Becoming a Project Manager: No Regrets for a New Chapter

“It’s given me my life back.”

Head of Drama Lauren loved many aspects of teaching but found that the out of hours working expectations were simply unsustainable, sometimes hitting 12 hours a day for 6 days a week! After taking a few months off to rest and have fun, she spent some time freelancing and then started her job hunt for a full-time role. 

Now a Project Manager for an education research charity, Lauren is enjoying a job that’s interesting, varied, and challenging in all the right ways. Since leaving teaching she’s revisited old hobbies, planned term-time holidays and is happy to leave work “at the door” at the end of each day.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Reframing skills with the help of the Academy
• Mentally preparing for an interview
• Trusting yourself 
• The day-to-day of project management
• Would project management suit you? 
• Top tips for pursuing project management roles
• Benefitting from a supportive community
• Committing to new things outside of work
• Getting excited about “whatever comes next”

If you're looking for step-by-step support to find and secure a new job or start your own business, check out the Adventures After Teaching Academy which will help you successfully leave the classroom! 

Looking for clarity & confidence around your decision to leave teaching plus ideas for what to do next? Our much-loved FREE Stay or Go? Workshop is back for 2026! Sign up here and we'll send it straight to your inbox on Saturday 4th April ✨