Tempted to temp? Why working casually is more advantageous than ever.

For many educators, temping was once an unfavorable element on a resume requiring careful justification. Nowadays, the stigma is gone, and working casually is fast becoming a savvy career move. Here’s why…

It’s no secret that there’s a global teacher shortage. Government led changes in education over recent years have prompted a decline among individuals pursuing teaching as a permanent career. Consequently, high quality educators who are still in the profession are becoming increasingly empowered to make strategic decisions regarding where they work, who they work for, and how often.

Truthfully, some of the most talented and sought after educators have spent a significant proportion of their teaching careers doing relief work – and from their feedback, they believe that this experience has been invaluable to their success.

Here are a few reasons why temping has become so beneficial to both educators and schools alike:

Skills acquisition
The level of expertise demanded from causal educators should not be underestimated. Adaptability, communication, resourcefulness, resilience, confidence, classroom management – the list of skills that rapidly develop during temping is lengthy. Not to mention the range of creative strategies, original ideas, and fresh insights you will learn from co-workers you will meet and collaborate with along the way.

Exposure
Temping leads to experience within a range of locations, each with varied methodologies, cultures and systems that will broaden your horizons and help to mold your own journey. This diverse exposure will enable you to discover which working environment is most effective for you. Making the right decision when contemplating permanent work leads to a healthier partnership between educators and schools, and less risk of turnover and dissatisfaction along the road.

Networking
They say, ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’. Although not entirely true within the teaching world, it doesn’t hurt to have purposeful connections. Networking can be the key to a prosperous career, and working casually is an excellent method of meeting and building relationships with influential individuals within the industry. You never know where the future will lead, or who the next opportunity may come from…

Flexibility
One of the main appeals of casual work is the flexibility. Relief educators have the ability to choose when they work, thus creating time for other commitments – e.g. extra professional development sessions, a part time university course or simply a hobby that will help distinguish them from the crowd. Time is a valued commodity, particularly for full time teaching staff, and casual educators who choose their time wisely could give themselves a head start from the competition.

Temping is no longer synonymous with ‘job hopping’ and the negative associations that come with the phrase. It has become a way for educators to take control of their careers, make decisions that will benefit their own lives, and shape a future that they are excited to embark upon.

So, if you are an educator inspired to see how temping will benefit you, contact anzuk Education now on (03) 9249 2444 to discuss how we can help you get started!