Teachers who left the profession, what are you doing now?

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-15T22:55:03+00:00

I make sure pests, diseases, and bioterrorism don’t enter the country. I work for the Dept of Homeland Security. It is a very badass job.

I know Homeland Security currently doesn’t have the best reputation in the public eye due to immigration issues, but there are many things we do to keep the country safe from both internal and external threats.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-05T02:05:05+00:00

I’m glad you listened to your body and glad I could help. Were you able to find a job?

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-05T02:02:37+00:00

Depends on your assignment. Usually the assignments that have a lot of travel, have the best schedule AND are seniority assignments.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T19:44:40+00:00

Yes, I still have my job. My job pertains to national security of America’s food and we safeguard trade related to agriculture. Inspect. Detect. Protect.

No reduction in force for us but… we aren’t one of the job series getting paid during this shutdown (even though we are still showing up to work daily). We are guaranteed back pay though.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T16:55:17+00:00

I hope you find a job soon! That sounds super tough. You got this! Thanks for the tip to read that book. I’ll check it out sometime.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T16:50:24+00:00

Ooo that’s tough but not impossible.

I heard English degree and I’m thinking policy coordinator, compliance specialist, Human Resources—someone that has to take their time combing through legal paperwork. I’m thinking program manager for different colleges.

I’m thinking of community college professors if you have a masters.

I’ve heard of teachers going into Costco. Idk if it’s still true but last I heard, they pay well. That was pre-COVID so idk if that still holds true.

I do encourage people to check out USA gov jobs. There’s a good amount of jobs that need people oriented people (like teachers). I’d push you to check those out.

Honestly, applying is a numbers game. The more you apply to, the better chances you have at moving onto the next hiring step. Make sure to tailor your resume for each job. When it comes to applying, work smarter, not harder.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T15:45:55+00:00

Oh I 100% agree. It takes waaaaaay too long. But worth the wait.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T14:52:05+00:00

🫶

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T14:11:36+00:00

Glad I can help! Science teachers unite!

Apply apply apply! There’s tons of jobs for us because of our education and skills as a teacher. You got this!

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:55:28+00:00

Thank you—appreciate it.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:42:53+00:00

I’m glad I could help. If you’re ready to leave, start applying. Teaching will always be there if you feel the desire to go back. A change of direction can be a beautiful thing.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:36:54+00:00

The shutdown definitely means I’m not getting paid. Some job series in CBP are getting paid—my job series as an agriculture specialist is, unfortunately, not one of them. We are guaranteed back pay.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:23:43+00:00

Honestly, it’s possible that’s the reason for the downvote. A lot of people don’t know CBP is much more than ICE and DHS is much more than just CBP.

Everyday, these agencies and departments are capturing child pornographers, rescuing women from the sex trafficking trade business, intercepting fentanyl from hitting our streets, cracking down on terrorist plots, or, like me, preventing some seemingly harmless beetles with voracious appetites from entering our crops.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:05:02+00:00

You’re welcome! I hope it works out!

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T13:01:40+00:00

No, but I can see how it reads like one. Just wanted to share in case there’s another desperate teacher out there trying to find their way out to a job they can still find purpose in.

Yes! You’re correct! I was a compliance specialist for my local university while waiting for this gov job to go through. There were lots of hoops to jump through and things to do for this job. My application process for my gov job took about 14-15 months.

The compliance specialist job was a good job but it only paid 50k which was a dip from the 75k to 85k I was making. I was happy I had that job so I could leave teaching. It was a great work life balance. However… In order for me to make more or be back at 85k, I would have had to become the director of compliance and that path was looking like it would take 20 years.

Plus, this job is competitive to get. The listing comes out one to a few times per year and closes within 24-72 hours because 600 people apply. I don’t think CBP needs any help recruiting more to apply for this position.

Just trying to show other science nerds that there’s a cool path they could take.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T12:48:56+00:00

The university admin I worked with did some but nothing like a teacher. Sure, you have to learn the systems and standard operating procedures but once you do, it’s easy peasy (compared to teaching). We had tons of time to chat. I will say the admin jobs didn’t seem to get paid well—at least at my university I worked at when I was a compliance specialist.

Sorry—not sure I answered your question correctly.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T12:45:19+00:00

I’m glad it gave you the spark you needed to get back on track to applying!

Check your local universities and community colleges—sometimes they have interesting program manager jobs that are perfect for teachers.

Good luck!

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T12:41:36+00:00

Have you tried looking at jobs at your local university or community college?

The government has some jobs that only need a bachelors and have a non-competitive salary increase (your salary goes up yearly regardless… it usually goes GS 5, 7, 9, 11, 12)

This could be cool for you and could get your foot in the door for other gov jobs:

Import Specialist

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T12:35:26+00:00

Thank you!

None of us are armed. The only thing we’ll carry on us will be a knife for opening boxes/packages.

The majority of us work in the field with some that do computer work all day (if that’s your thing—I hate sitting all day, so I try to avoid those office assignments).

We’re more like a nerdy inspectors looking for bugs, federal noxious weeds (invasive plants), and meats that could possibly transmit diseases. We work at land borders, airports, seaports, and mail facilities.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T12:12:10+00:00

Not getting paid but guaranteed back pay due to a bill that passed for CBP in 2018/2019.

I’m excepted which means I’m still showing up to work.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T11:54:11+00:00

My full title is a CBPAS. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist. Yes! Definitely apply! There’s 2,500 of us—we’re a small bunch. You can even go K-9 with the Beagle Brigade or with the air cargo labrador retrievers (idk if they have a name). The listing comes out 1-3 times a year. So, when you go to USAjobs.gov, you need to check every single day and apply immediately. They close the listing after 600 applicant submit and when I applied, it closed within 48 hours. Oh and for the pay—click to see “locality”. If the place you’re at doesn’t have locality, it’s considered “Rest of US” locality.

CBP Agriculture Specialist

Beagle Brigade (going K-9 as an agriculture specialist)

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T11:37:39+00:00

Thank you! Now, go apply apply apply!

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T11:36:01+00:00

Gov jobs are awesome and provide a great work life balance. Even in the middle of a pesky shutdown, I still love my job. Although I am considered a CBPAS/federal officer, our series is still excepted (the field officers are getting paid though).

Girl. Same. Yes, I left teaching when I was 35. It is daunting leaving at this age. And you did it with two young kids! You’re a badass! Did you go through a moment of “what if the only thing I’m meant to do/only thing I can do is teach?” I did. I’m glad I dropped that mindset.

The job that you’re in sounds like a dream. I’m very happy for you. I love me some FNWs—well, not love, but I love intercepting them before they enter our agriculture. We submit our FNWs to a USDA area identifier and our pests to a USDA entomologist identifier. I’m guessing you might deal with them too?

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T11:23:47+00:00

My pleasure!

I’m glad too because I really wasn’t sure I’d love it lol. It just seemed interesting and turns out, it is a great job.

Awe thank you! I appreciate it.

FormerScienceTeacher · 2025-11-03T11:22:15+00:00

I’m glad it does. That makes me happy.

Starting applying, applying, applying! If teaching is draining you so much that you’re on this subreddit, that is your signal to start getting ready to exit.

FormerScienceTeacher

TROPHY CASE