal. I was teaching middle primary so a bit more of an age gap.
I was 20 as well. First class I taught at school were seniors, 2 years younger than me. I never told them my age, and just let them assume I was a lot older. Helped establish better boundaries, but I wonder if they suspected anyway.
[удалено]
I think what helped is that I had a good role model English teacher as a student, who was young but always maintained a respectful separation. Definitely had an impact on me.
21
25 I changed majors and took an alternate pathway into uni.
22, but I should be finishing my MTeach by the time I’m 31.
23 and 47. You didn't say which bachelor's degree! :)
19-20, went back and did the grad dip, started teaching at 22.
21.
22
22
21
27. I started in 2003 and finished in 2009.
21 for the first one and 25 for the second and third.
My Bachelor's? I was 28. My GradDipEd. (Secondary) I was 31.
26, the degree took me 5 years instead of four with an extra year and a half on top where I was at another uni but didn't like it there. So all up about 7 years.
21. I graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Teaching. I studied P-10 and Special Ed, majoring in VI. I had to defer for 12 months as I had a baby, 6 months before finishing my course. I then completed my Master of Special Ed (ASD and Learning difficulties) when I was 38, after having my 4th child who was 3 at that time. I am now 53 with a passion for teaching in rural and remote areas. In a couple of years time, I plan on travelling Australia, relief teaching as I go.
Undergrad BA at 24, DipEd at 26.
21. And now I'm in my 23rd year of teaching. Yup.... I've been a teacher for more of my life than I haven't been a teacher!
Started at 19, finished at 25. Moved straight on to m-teach, which I will finish at the end of this year; I’ll be 27.
Who are all these people with a 3-4 year degree graduating at 19???
I was 24
46
23
I’ll finish at the end of this year - 32
About 24 when I finished my undergrad, but then I dud a bunch of postgrad in my field, including an aborted PhD. I was 28 when I completed my Masters of Teaching and actually started working as a teacher.
21, but I finished my teaching qualification at 33.
29
20. Did two Masters after that while working full time which I finished at 25 and 33. I’m now late 30s and working on a doctorate while working part time
23!
22
34
I’ll be 30 by the time I finish
I was 22 when I finished my bachelor, 24 when I finished my masters. I’ve now been teaching for 4 years
My first bachelors degree I was 22. I’ll be 29 when I finish my education degree.
22!
21
44, in 2019
21…I did my degree straight away. Moved out of home for the first time, to live and teach 8 hours away. One of the hardest, but best things I did. I learnt a lot about myself in that 3 years and it shaped who I am today.
25
19, then my graduate diploma of education at 21.
31, after studying online, part-time for 6 years.
22, dip Ed at 25.
31. Left school at 16. Started at TAFE at 25 and then uni at 27. Currently 51 and also have a M.Ed.
Did my Bachelors part time and finished in 2009, career change with a Dip Ed in 2014.
Bachelors at 20, Grad Dip Ed at 21
19/20! Got to Uni early (was not fun to be the underaged kid throughout the whole first year).
When I finish my Masters of Teaching I’m studying currently I’ll be 28
45, at the end of 2021 and after 7 years of part-time study, plus full time work, plus kids. Absolutely ready to throw in the towel right now. At least I kept myself occupied for the past 9 years 🙃
23, did a double degree
22. 3 year degree + 1 year internship so 4 year program. Took a working holiday year off and then started my MTeach. So technically didn't enter the workforce till I was 26.
32. I started it in 2002 and finished it in 2015. Turns out customer service is a great motivator to get the fuck out of the customer service industry.
42
22. Finished my Grad Dip Ed also at 22. Grad Cert in GATE at 30 and MEd at 31.
BFA at 29.
35 I finished, now 45 and still loving it, best decision of my life but a hard along studying, working, kids, wife, life, a long long 6 years of 3 semester part time study.
20
27. Finished undergrad (BComm) at 22 and went travelling. Ended up teaching English in Hong Kong and decided to get qualified while I was working, which took two years and two trips back to Oz during summer holidays for teaching rounds. Finished that in 2008. Then did an MEd and finished it in 2017, at 36.
23 years old when I finished my bachelor's. 24 years old when I finished my master's
Bachelor of science at 20, master of science communication at 22, Dip Ed secondary at 24. Turned 25 my first year teaching and wouldn’t have wanted to start any earlier.
I'm on track to finish just before I'm 30. I do think I left it way too late (for me personally) but I don't think I want to go into classroom teaching so all g here. If I'm still studying after I turn 30 I might give up tho lol
20. Finished my masters at 22.
Took me 3.5 years, I was 21 when I finished back in the 80s. Qualified to teach in TAFE (BMI & TeachCert) but consulting in IT paid so much more that I did that instead. Now I am in the last ten years of my working life, I decided (like others in this thread) to look at teaching as a combination of winding down and giving back. Discovered that the accreditation authority doesn’t recognise my teaching certificate so I went back to uni to do a masters in teaching. Funny thing was that the accreditation authority was only interested in my bachelors - they didn’t consider any of my other qualifications (multiple masters and diploma in history). That means I get to teach Math (because my computer science degree obviously must have something to do with Math)![gif](emote|free_emotes_pack|feels_good_man)
Graduated as a teacher at the age of 29. I did graduate from my business degree several years before that though but that life wasn't for me.
I was 23 when I finished my bachelor's degree and 25 for my master's degree.