Career Pivot Strategies: Transitioning from Corporate Jobs to Teaching Abroad
London, 2025. Mark is at the top of his career in the corporate world. He’s not the CEO of a successful startup or the director of a multinational company; he’s the personal assistant of a big hot-shot attorney. In other words, Mark isn’t the engine, but the oil that keeps the engine running. It’s a pretty crucial role, I’d say. As the saying goes, ‘with great power comes great responsibility,’ and Mark has plenty of it. He is proud to go the extra mile for his boss and doesn’t shy away from after-hours tasks.
At first glance, Mark seems happy. He has a long and promising career ahead of him, a boss who appreciates his work, and colleagues who respect him, as well as a generous salary, enough to make anyone fulfilled, but not Mark. Something tells him that’s not who he is and that life doesn’t belong to him. He doesn’t want more; he wants less, if anything. He certainly wants something different.
Does this somehow resonate with you? You might not have a successful career right now or live in a big city, but you might be searching for something meaningful that makes you feel like you’re making a difference. You’re not alone!
Why do people leave corporate jobs?
Mark’s feeling of disconnect is part of a larger global trend. For many, the shiny exterior of corporate life is starting to crack, revealing a sense of dissatisfaction and a desire for a more genuine lifestyle. Here are a few reasons people are swapping their ID badges for their passports.
Burnout and Blurred Boundaries. The 9-to-5 has become a 24/7 cycle of emails, notifications, and performance stats. This relentless pressure leads to chronic stress and exhaustion, draining every bit of energy left in their bodies.
Lack of deeper meaning. Many corporate roles, while important, can feel shallow and pointless. Pushing papers doesn't always provide the same sense of purpose as seeing a direct, positive impact of your work on another person's life.
Feeling trapped. The rigid hierarchy, goal-oriented performance, and slow pace of change in large organisations can feel stifling. The generous salary and benefits - the so-called golden handcuffs - can make it impossible to leave, even when deeply unhappy.
Global shift. In the last five years, a growing cultural change has guided people towards concepts like slow living, cultural exploration, and careers driven by passion and purpose rather than just profit. In fact, reports have found that 40% of workers globally are considering leaving their jobs in the near future, with many mentioning a search for more fulfilling work.
What is the appeal of teaching abroad?
For those tired of living in the corporate world, teaching abroad represents everything their current lifestyle is not: the unknown, a sense of adventure, the discovery of something new: culture, places, people.
Teaching abroad offers a different kind of reward: you can immediately see your positive impact on someone’s life. As English retains its first place as the common language in fields such as technology, media, and business, an increasing number of people worldwide choose to learn it as their second language to improve their work conditions.
Living in another country also lets you truly experience a new culture and is a chance for true personal growth. Instead of just passing through as a tourist, you become part of the local community, learning the language, making friends, and understanding daily life from the inside—all while pushing the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Is teaching abroad right for you?
Teaching abroad sounds exciting and could be, without a doubt, one of the most life-changing experiences you’ll ever have, but it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. Before making big decisions, take a moment to reflect and decide if it’s right for you. Take a look at this (helpful but not complete) checklist to guide you:
Do you enjoy explaining things to others patiently and more than once?
Can you keep your cool in unexpected or unpleasant situations?
Are you willing to take a pay cut from your corporate salary?
Do you believe personal growth and meaningful experiences are more important than status or job titles?
Certain personality traits really help in this kind of work:
Flexibility is important because not everything will go as planned.
Curiosity helps you enjoy learning about new cultures.
Resilience is necessary because being able to cope with ups and downs will help you keep going when things get tough.
How do you get into TEFL?
Are you ready to make your foreign adventure happen? Let’s make a plan:
Choose your destination wisely. Don't just pick a country from a postcard. Research the cost of living, visa requirements, cultural norms, and the demand for English teachers. Do you want the vibrant energy of a big city in Spain or the tranquil nature of a village in Thailand? Do you prefer the modern, fast-paced lifestyle of South Korea or the laid-back, community feel of Costa Rica?
Get certified. Finding a secure job as a teacher of English as a foreign language without any suitable qualification is no longer an option. But don't worry if you don’t have a degree in education or languages, you don’t need one. Most beginner teaching jobs just require a TEFL or TESOL certificate, which you can earn in a few weeks either online or in person. Look into beginner-friendly TEFL courses. An in-person course can offer valuable hands-on teaching practice, while an online course provides flexibility. This certificate is your key to unlocking job opportunities worldwide.
Identify your transferable skills. Many skills from corporate jobs are useful in teaching. Communication, time management, and problem-solving all help in the classroom. Being organized, meeting deadlines, and working with different people are valuable too. If you’ve led meetings or trained others, that’s teaching already! These abilities make the shift to TEFL smoother.
From boardrooms to classrooms
A career change is a huge step in everyone’s life at the best of times; even more so when it involves leaving everything you have always known behind and moving abroad, where places, people, and culture are so different and unfamiliar. But that’s exactly what you’ve been looking for, right? A new adventure that pushes you to know who you really are and what you are capable of, while leaving a positive mark on society through your work.