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Article from The Sunday Times, 11 Feb 2007
Is it too old to switch jobs at 30?
I am 30 and have been teaching English at a junior college for a year. I have basic degree in English Literature.
I have no complaints with my current job but I wish to teach at a tertiary institution or a polytechnic after I have served my bond.
It might be hard for me to move though, because I was trained in English Literature.
Recently, I developed an interest in business and am very keen to take up a part-time master’s degree course in either wealth management or finance. I wish I could pursue such a course further so as to teach business at a tertiary institution or polytechnic.
What are the requirements that I should possess so as to teach at a tertiary institution or polytechnic?
What other credentials should I obtain? Do I need relevant experience to teach business?
Is it too late to switch to another field altogether?
Paul’s response
Firstly, congratulations on your decision to choose teaching as a profession.
This will sound cliché but I feel it bears repeating – the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and you, my dear teacher, plays a key role in nurturing our future leaders.
If you can, try not see it as ‘a job’ – it is much more than that. It is an important assignment that you have been given the privilege to execute.
Coming back to the couple of areas you are seeking clarification: Going back to basics – having the knowledge and willingness to share does not equate with being able to teach.
Being able to impart knowledge effectively is an art. A great teacher, in my opinion, uses both his or her heart as much as the mind.
You must know this: Teaching a class of college students may not be quite the same as standing in front of a group of tertiary or polytechnic students.
You will have a different set of ‘customers’, and communicate at a different level.
Ask yourself these two key questions: “What are my motivations for wishing to teach poly or university students? Do I have what it takes to serve a different and probably more complex set of customers?”
Do reassure yourself that your motivations are the right ones, and that you will truly be ready when your current bond expires.
At the tender age of 30 plus, and having limited commercial experience, will you command the respect of the somewhat older and wiser students? Can you hold yourself well when asked questions that you may not necessarily have ready answers for?
Ideally, and perhaps as part of your own career development plans, you may wish to consider accumulating some commercial experience before returning to the lecture theatre.
The experience will give you the much needed credibility in front of your students.
Most tertiary and polytechnic institutions would prefer that you have at least a master’s degree, if not a doctorate.
The other important thing that you should continue to do is to read widely – and strive to be more worldly-wise.
Having knowledge on a variety of subject matters will definitely be helpful. These should include materials on business, economics, politics, culture, management, technology, leadership, sports.
On the issue of switching jobs, and considering just the age issue, the answer is a definite no, it is not too late.
And you do not need to pursue a career that is related to what you studied in the university.
Having had the pleasure of lecturing to and interacting with many undergraduates in Singapore, I can confirm that quite a large percentage of them have no clues what they want to do as their first job – and this is perfectly fine.
How many of us know what our careers will look like before we embark on our working life?
Many university students decide on courses/studies that seemed logical choices based on their college results. Some simply comply with their parents’ advice.
One’s career interests may change over time – and you did mentioned that you had recently developed an interest in business
This is why it is so important and necessary that you do a career audit periodically to make sure that your career interests have not taken a major shift.
If this happens, then it would be advisable that you refocus and rechannel your energy and efforts on building a new career. One final word of advice – when it comes to your career, always know where you are going. Good luck!
Paul Heng is a professionally certified executive/career coach. He is the founder of NeXT Career Consulting Group, Asia (www.nextcareer.net) and the author of “Jump Start your Career”.
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