Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

11 year teacher checking in. Feel really burned out and thinking about quitting. But the thought of finding a job with no real job experience and most likely having to take a massive pay cut is a deterrence. Haiz, the teaching salary is a handcuff of sorts.

The pay cut is real unless you go for tuition job. However, try to apply for HQ or cross ministry work during OPE and gain some experience. After that, you can try to hop easier.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

11 year teacher checking in. Feel really burned out and thinking about quitting. But the thought of finding a job with no real job experience and most likely having to take a massive pay cut is a deterrence. Haiz, the teaching salary is a handcuff of sorts.

Agree with the above commenter that you can explore work in other areas of the civil service. Your experience as a teacher will mean that the civil service culture won't be a huge culture shock to you wherever you go (although still need to deal with bureaucracy and red tape la..) You can go to HRP and browse the "Internal Job Search" listings. Converting to certain schemes may still lead to a small pay cut, but it won't be as drastic as starting out afresh outside.

Originally Posted by Qoooo

Hmm I stayed in the same school for 7 years because I am a person who does not like change.
I decided to leave this year by NPL method because the work environment was too toxic and took a toll on my health. About 9 to 10 teachers quit their job/ transferred out this year.

I don't aspire to climb the ladder and would rather stay in the teaching track.

I have a female colleague who worked for 8.5 years before she was promoted to geo 4.

By taking care of your own health, you and your colleagues have done the right thing. Don't torture yourself by staying.

As for taking longer to promote...I'm sure it's very common these days already. So if you're looking for greater growth, try to hop to somewhere with better work life balance.

By the way, NPL helps? I thought you'll still be stuck in the same place when it ends?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Agree with the above commenter that you can explore work in other areas of the civil service. Your experience as a teacher will mean that the civil service culture won't be a huge culture shock to you wherever you go (although still need to deal with bureaucracy and red tape la..) You can go to HRP and browse the "Internal Job Search" listings. Converting to certain schemes may still lead to a small pay cut, but it won't be as drastic as starting out afresh outside.

does this only apply for between ministries, or does it also include transfers to stat boards

Originally Posted by Unregistered

11 year teacher checking in. Feel really burned out and thinking about quitting. But the thought of finding a job with no real job experience and most likely having to take a massive pay cut is a deterrence. Haiz, the teaching salary is a handcuff of sorts.

Upskill yourself, go for work attachment (take advantage of that)

Changing job doesn't necessarily need to take a steep paycut

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The pay cut is real unless you go for tuition job. However, try to apply for HQ or cross ministry work during OPE and gain some experience. After that, you can try to hop easier.

I wouldn't suggest going to HQ for a person who's already feeling burnt out. That would just make it worse.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I wouldn't suggest going to HQ for a person who's already feeling burnt out. That would just make it worse.

Second this. A lot of teachers in school have the perception that HQ = office job = easier than school. Sorely mistaken. HQ officers are worked to the bone as well, just in a different way than in school.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Second this. A lot of teachers in school have the perception that HQ = office job = easier than school. Sorely mistaken. HQ officers are worked to the bone as well, just in a different way than in school.

Really? I had a very different experience in HQ. Work is always done ONLY during office hours and there is no such thing as OT. Also, you get regular lunch break. Furthermore, you’ll get lots of opportunities to go for PD in HQ. I find this a very balanced work life. The only difference is that the environment is more competitive because everyone is a good performer but the work isn’t more difficult than school or rather not more tedious than in sch. Also, no such thing as working on weekends. If u work OT or on weekend, u will get compensated with time off. So, why is HQ not better than schools?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Really? I had a very different experience in HQ. Work is always done ONLY during office hours and there is no such thing as OT. Also, you get regular lunch break. Furthermore, you’ll get lots of opportunities to go for PD in HQ. I find this a very balanced work life. The only difference is that the environment is more competitive because everyone is a good performer but the work isn’t more difficult than school or rather not more tedious than in sch. Also, no such thing as working on weekends. If u work OT or on weekend, u will get compensated with time off. So, why is HQ not better than schools?

Which division were you in?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Really? I had a very different experience in HQ. Work is always done ONLY during office hours and there is no such thing as OT. Also, you get regular lunch break. Furthermore, you’ll get lots of opportunities to go for PD in HQ. I find this a very balanced work life. The only difference is that the environment is more competitive because everyone is a good performer but the work isn’t more difficult than school or rather not more tedious than in sch. Also, no such thing as working on weekends. If u work OT or on weekend, u will get compensated with time off. So, why is HQ not better than schools?

You're right, but the previous commenter is also right. There is a large diversity in HQ experiences. You could be in a branch that brings out the best in you through respecting your needs, your work-life boundaries, your working style and your pace of growth. You could also be in a branch that is full of chiongsters that perpetuate a specific culture and make you feel left behind if you aren't married to your job and wear it like a badge of honour.

coughcoughHigherEdcough