Life After K-12 for Retiring Educators Seeking New Careers: A Harsh Reality for Some — Success for Others. What’s Your Fate?

A Harsh Reality for Some - Success for Others. What's Your Fate?

With the average retirement age in our school systems between 55 and 57, most departing educators face nearly a decade before reaching national retirement age and full Social Security eligibility. On top of that, Social Security access for educators varies widely depending on the state(s) in which they worked.

As a result, many K-12 professionals pursue second careers—driven by either financial need, personal passion, or both.

But here’s the reality: too many are unprepared for the transition.

Below is a sobering look at where 10 former school and district-level leaders ended up post-retirement. These are real stories. Names have been changed to protect their identities.

The Stories Behind the Stats

Many of these talented educators once earned six-figure salaries and carried responsibilities equivalent to private-sector C-suite leaders. They hold advanced degrees—Ed.D., Ph.D., or Master’s degrees—and have spent decades serving our schools.

1. Dr. M (retired Superintendent):

"I started out doing door-to-door insurance sales and didn't want to tell anyone that I was a former Superintendent … I was offered an Interim Admin role but I didn’t want to go back to working full time …"(Currently in MLM Insurance Sales) MLM = Multi-level marketing

MLM, is a business model where individuals sell products directly to consumers, often through personal networks, and also earn commissions on sales made by people they recruit into the business - Google

2. Dr. W (retired Assistant Superintendent):

"My bank account is overdrawn and I’m nearly bankrupt. I wish I would have found you first before investing my money in this … [consulting program]."(Independent Education Consultant)

3. Mrs. M (retired Principal):

"I’ve hit rock bottom. My credit cards are maxed out. I have no money in my bank accounts… I’ve been crying all day."(Retired in 2018 – currently in MLM product sales)

4. Mr. R (former Principal):

"I’ve been in real estate for a few years, sold a house, tried bartending for a few days… maybe I’ll be a mailman."

5. Dr. T (former Principal):

"I’ve never applied for a job outside of the schools. Not really sure... You don’t know what you don’t know…"(Retired from one district, now on medical leave from a second)

6. Dr. H (retired Instructional Coach):

"I’m now a substitute teacher making $20 an hour, working five days a week… I need another job for at least six years."

7. Dr. D (former Dept. Chair):

"I thought with all my experience, a doctorate, and working internationally, employers would jump to hire me… maybe I’ll just live in my RV, travel the world… I feel like I’ve disappointed my family…"(Currently an adjunct at a community college)

8. Dr. S (retired Department Chair):

"I’ve applied for jobs and my only offer was with a tutoring company for $12 an hour… I feel deflated."

9. Mr. D (former Principal):

"I don’t know what my career options are, so I’ve gone back into the classroom and am teaching again."

10. Mr. C (former Principal):

"My car was repossessed; I don’t have $20 to my name… pray for me…"(Independent Education Consultant)

"Retired Educators are the forgotten workforce…I now qualify for all of the food banks and Obamacare (health-care) for low-wage earners." - Mr. J.

I mop floors at my church to earn extra income - (Anonymous, 2024)

But there IS better news. Educators have also succeeded with planning and access to the RIGHT information.

✅ Check out where other educators who successfully transitioned landed. See below👇🏽

First, What Went Wrong For Many of Educators Listed Above?

Despite their experience and qualifications, many educators do not have access to customized career transition readiness support nor resources designed for education professionals.

Career Transition Readiness (CTR)

The strategic guidance, resources, knowledge and skills to pivot and effectively navigate new and different job markets.

Unfortunately, countless educations have been falsely assured that their years of leadership and classroom experience coupled with advanced degrees would automatically translate into career transition success and lucrative private-sector career opportunities.

But the truth is:

✅ The hiring process in the private sector is not the same as in education.

✅ Building a consulting business is not as simple as just launching a website

✅ A successful transition requires different tools and strategies.

✅ Despite living a fiscally responsible life, your retirement income may not be

enough to live financially secure and live the rest of your years with peace of

mind.

(Note: This is not an endorsement of any of the companies listed above or vice versa)

In many instances, educators that struggle to transition do not have access to the guidance or resources necessary. Others take the leap operating under false assumptions because many educators are too embarrassed to share the truth about their struggles with transitioning.

Sadly, too many of the nation's educators suffer in silence, withdraw, feeling humiliated or lost and plagued with self-doubt after failing to land the next career opportunity of their dreams.

BUT, it's often NOT their fault.

Are you one of them?

Don't blame yourself. Success is still within your reach.

Check out the successful transitions of some of the educators below.

These former educators landed roles like:

🍎Assessment Design Consultants

🍎Systems Analysts

🍎Learning & Development Senior-level Managers

🍎Account Executives, etc.

🍎Education Policy Advisors

🍎Professional Learning Facilitators

🍎Senior-level Implementation Management Consultants

Etc.

🍎🍎🍎 There are over 60 (yes 60) high level, high purpose, high earning education careers outside of the school system and beyond academia, across 10 different industries (within the private sector) that are in so many educator's reach, RIGHT NOW. But the majority of educators are unaware of what they are or where to find them. So, they feel forced to settle for less.

Enhancing your CTR skills and learning how to navigate a new job market is mission critical.

If You’re a Retiring Educator—Read This Before You Leap

Sadly, many educators (from teachers to school and district-level leaders) approach their post-K-12 careers using the wrong strategies.

1. Using the same academic résumés - which are not properly aligned or designed for the private sector and corporate education consulting careers. Many resumes are also missing key information ❌

   
   

   Quick question: Does your resume include a career objective section? Did you know those are now OBSOLETE in many industries - replaced with Professional Branding Statements and Career Summary sections.

   
   

2. Relying solely on those online job postings. ❌ Did you know that nearly 60% are unadvertised to the general public? (There's another key area to locate job openings that most educators miss.).

   
   

3. Assuming that multiple degrees and certifications win interviews. So, we pile and overload the top section of our resumes with multiple college degrees, credit hours earned, certifications, awards, etc., assuming that it will give us a competitive edge ❌. Credentials are important, but one must be strategic when determining how, what and where to list them.

   
   

4. Using LinkedIn in a manner that is misaligned to their current stage of career transition. ❌ If you don't have private industry experience, you should be using it a bit differently than individuals that do.

   
   

5. Etc.

These strategies often fall short in a competitive, fast-moving, private-sector job market.

Others, desperate for a new career or consulting opportunity, fall prey to various get-rich-quick schemes. The emotional toll is real:

“I thought with all my experience, a doctorate and working internationally, employers would jump to hire me… maybe I’ll just live in my RV, travel the world…”

“My car was repossessed… I don’t have $20 to my name…”

“I’m nearly bankrupt … I wish I would have found you first before investing all my money in this _______ consulting program”

You Can Succeed!

Not every educator struggles. In fact, many have made extraordinary transitions—without getting another degree, taking more courses, or starting over at an entry-level career.

Here are just a few examples:

• Kim transitioned to a Director of Education Partnerships in the private sector.

• Mrs. L transitioned to a Senior Customer Engagement Manager at a leading global EdTech Literacy firm (and was HIRED in 30 days).

• Pat transitioned Assessment Design Consultant (hired over 60+ applicants).

• Steph -  Learning and Development Senior Manager for a Fortune 500 non-k12 company

• Cheryl - Math Products Engagement Manager

• Vicki - Account Executive in the private sector, earning six figures.

• Jacquelyn – Systems Analyst

• Etc.

  
  
  
  

What Made the Difference?

These educators all leveraged career transition resources designed specifically for the K-12 sector by professionals who understand both education and private industry.

They didn’t settle. They sought guidance from trusted career transition advisors—people who had walked the path themselves.

You Are Not Alone. And You Are Not Unqualified.

If you’ve felt stuck, lost, or defeated—don’t blame yourself. And don’t give up.

Educators have some of the most highly transferable and high-impact skills in the workforce today but it's knowing how to leverage them, etc.

To thrive in a new space and your next chapter, you need a new strategy.

Next Steps:

If you're preparing to leave the K-12 system, or already have, here’s what to do:

1. Seek out CTR-focused support. Look for advisors or firms with proven success in transitioning educators.

   
   

2. Avoid defaulting to “obvious” paths like tutoring, adjunct roles, real estate, retail, corporate trainer, food delivery and transportation providers, interims and subs, OR MLMs—unless it’s your passion.

   
   

3. Don’t assume you need another degree. Most successful transitions don’t require one.

   
   

4. Start with a plan. Get clear on your transferable skills, ideal roles, and job search strategies for the private sector. Get help.

   
   

You can do this.

We believe in your skills, your experience, and your value.

You Deserve Better:

Our nation owes it to our educators to support them as they transition into retirement.

BUT, until that day comes, take charge of your own journey.

Start with the right support. Whether it’s with us at Broils Consulting Group OR someone else—you don’t have to do it alone.

"Your time is limited, so please don’t waste it living

someone else’s life.

Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions

drown out your own inner voice…

You’ve got to find what you love.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life,

and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.

And the only way to do great work is to

love what you do.

If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.

You’ll know when you find it.

Don’t settle ..."

~ Steve Jobs

Stay Safe. Stay Inspired. Stay Awesome.

Broils Consulting Group

The Educators Career Transition Experts

Transforming Careers ... Transforming Lives

© 2023 Broils Consulting Group, LLC