This is a good thread.
I am making a career change from airline pilot to primary school teacher.
visuals_rule's comments about family life strike a chord with me. My primary motivation for the career change is to get rid of the nightmare of random, exhausting and socially destructive airline rostering. The final straw with my last 'employer' was when they refused to be even faintly co-operative in letting me arrange leave for the birth of our child.
I have been dissatisfied with the profession for some years. Other issues really grated with me. The chronic instability - two airlines have gone belly up on me causing a lot expense. Other 'employers' have caused me expensive and anti-social bases changes. Finally, there is a lot of pressure to cut corners these days. The last straw was when my chief pilot gave some of us an impromptu briefing on engineering cover at outstations. It was 'suggested' that we would all be better off not place the aircraft tech at certain bases just "fly back to base and get it fixed overnight"
No way, Hose.
These, and many other, issues led me to apply for, and gain, a place on a course to train as a teacher. This meant spending a lot of time in different schools making sure the decision was right. I enjoyed my experiences and am now part way through my training.
I concur with the points put forward by RPeagram. It is a very demanding, and equally rewarding, profession. Like flying, it is a basket case of tricky and contentious issues. In these nervy, untrustworthy and litigious times there is a lot of tension regarding issues of accountability. It is a highly responsible profession. You are dealing with the worlds most impressionable people and their future is in your hands.
It is no less comprehensive than airline command work. There are pro's and cons.
The major advantages for me (in no order) are:
1. Job satisfaction. Sorting out tough kids is hard graft. BUT you can see a difference when you get through to them.
2. Regular hours and regular sleep. Better all round for my family.
3. Schools don't go bust. I can work beyond 60 and don't need to pass a medical.
4. Schools are everywhere. I don't have to live near an expensive airport.
Would I go back to flying? Nope. Done that. Got the tee shirt and wrapped round an old mop.
RPeagram is right. It ain't easy but then life without a challenge is dull.
Happy Landings.