The Grief and the Relief: From Classroom to L&D Adviser

"Two emotions can exist at the same time. The grief can exist with the relief."

Bex went into teaching straight out of university with her identity firmly attached to it. Quickly finding the environment ‘all-consuming’ and ‘energy depleting’, she spent 12 years in and out of the classroom - always getting pulled back in as she struggled to separate from a career she’d worked so hard for. Following a period of self-reflection, and taking some time to ask who she actually was outside of the job, Bex decided it was time for a new adventure.

Now a Junior L&D Adviser at an accountancy firm, Bex has found something she didn't expect: calm. She works hybrid, has time for yoga, her dog Percy, and the people who matter to her - and with CIPD Level 5 on the horizon, she's excited about what comes next rather than feeling trapped.

In this episode, we also talk about:

• Why leaving doesn't mean you've given up
• Getting caught in the "part-time teaching trap" and why it doesn’t work for everyone
• Living for the holidays whilst in teaching
• Finding structure during a career break
• Using LinkedIn to make purposeful connections
• Variety in an L&D role
• Enjoying a less hectic work environment
• Adjusting to desk-based work after years of being on your feet
• Asking the right questions at interview - including the ones that feel scary
• Shifting away from the "job for life" mindset that teaching can instil
• Getting to know yourself

⛺ Next Step Fest 2026 is coming! FREE online event for teachers ready to leave ~ released 23rd July. Register here now 🩷