Primary Teaching as a late vocation

Hi there.


I am canvassing opinion from those of you who may know regarding primary teaching. I am a 35 year old male. My working life so far has been in IT. I have recently moved to the civil service but I hate it so far. The work is pretty boring and leaves me cold and I am quite down about it. Its not in IT, thought I might like the career change, not so. I was in touch with my old boss yesterday who would have me back and am considering it.


My dream job would be primary teaching. This has been nagging me for 10 years now.


I have been weighing up the Hibernia Course as a semi part-time option. I however have a wife and 2 little ones so it's not a simple decision. My wife works part-time as they are young. I am frantically scrambling around for guidance on if it’s a crazy thought to try and do this course and work part-time. Are the job prospects just too prohibitive? I am in the west and would commute 90 mins e/w if necessary. I have been given various indications good and bad regarding being a male and the job prospects. I am actively involved in coaching in a few sports, Bord na nOg of GAA club etc. I love working with the little ones. Have volunteered for the Junior Achievement program in previous jobs, loved it.


Should I forget it or not?

If you can both keep things going financially, you should do it. Does your IT background mean that you can generate a part-time income to support your studies?

I would love to have been a teacher as it happens!

The idea of following one's dream is generally met with unqualified approval , such approval is not necessarily rational.

So , yes I think you are too old , have too many familial obligations allied to the fact that a huge amount of newly qualified teachers are forced to emigrate for full time positions.

Finally given the fact that you have become so rapidly disenchanted with your current job could the same apply to teaching ?

A 90 min e/w commute seems crazy (to me anyway). I guess that your age is against you but your gender is for you; it may be a pipe dream. If it was me I'd reset my view of the new job and stick it out for a year before switching anything up. By then if I hadn't warmed to the new job I'd look for another job. I wouldn't go back to the old job.

Have to agree with Deise and Michael here. You need to give the new job at least a year imho before you decide whether you want to move on or not. You might just settle into it and see some good points in it and whatever you do I don't see the point in going back to the old job.

I'm 34 and moved jobs 3 years ago, from private IT work into non-private IT work. I am now moving back to my previous company. Time away made me realise what a good company it was and we met up and worked out going back. Nothing to say you cant go back to old job either, if thats what you want.

However, I don't think teaching route is a very good idea. You have too many committments and may well end up unemployed at the end of the course.

Focus on load kids sports teams etc if thats what you like doing in spare time.

Lots of schools employ contractors for "specialist" classes like art, dancing, drama, sex ed and (possibly) computing.
If it's viable, it could scratch the itch to be a teacher without the big up-front time investment in a postgrad course. All you'd really need to start would be garda vetting, some good lesson plans and a principal willing to give you a shot.

While you're deciding/investigating, you could drop a business card around to local schools - start a little side gig working on their computers. Would give you lots of exposure to schools and teachers, help you to learn a little more about the scene.

SCurry said:

My working life so far has been in IT. I have recently moved to the civil service but I hate it so far. The work is pretty boring and leaves me cold and I am quite down about it. Its not in IT, thought I might like the career change, not so. I was in touch with my old boss yesterday who would have me back and am considering it.

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Totally respect the sentiment and the desire to exit a boring job. Life is short and no way should you be afraid to make a change. From previous experience I can tell you that a boring job has a negative effect on your whole life. However in line with responses from other posters you need to use the head as well as the heart in making any life changing decision. There are plenty of opportunities in IT which are not boring and you already have the skills and experience to look at a change that challenges you in that sphere.

From family rather than personal experience I can state that primary teaching is an extremely difficult course and at 35 you would be entering a profession where there are big competitions for jobs. The Hibernian course is fine but is well down the pecking order when decisions on teaching positions are being made. As per other responses there are a large number of opportunities to get involved peripherally with children in the education or sports sphere. This way you could get the best of both worlds without burning any bridges.

Thanks for the replies. I'm really struggling in the new job. Thought I'd adjust much better. Whilst there were some days when I didn't exactly 'love' what I was doing in IT I didn't have this dread in the pit of my stomach which I have literally had since I started a few weeks back in the CS. I was generally happy enough. I haven't been able to sleep well the last few nights and its affecting my mood greatly.

On the teaching yes it's been a regret of mine I didn't do it 10 years ago. I might well be able to do IT contracting part-time and try the course. I already do some for a couple of schools and already know some principals.

Brendan you say that Primary Teaching is an extremely difficult course and the Hibernian is well down the pecking order. Are you a teacher or have family involved?

If you can make the economics work, you should look to do what you will find most rewarding. One of the overarching aims of my life is for my children to be able to do what they actually want to do.

SCurry said:

Brendan you say that Primary Teaching is an extremely difficult course and the Hibernian is well down the pecking order. Are you a teacher or have family involved?

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Have a daughter that qualified! She has always had a teaching vocation and while she enjoyed the training she found it very tough! The Hibernian comment comes from her earlier interest in that programme. She was advised by some principals that this qualification would result in her being placed lower in the pecking order when job applications were being considered. Nothing scientific about this so you should do your own investigations. Try to locate some recent (preferably mature) graduates through sources such as Facebook/other and obtain full information before making any decision.

I was in the same position as you 10 years ago, took the plunge, and it worked out for us, but we've had some tough times. I spent the last two years looking out the window of an office in Mount Street, thinking "I don't want to do this any more....".

First off, make sure you want to do this. Contact a school principal you are acquainted with, and ask them if you can come in some day and observe what it is like to teach children. Any eejit can read a textbook with a child, teaching them how to learn is much more challenging. I had not stood in a classroom for nearly 25 years, and it was completely different to what it was like in my day. Make sure you see a junior class, senior class, and a special needs/resource teacher in action. If it's a DEIS school, you'll get a real flavour of what the job is really like. It might change your mind if it is not for you!

Get involved with your GAA club, get garda-vetted and then start helping out with under 6 children on Saturday mornings, football/hurling/camogie. This will always look good on the CV, and the GAA is a great community of people to be involved with.

Ensure you have have all the qualifications - I had to repeat the leaving Irish to get the honour, and then had to apply for the post-grad. Hibernia was €9K at the time - think it's €12K now, and non-refundable. I went for full-time post-grad in a training college, as I'm not a visual learner. I looked for a career break, but when they refused me, I cleared out my desk and left. I managed to secure a grant, and my fees were paid. We remortgaged the house at a time when the banks were dishing out money. This might not be an option for you if you are far from a primary teaching college - they are in Dublin, Limerick and Maynooth.

Expect a tough interview in both Irish and English when you apply for the grad dip. I do not know of anyone who has applied for Hibernia and not been offered a place. The course is now 2 years, and includes a 3-week placement in the Gaeltacht. Do you have the support of your extended family be away for 3 weeks? And to be able to get time for assignments/study?

NB: make sure you get a Certificate in Religious Education (Catholic). Most schools are vested in the patronage of the local RC bishop, some are insisting that you have this when applying for a job. There was an issue with the Hibernia cert, not sure if this as been resolved? You may not get a job in certain diocese without it.

There is lots of work on the east coast, especially the commuter belt, not so easy in the west. Every young teacher wants to be based at home, and not all of them play intercounty camogie, play piano to grade 9, and have toured with Riverdance, but that is what some principals are looking for. Have a thick skin, and don't open your mouth about other schools when in staffrooms. Teachers marry teachers, and have teachers who are sons and daughters, get to know as many local principals as you can, and be as helpful as possible, never say a bad word about another school.

Being male helps, as does making sure you have go to mass each week and have your parish envelope in the plate. Do not be a teacher if you want to get rich. In my seventh year as a teacher, I am only now earning what I earned when I jacked in the private sector. During that time, I had a pay cut, and a pension levy imposed on me. I was lucky I got in before the new pay structure was introduced, but even now, we qualify for a GP visit card.

It's the best job in the world, my only regret is that I did it at 37, and not 27.

Good luck with your decision.

Thanks Joe for that. You are very similar to me in many ways which is good to read.

Few things there I am already doing, I'm chairman of our Bord na nOg in the GAA club and manager of the U12s as it stands. I love it. I have played and coached both soccer and GAA since I could walk.

I actually go to Mass every week and always have done so no issue there. Re the Gaeltacht yes no problem I am blessed with great family.

I also have to redo my hons Irish, I got an A in pass in 1999, dropped out of hons late on as thought I wouldn't ever need it. Can't put an old head on young shoulders. My teacher at the time tried her best to keep me in hons. Wish I listened.

I only have a small mortgage of 504 a month (west coast) so if I was able to get some grant assistance I would manage. I'm not going to get rich in either IT or the CS where I am now. I don't need to be rich, I'd like to be happy.

I'm thinking probably the most risk averse option is possibly do 15 months in the CS and try and do my hons Irish next June. Then start the Hibernian and apply for career break to complete it. If it all goes belly up I can go back to this drudgery.

I know it's not Primary school teaching but what about lecturing in the computing faculty in Sligo IT ? You have the experience in the private sector and probably a CS degree/qualification?

Just doesn't interest me P and they're looking for Masters degrees now minimum far as I know which I don't have. I have spoken to a teacher this evening who gave me encouragement. Said stick at the CS job. Do the Irish. At that point I'll either sink or swim. Hibernia my only option location wise so I'll start that and apply for a career break after the initial phase to complete it. She has a colleague who did the Hibernia working with her now. If I fail the Irish or the Hibernia I can always fall back into the CS job.

I have 30 odd working years left and at least I'll not be forever wondering.

I got offered a job subbing as a teacher the week I started my current job. Had I been offered it a week earlier I'd probably be a teacher now! I always wonder what life would be like if I'd gone that route. 30 years is a long time to plod along in a job you don't like... Best of luck whatever you do.

SCurry said:

Just doesn't interest me P and they're looking for Masters degrees now minimum far as I know which I don't have. I have spoken to a teacher this evening who gave me encouragement. Said stick at the CS job. Do the Irish. At that point I'll either sink or swim. Hibernia my only option location wise so I'll start that and apply for a career break after the initial phase to complete it. She has a colleague who did the Hibernia working with her now. If I fail the Irish or the Hibernia I can always fall back into the CS job.

I have 30 odd working years left and at least I'll not be forever wondering.

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You are being hugely optimistic , you are not going to get a career break after such a short time working in the Public Sector - you will be at the bottom of any waiting list.
You have to repeat honours Irish & then qualify as a teacher whilst supporting a family .
I can only reiterate- you are not going to get a career break after such short service.

The Swot Analysis:-

Strengths:- Desire to work with children and to teach. Small mortgage. Experience of the real world.
Weaknesses:- Must complete Leaving Cert Hons Irish. No chance of a Career Break. Some Time off on Nil Rate-of-Pay a possibility. Less family time.
Opportunities:- Reasonable happiness, Longer holidays, shorter working days. Better salary. Perhaps more time to work in IT as an extra?
Threats:- Fail Hons Irish. Little or no time to study etc. Reality of gulping savings.

Just a Point:- Several here are getting hung-up on the Career Break issue. If SCurry goes ahead with his plan I suggest he uses his annual leave, flexi-time, week-ends, spare time to be managed towards his goal. Put GAA/Soccer commitments on hold for the duration. These can be reactivated later and perhaps the sporting organisations will appreciate him more. Family life cannot be ignored and lots of support will be needed here from each family member.

Go for it, we come this way only once.

Right. Pretty devastating news to be honest re the possibility of time off. I was naive hoping I suppose because it played into my aims. I'm pretty devastated typing this as I felt the career break was like a parachute for me if the Hibernia didn't work out. It's too much of a gamble to resign position. 30 years of drudgery awaits.

Depending on how small the smallies are parental leave might be an option.