Change of any kind can be daunting. Nobody knows that better than Grampa Jack when he’s forced into his winter thermals by Granny Ina.
And if that change happens to be a seismic career shift it can affect your financial security, prospects and status.
But anyone making the switch to teaching in Scotland from another profession could see anxiety lifted with a golden hello in the shape of a £20,000 bursary.
There is a catch – there always is. You have to be teaching those hard-to-recruit subjects like science, technology, engineering and maths.
The offer is coming from the Scottish government, which is keen to bolster its teaching workforce by attracting professionals from other sectors.
And with one in three teachers now coming from different backgrounds, there are many reasons why becoming a second career teacher can be a great move.
Real world experience
If you were a trapeze artist in a previous life this might not apply but teachers who have experience in other careers can bring rich knowledge and skill sets to the classroom.
A former engineer, for example, could make a great physics teacher using real life examples in the classroom to help bring the subject to life.
A brand new you
Have you been stuck in a role that’s been driving you crazy or bored you for years?
Well, this is the opportunity to embrace something different. It’s likely to excite, energise and enthuse you.
Being in a classroom of teenagers can be pandemonium but it will make you feel more alive than any dull office.
A worthwhile vocation
It’s a cliché but it happens to be true: you will make a difference to someone else’s life. Is there a better professional buzz than that? You can also feel satisfied that you’re helping to turn out better educated, more thoughtful individuals.
A work-life balance
It’s no picnic being a teacher given the workload and extra-curricular activities but the hours are predictable and regular and this can be appealing. And do we need to mention the holidays? It’s a career that fits around family life far better than many other professions. Then there’s job security, good career progression on top.
Check out how you could change your career and your life with the latest Education vacancies at s1jobs.