8 answers
RC
Student
Chattanooga, Tennessee
1
Question
Updated
1607 views
Which career would be the best for a public school teacher to transition to - technical writing or corporate training I am about to retrain for one of these paths. I specifically need to know which one is easier to break into and also which one is most stable in light of AI becoming so prevalent. Thanks in advance for any advice. #technicalwriting #corporatetraining?
Which career would be the best for a public school teacher to transition to - technical writing or corporate training?
I am about to retrain for one of these paths. I specifically need to know which one is easier to break into and also which one is most stable in light of AI becoming so prevalent.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
#technicalwriting #corporatetraining
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8 answers
Samantha Mascary
Office Management
2
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hi RC! I think the easier route would be corporate training. You already have so many skills as a teacher that lend to being able to be a dynamic corporate trainer. I'd imagine that as a public school teacher you've had to come up with creative ways to keep your students engaged and for corporate trainings it would be the same! Many corporations are looking for ways to teach their workforce different skills and help them develop throughout their career. There are also companies who hire third parties to lead those sessions so this could be an opportunity for you to also become an entrepreneur as well. Good luck on your journey!
Dakota Taylor
College student
6
Answers
Laurel, Maryland
Updated
Dakota’s Answer
Which is easier to start?
Technical Writing is often easier to get into. It mostly requires good writing and research skills, which teachers already have. You might just need to learn a bit about the tech or industry you want to write for, like software or healthcare.
Corporate Training needs strong presentation and facilitation skills, which you have as a teacher. You might also need to learn about designing training programs or adult learning theory.
Which is more stable with AI?
Technical Writing can be influenced by AI tools that generate or summarize content. However, skilled writers who can explain complex topics clearly are still needed. AI can assist but not replace the need for a deep understanding and editing skills.
Corporate Training focuses on people skills, coaching, and live interaction—areas where AI struggles. This field might be more stable in the long run.
Final thought:
If you want to start quickly, technical writing is a good choice. If you enjoy working directly with people and training them, corporate training might be more fulfilling and secure as AI continues to grow.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your new journey!
Technical Writing is often easier to get into. It mostly requires good writing and research skills, which teachers already have. You might just need to learn a bit about the tech or industry you want to write for, like software or healthcare.
Corporate Training needs strong presentation and facilitation skills, which you have as a teacher. You might also need to learn about designing training programs or adult learning theory.
Which is more stable with AI?
Technical Writing can be influenced by AI tools that generate or summarize content. However, skilled writers who can explain complex topics clearly are still needed. AI can assist but not replace the need for a deep understanding and editing skills.
Corporate Training focuses on people skills, coaching, and live interaction—areas where AI struggles. This field might be more stable in the long run.
Final thought:
If you want to start quickly, technical writing is a good choice. If you enjoy working directly with people and training them, corporate training might be more fulfilling and secure as AI continues to grow.
Hope this helps! Best of luck with your new journey!
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
454
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Hi RC - I am a little sad that you want to leave public school education, but I do understand several potential reasons. While Monica and Karin have given you solid advice, and I could see a potential fit with corporate training, I have a slightly different perspective.
If I were you, I would look at what I really like and really dislike about teaching before choosing your corporate path. Then, I would compare those lists with current job descriptions for corporate roles to check how they line up. Why do this? If the interaction with learners is really important to you, corporate training might be a good fit, but lots of corporate training is done remotely now or via elearning. Between the expense of in-person training and how widespread many teams are (especially since COVID), the amount of in-person training is going down. Make sure that is okay with you before investing in that path.
If you really like writing, technical writing might be a good fit. You still work with others to do research and hone drafts, and you learn a lot about various products. But another option might be. Instructional design, a part of corporate training, Look at the ATD link below for more about different training roles.
It is difficult to say which of the two professions is more stable. AI is affecting both but AI doesn't have values or judgements; it makes guesses based on patterns. So AI can help with research and drafts, but cannot replace humans completely in either. The Bureau of Labor Statistics may have more on the prospects for various jobs.
Be aware that both fields may be vulnerable when that company's numbers or the general economy goes down. In those times, jobs that directly make money, such as Sales, are prioritized. As far as I know, there are no unions for corporate trainers the way there are for teachers. So be aware that you could be laid off without cause and just a couple of weeks of pay and benefits. While potentially a little discouraging, I hope this is helpful - good luck!
Assn. for Talent Development - https://www.td.org/
If I were you, I would look at what I really like and really dislike about teaching before choosing your corporate path. Then, I would compare those lists with current job descriptions for corporate roles to check how they line up. Why do this? If the interaction with learners is really important to you, corporate training might be a good fit, but lots of corporate training is done remotely now or via elearning. Between the expense of in-person training and how widespread many teams are (especially since COVID), the amount of in-person training is going down. Make sure that is okay with you before investing in that path.
If you really like writing, technical writing might be a good fit. You still work with others to do research and hone drafts, and you learn a lot about various products. But another option might be. Instructional design, a part of corporate training, Look at the ATD link below for more about different training roles.
It is difficult to say which of the two professions is more stable. AI is affecting both but AI doesn't have values or judgements; it makes guesses based on patterns. So AI can help with research and drafts, but cannot replace humans completely in either. The Bureau of Labor Statistics may have more on the prospects for various jobs.
Be aware that both fields may be vulnerable when that company's numbers or the general economy goes down. In those times, jobs that directly make money, such as Sales, are prioritized. As far as I know, there are no unions for corporate trainers the way there are for teachers. So be aware that you could be laid off without cause and just a couple of weeks of pay and benefits. While potentially a little discouraging, I hope this is helpful - good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
721
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi RC,
With your background, I would pivot to corporate training. You already have the skill set and experience for teaching, albeit younger people. You "just" need to find the right industry to work in. Consider getting a certification for corporate training and use the resources of professional societies.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-corporate-trainer
https://www.ibct-global.com/
https://www.coursera.org/courses?query=corporate%20training
With your background, I would pivot to corporate training. You already have the skill set and experience for teaching, albeit younger people. You "just" need to find the right industry to work in. Consider getting a certification for corporate training and use the resources of professional societies.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice. I was starting to lean toward tech writing, but after reading the responses to my question and looking at potential growth for each field, maybe I will pivot to corporate training instead.
RC
Vartika Vats
Consulting
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Vartika’s Answer
I will say corporate training. Definitely look into getting additional certificates related to corporate training and then apply for jobs.
Marielle Calease
Senior Manager and Executive Coach
3
Answers
Evanston, Illinois
Updated
Marielle’s Answer
Hi RC,
I see some key differences between the jobs you've listed. As a school teacher you're dealing with young people; as a corporate trainer you're dealing with adults; and as a technical writer you'll likely be working on your own, possibly somewhat isolated. Maybe think about it from that perspective: who do you enjoy spending most of your time with? Are you energized by working with and teaching people, no matter what age? Then I'd say explore corporate training. If you're more interested in individual research and the heads-down work of technical writing, then that might be better.
Another way to look at this question: What does your perfect day look like? Take a moment to write it down in detail, from morning to evening, and see what comes up. It might answers some of your questions for you.
Best of luck!
I see some key differences between the jobs you've listed. As a school teacher you're dealing with young people; as a corporate trainer you're dealing with adults; and as a technical writer you'll likely be working on your own, possibly somewhat isolated. Maybe think about it from that perspective: who do you enjoy spending most of your time with? Are you energized by working with and teaching people, no matter what age? Then I'd say explore corporate training. If you're more interested in individual research and the heads-down work of technical writing, then that might be better.
Another way to look at this question: What does your perfect day look like? Take a moment to write it down in detail, from morning to evening, and see what comes up. It might answers some of your questions for you.
Best of luck!
Kelsey Lietzen
Learning and Development Manager
1
Answer
Madison, Wisconsin
Updated
Kelsey’s Answer
Hi RC,
I was a public school teacher who transitioned to corporate training. If you haven't yet, look into instructional design or learning and development programs/certificates. I successfully transitioned out of teaching through earning my M.Ed in Curriculum and Instructional Technology (emphasis in Instructional Technology) and then learning what companies/organizations had learning teams (most of them do!) and I networked my way into my current organization. I currently am in learning development, specifically managing an ethics mandatory e-learning portfolio. This means I collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning gaps and design e-learning that meets requirements/policies for various audiences, design the script, and manage the development, testing, and deployment (done by other teams) of the courses.
Regarding AI: I've heard other instructional designers say that while AI might not replace our jobs completely, someone who knows how to use AI will. So really, it's important to know how to leverage AI in whatever industry you want to transition to. In e-learning, a lot of AI right now is being used to develop videos and content. I've used an internal GenAI tool to help me develop scripts, brainstorm course theme ideas, rephrase technical/policy language to be more accessible. But a lot of instructional design/learning and development requires stakeholder management, including collaboration on design and content and risk reviews to ensure that the content is appropriate for the audience and doesn't pose risk to the organization. I am curious to see if/how AI would replace that part of the job in the future. But the design part--yes. That's already happening.
Transitioning from teaching is possible, and I think getting more training/education will give you an advantage over other candidates. It did for me! I also cannot express enough about the importance of networking. Find people in the industries/companies you're interested in, and get on calls with them for you to learn, but also for them to learn about you. It's a helpful strategy!
I was a public school teacher who transitioned to corporate training. If you haven't yet, look into instructional design or learning and development programs/certificates. I successfully transitioned out of teaching through earning my M.Ed in Curriculum and Instructional Technology (emphasis in Instructional Technology) and then learning what companies/organizations had learning teams (most of them do!) and I networked my way into my current organization. I currently am in learning development, specifically managing an ethics mandatory e-learning portfolio. This means I collaborate with stakeholders to identify learning gaps and design e-learning that meets requirements/policies for various audiences, design the script, and manage the development, testing, and deployment (done by other teams) of the courses.
Regarding AI: I've heard other instructional designers say that while AI might not replace our jobs completely, someone who knows how to use AI will. So really, it's important to know how to leverage AI in whatever industry you want to transition to. In e-learning, a lot of AI right now is being used to develop videos and content. I've used an internal GenAI tool to help me develop scripts, brainstorm course theme ideas, rephrase technical/policy language to be more accessible. But a lot of instructional design/learning and development requires stakeholder management, including collaboration on design and content and risk reviews to ensure that the content is appropriate for the audience and doesn't pose risk to the organization. I am curious to see if/how AI would replace that part of the job in the future. But the design part--yes. That's already happening.
Transitioning from teaching is possible, and I think getting more training/education will give you an advantage over other candidates. It did for me! I also cannot express enough about the importance of networking. Find people in the industries/companies you're interested in, and get on calls with them for you to learn, but also for them to learn about you. It's a helpful strategy!
Stephanie Griffis
Growth and Development
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Stephanie’s Answer
Hi RC,
I think this depends on what you are more passionate about. Are you strengthened/energized by interacting with people? Then, perhaps corporate training is the right track for you. However, keep in mind that corporate training looks different for every organization. Some may offer in person training, others may offer virtual training, others may want you to curate/develop learning. So, it's important to do your research and don't be afraid to ask during an interview what a typical day in the life looks like.
If you're strengthened/energized by editing writing, grammatical reviews, and limited human interaction, then technical writing may be the way for you. Some food for thought, I think technical writing might be something that can be pursued as a part time contractor, so perhaps you could do both?
I hope this helps. Wishing you all the best on your career transition!
Best,
Stephanie
I think this depends on what you are more passionate about. Are you strengthened/energized by interacting with people? Then, perhaps corporate training is the right track for you. However, keep in mind that corporate training looks different for every organization. Some may offer in person training, others may offer virtual training, others may want you to curate/develop learning. So, it's important to do your research and don't be afraid to ask during an interview what a typical day in the life looks like.
If you're strengthened/energized by editing writing, grammatical reviews, and limited human interaction, then technical writing may be the way for you. Some food for thought, I think technical writing might be something that can be pursued as a part time contractor, so perhaps you could do both?
I hope this helps. Wishing you all the best on your career transition!
Best,
Stephanie