"I'm never going to get my shot to leave teaching."
Read this on my website.
The Challenge We’re Solving Today
You’ve been in teaching for years, and it’s starting to feel like a trap. You’re ready for something new—corporate training, instructional design, project management—but fear keeps nagging:
What if I can’t get out?
What if no one sees my potential?
What if I’m stuck here forever?
That fear is heavy, but here’s the good news: it’s also your biggest motivator. Instead of letting it overwhelm you, use it to take control.
Today, I’ll show you one thing you can do right now to start your exit—and position yourself for the career you deserve.
Why This Matters to You
Fear of being stuck isn’t just frustrating—it’s paralyzing.
I've gotta tell you...
No one is going to “discover” your talent or hand you a roadmap.
You need to take specific, intentional steps to show employers how your skills can solve their problems.
The first place to start?
Updating your LinkedIn profile so it signals exactly what you’re ready for.
With the right headline, recruiters and hiring managers will see your value instantly—without you having to explain it.
Common Solutions and Why They Might Not Work
When teachers try to leave the classroom, they often:
- Keep “Teacher” in their headline (which doesn’t communicate where they want to go).
- Send out dozens of generic résumés without first aligning their online presence with the roles they want.
- Wait for the “right” opportunity to find them (this never works—you have to make yourself discoverable).
These approaches fail because they don’t solve the core issue: your LinkedIn profile needs to reflect where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.
A Better Approach for You
The easiest way to make progress today?
Fix your LinkedIn headline to position yourself for the job you want.
A great headline does three things:
- Shows how you help people or organizations.
- Lists 2–3 hard and soft skills relevant to your target role.
- Communicates your value in a clear, measurable way.
Here are examples for popular fields:
LinkedIn Headline Examples
For Learning & Development Roles:
- "I Help Teams Thrive Through Effective Training Programs | Learning & Development Specialist | Leadership, Communication, Curriculum Design | Empowering Teams to Upskill Fast."
For Instructional Design Roles:
- "I Help Simplify Complex Ideas Into Actionable Learning | Instructional Designer | E-Learning, Storyboarding, Curriculum Design | Creating Engaging Training for Results."
For Corporate Training:
- "I Help Teams Master New Skills | Corporate Training Specialist | Facilitation, Communication, Curriculum Development | Delivering High-Impact Workshops."
For Project Management Roles:
- "I Help Teams Execute Projects Seamlessly | Project Coordinator | Organization, Collaboration, Deadline Management | 100% On-Time Delivery Rate."
For Customer Success or Operations Roles:
- "I Help Clients Achieve Their Goals with Clear Strategies | Customer Success Specialist | Relationship Building, Problem Solving, Communication | Increasing Retention by 20%."
Quick List: Other Things You Can Do Today
Once your headline is updated, keep building momentum with these actions:
- Hire a career coach to get clarity and an actionable transition plan.
- Take a course that lays out your pathway from here to your new job.
- Craft a skills-based résumé that highlights what you bring to the table.
- Research job titles like Learning & Development Specialist, Corporate Trainer, or Customer Success Manager to match your skills with market demand.
- Reach out to former teachers who’ve transitioned successfully to learn how they did it.
Each step reinforces your momentum and gets you closer to freedom.
Summary
- The fear of staying stuck in teaching is real, but it’s also your motivator.
- Your LinkedIn headline is the quickest way to signal your readiness for a new role.
- Use the examples above to update your profile and make yourself visible to recruiters.
Want to Dive Deeper?
Feeling stuck doesn’t have to be your story. My Elevated Careers Career Change Accelerator gives you the tools to position yourself for the career you want—so you can finally leave teaching behind.
Your Next Steps
- Update your LinkedIn headline with one of the examples above—or use them as inspiration to create your own.
- Pick one additional action from the Quick List to keep building momentum.
- Take action today. Right now.
Your skills are valuable. Please don't play small.
Make sure the world knows who you are.
Steph Yesil
Find me on LinkedIn, Get My Career Change Kit, or Book a 1:1 Call