Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Classroom with Lisa Harding

If the only thing you’re doing on LinkedIn is searching for jobs and clicking “Apply,” you’re missing one of the most powerful parts of the platform.  LinkedIn isn’t really about jobs. It’s about people.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding explains how career-transitioning teachers can use LinkedIn more strategically to build relationships, explore careers, increase their visibility, and uncover opportunities they may never find on a traditional job board.  You’ll learn:  Why applying to more jobs isn’t always the best strategy How your existing network may be bigger than you realize Why informational interviews can accelerate both career clarity and job search How to start networking without asking strangers for jobs Why commenting and engaging can help the right people notice you What the “hidden job market” means for career-transitioning teachers How one LinkedIn message changed Lisa’s decision to review a candidate Simple ways to start using LinkedIn more strategically this week  Your next opportunity may not come from clicking “Apply.”  It may start with a conversation.  Links from Episode:» Join our next free coaching call: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event?data-cst=podcast» Book a 1:1 LinkedIn Review: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-li-profile-review   » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

LinkedIn can feel intimidating when you’re just beginning a career transition.  What should your profile say? What if you don’t know what career you want yet? Will your school know you’re looking? And do you really need to start posting and networking with strangers?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down why you don’t need to have LinkedIn—or your entire career transition—figured out before you start using it.  You’ll learn:  Why LinkedIn is useful long before you start applying for jobs What to do if you don’t know your next career yet Why your profile does not need to be perfect How to start building connections without feeling awkward Why being a “LinkedIn lurker” can actually be a perfectly good first step How your LinkedIn profile can evolve as your career direction becomes clearer One simple action you can take this week to get started  LinkedIn isn’t something you need to master overnight. It’s a tool you can learn to use little by little throughout your entire career transition.  Links from Episode:» Join our next free coaching call: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event?data-cst=podcast» Book a 1:1 LinkedIn Review: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-li-profile-review   » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

LinkedIn can feel intimidating when you’re just beginning a career transition.  What should your profile say? What if you don’t know what career you want yet? Will your school know you’re looking? And do you really need to start posting and networking with strangers?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa Harding breaks down why you don’t need to have LinkedIn—or your entire career transition—figured out before you start using it.  You’ll learn:  Why LinkedIn is useful long before you start applying for jobs What to do if you don’t know your next career yet Why your profile does not need to be perfect How to start building connections without feeling awkward Why being a “LinkedIn lurker” can actually be a perfectly good first step How your LinkedIn profile can evolve as your career direction becomes clearer One simple action you can take this week to get started  LinkedIn isn’t something you need to master overnight. It’s a tool you can learn to use little by little throughout your entire career transition.  Links from Episode:» Join our next free coaching call: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-transition-career-event?data-cst=podcast » Book a 1:1 LinkedIn Review: https://www.teachercareertransitionacademy.com/teacher-li-profile-review    » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What if you still love teaching—you just don’t love the traditional classroom anymore?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa talks with Becky Wilmoth about a side of education many teachers may not realize exists: homeschool co-ops, hybrid programs, microschools, enrichment classes, and other flexible ways to keep working with students.  What began as Becky searching for a better option for her own children eventually grew into programs serving more than 300 students and a career helping others build innovative education programs of their own.  You’ll learn:  ✨ How homeschool co-ops and hybrid programs actually work  ✨ Where former classroom teachers fit into these programs  ✨ Opportunities for art, PE, music, and other specialty teachers ✨ How teachers can begin offering services to homeschool families  ✨ What to consider if you want to start a program of your own  If you love teaching but know the traditional school environment no longer fits, this conversation may open your eyes to possibilities you haven’t considered.   Links from Episode:  » Connect with Becky:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-wilmoth/ » Becky's Website:  www.nonprofitedsolutions.com  » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Back-to-school season has a way of taking over everything.  There’s always another email to answer, lesson to prepare, meeting to attend, activity to volunteer for, or person who needs something from you. And when your time and energy are already stretched thin, your career transition can quickly become the thing you keep promising yourself you’ll get back to later.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa talks about how to protect your career goals during one of the busiest seasons of the school year — without expecting yourself to do everything.  We’ll talk about:  Why your career transition keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list How to decide what your “minimum week” looks like during busy seasons Why protecting your energy matters just as much as protecting your time How to create boundaries around the things that don’t need your attention right now Why consistency matters more than intensity How accountability and support can help you keep going when motivation dips  You don’t need to fit a second full-time job into your already-full schedule.  You just need to intentionally protect a little space for the future you’re trying to build.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Back-to-school season leaves teachers with very little extra time or energy — which makes it even more important to spend the time you do have on the right things.  But when you’re trying to change careers, it can be hard to know where to start. Should you update your resume? Apply for jobs? Research new careers? Take another course? Work on LinkedIn?  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Lisa talks about why career-transitioning teachers often get stuck doing the right things in the wrong order — and why you don’t need to have your entire future figured out before you can start making progress.  We’ll talk about:  How to identify where you actually are in the career-transition processWhy doing more isn’t always the same as moving forward How small actions can help you create career clarity Why career exploration is more effective than waiting for the perfect answer How perfectionism can quietly keep you stuck Why progress matters more than having everything figured out  When your time is limited, you don’t need to tackle your entire career transition. You just need to know your next meaningful step. Because action gets you information — and information gets you clarity.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Back-to-school season can make even the most motivated teacher feel like there simply isn’t room for anything else — especially a career transition.  Between new students, lesson planning, open houses, family responsibilities, and everything else competing for your attention, it’s easy to decide that your career transition will just have to wait. But putting it completely on hold can make it that much harder to start again later.  In this episode, Lisa talks about why career transitions have seasons, how to adjust your pace during one of the busiest times of the school year, and how to create a transition plan that actually fits your life. You’ll hear practical ways to find small pockets of time, stop comparing your progress to someone else’s, and keep moving forward even when your capacity is limited.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What if your next career could combine problem-solving, data, creativity, and the communication skills you already developed as a teacher? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Megan Johnson talks with former middle and high school math teacher Jim about his transition from 14 years in the classroom to a career in business intelligence and data analytics. Jim shares how he discovered the field, taught himself the technical skills he needed, built a portfolio, and ultimately landed a data analyst role before advancing into business intelligence development. You’ll learn: What data analysts and business intelligence developers actually doWhich job titles to search for when exploring careers in data analyticsWhich technical skills are most important for getting startedHow Jim used Coursera, DataCamp, SQL, Excel, and Tableau to upskillWhy you don’t necessarily need another degree to become a data analystHow to build a portfolio that demonstrates your skills to employersWhich transferable teaching skills can give you an advantage in data-focused rolesWhat Jim’s four-round interview process looked like—and how his presentation skills helped him stand outWhy staying within the education industry can give transitioning teachers an advantageHow career growth and earning potential can change after leaving the classroom If you enjoy problem-solving, working with information, finding patterns, and explaining complex ideas in a way others can understand, data analytics may be a career path worth exploring. Jim’s story is also an important reminder that you don’t have to already possess every skill—or have the “perfect” degree—to begin building toward something new. Links from Episode: » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy » Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources. » Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers. » “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”. » Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What if you don't hate teaching... but you know you're ready for something new?  After 19 years in education, Amy isn't running away from the classroom, she's searching for a career that challenges her in new ways while allowing her to use the skills she's spent years building.  In this Messy Middle conversation, Amy shares what it's really like to navigate the uncertainty of a career transition while still teaching full-time. From narrowing down career options and battling imposter syndrome to questioning whether AI should help write your resume, this episode is full of honest reflections and practical takeaways.  We talk about:  ✨ Why even experienced teachers can feel unqualified  ✨ How to use AI without losing your authentic voice  ✨ The surprising realization that remote work isn't always the best fit  ✨ Why taking action—even before you have all the answers—creates clarity If you've been waiting until you feel "ready" before taking the first step, this episode is your reminder that clarity doesn't come before action, it comes because of it.   Links from Episode:  » Connect with Amy:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-garner1/ » Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Trying to balance a full-time teaching job while also navigating a career transition can feel completely overwhelming.  In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about how to realistically manage both without burning yourself out in the process.  We’ll talk about:  Why trying to “do it all” usually backfires  How to create sustainable momentum during the school year  What actually deserves your limited time and energy  Why consistency matters more than intensity  Practical ways to protect your mental health during the transition process  How structure and support can make the process feel more manageable  If you’re trying to survive the school year while still working toward a career change, this episode will help you approach the process more strategically—and with a lot more grace for yourself.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Are you getting ready to head back to school… while still knowing deep down that you want a career change? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking to the teachers who are carrying a mix of emotions right now—disappointment, frustration, exhaustion, uncertainty, and maybe even guilt for not having transitioned out yet.  We’ll talk about:  Why going back to school does NOT mean your transition failed  The emotional pressure teachers feel at the end of summer  How to stop comparing your timeline to everyone else’s  Why many successful transitions happen during the school year  How to approach this school year differently  Ways to protect your energy and maintain momentum without burning out  If you’re feeling discouraged because you’re returning to the classroom while still hoping for something different, this episode is for you.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What happens when your life falls apart… at the same time you’re trying to rebuild it?  When Kim Reed left teaching, it wasn’t part of a carefully planned transition, it was a breaking point. After 14 years as a middle school band director, Kim found herself physically unable to keep going.  She didn’t have a plan. She didn’t have a safety net, and she had no idea what was next.  In this deeply honest Messy Middle conversation, Kim shares what it really looks like to walk away from everything you thought your life would be and rebuild from the ground up.  From taking microscopic steps forward… to navigating self-doubt and embarrassment… to discovering a career she didn’t even know existed.  Her story is a powerful reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect to be real and sometimes, the breakthrough comes when you least expect it.  In fact, between the time she signed up for this podcast and the day we recorded it, Kim received and accepted a full-time job offer as a Customer Success Manager.  We talk about:  ✨ What it feels like when your body tells you it’s time to leave  ✨ How to move forward when you have no plan  ✨ Why tiny steps actually matter ✨ And what it takes to rebuild confidence after walking away  If you’ve ever felt stuck or like you’re starting over, this is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out—just keep going.  Links from Episode:  » Connect with Kim:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyreed2/» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey.» Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What if leaving the classroom didn’t mean leaving behind the parts of teaching you love? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, Megan Johnson talks with former elementary teacher Jamie Bulva about her transition into a multi-site coordinator role with the YMCA of Greater Kansas City. Jamie shares how she found a career that still allows her to work with children, support staff, and partner with schools—without carrying the same stress she experienced as a classroom teacher. You’ll learn: What a multi-site coordinator doesWhich job titles to search for in youth and after-school programmingHow Jamie positioned her teaching experience for a leadership roleWhich transferable skills helped her stand out to the hiring teamWhat she now looks for when reviewing resumes and interviewing candidatesWhy you don’t need to meet every qualification before applyingHow Jamie successfully negotiated her salary If you still love working with children but know the classroom is no longer the right fit, this episode will introduce you to a career path that may allow you to keep the parts of education you love while building a more sustainable professional life. Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

What actually helps teachers get hired during a career transition? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m breaking down some of the biggest things that genuinely help former teachers gain traction during the job search process—from career clarity and transferable skills to networking, confidence, and becoming “recruiter-ready.” We’ll talk about:  Why clarity matters more than random applying  How to position your teaching experience strategically  The transferable skills employers are actually looking for  Why networking matters more than most teachers realize  What hiring managers are evaluating beyond your resume  How consistency and structure create momentum during a transition  If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure how to stand out outside the classroom, this episode will help you focus on what actually moves the needle during a career transition.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!

Feeling discouraged because summer is flying by and you still don’t have your career transition fully figured out? In this episode of Beyond the Classroom, I’m talking about the pressure so many teachers feel in July—the panic that starts creeping in when school feels closer, timelines feel shorter, and it seems like everyone else has everything figured out.  We’ll talk about:  Why career transitions rarely happen overnight  The hidden progress teachers often overlook  How social media creates unrealistic expectations  Why you are NOT “behind” if you’re still figuring things out  The emotional pressure tied to the school-year calendar  How small, intentional momentum creates real change over time   If you’ve been feeling anxious, discouraged, or like you “wasted your summer” because you don’t have a new job yet, this episode is for you.  Links from Episode:» Join my Free Masterclass: Click here to jumpstart your career transition journey. » Keep Learning With Me: Discover the Teacher Career Transition Academy» Join our FB Group: A thriving community of support and resources.» Download the Career Directory: Discover over 200+ alternative careers.» “I love Lisa and the Teacher Career Transition Podcast” If this sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people – just like you – find happiness in a new career. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review”.» Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding special surprises to the feed, and if you aren’t following, you have a good chance of missing out! Follow now!