Personal Finance: Ask the Experts: What can I do if I can't find a teaching job?

Personal Finance: Ask the Experts

Get advice on money matters from The Bee's Claudia Buck and a panel of local experts

July 30, 2012

What can I do if I can't find a teaching job?

Q: I got laid off from teaching and am subbing. Do you have any ideas for other careers I could get into with a teaching credential and BA in liberal studies? Subbing is not getting me very much work and I would like a full-time job. Any ideas or suggestions?
Zara, Auburn, CA

A: Those who can teach can also sell, compute, write, design, organize, market, advertise, run daycare centers, start community programs, set up business task forces, and lead community projects.

Effective teachers have organizational and administrative abilities, communication skills, leadership abilities, the ability to influence and motivate, as well as high levels of creativity.

You need to revise your resume, start networking and improve your interview skills to make them more appealing to other career areas. I would suggest that you get involved in a professional job search network called Auburn ProNet, which meets Wednesdays 8:45 a.m.-10:15 a.m. at the Auburn Connections Center, 1919 Grass Valley Hwy, Suite 100. ProNet provides members with assistance during their career transition by offering resources, skill training and opportunities to obtain successful employment.

Additionally, you might find this resource helpful: "A Kaleidoscope of Alternative Career Choices for Teachers: What Can I Do if I Can't Find a Teaching Job?"

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Claudia Buck is The Sacramento Bee's personal finance columnist. Read all her columns here. Contact her at cbuck@sacbee.com

Terri Carpenter

Terri Carpenter offers advice on job hunting, retraining and career counseling. Carpenter works at Sacramento Works Inc., the career and job training arm of the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA). With 15 years in the field, she has hands-on experience with everyone from first-time job seekers to career professionals seeking advice after a layoff or looking for a mid-career change. Ask her a question.

Carlena Tapella

Carlena Tapella is a partner in the law firm of Webb & Tapella Law Corp. in Sacramento. The firm specializes in estate planning and probate, such as estates, trusts, conservatorships and litigation. She is a past president of the Sacramento County Bar Association's Estate Planning & Probate Section. Ask her a question.

Kimberly Foss, certified financial planner, is the founder of Empyrion Wealth Management in Roseville. With nearly 30 years in the financial industry, her clients include women in transition, small business owners, retirees and "pre-retirees." Ask her a question.

Gregory Burke, a CPA and tax expert with John Waddell & Co. in Sacramento since 1984, worked as an IRS tax auditor for six years. He’s a past chairman of the California Society of CPAs. Ask him a question.

Daniel Tahara takes your questions about California taxes. Tahara, a spokesman for the state Franchise Tax Board, has 10 years of experience as a tax auditor. Ask him a question.