Career Burnout/ End of Road?

castaway_lady

Hi,
Hoping someone can offer advice to a teacher who feels like they've hit a brick wall with the job. To summarise, teaching further ed for 7 years, having previously worked in industry for 6 years. Educated to MSc level in my area plus a range of industry related qualifications.
Until last year I loved the job, the nature of the students, working conditions etc.
Now zero interest, tolerance and cant seem to resurrect it, so tired from trying to drag so called adults through, same syllabus year after year irrespective of the fact that I bust my ass to inject new info and research into it, increasing and totally pointless layers of paperwork, stupid management decisions etc. I enjoy nothing about it at the moment except for the holidays and that's not what I spent a fortune in terms of time and money developing a c.v. for. I do a fair amount of industry work and volunteer work outside of teaching which provides a level of mental stimulation that the job doesn't and quite frankly is a salvation even if it is tiring.
Im ridiculously weary at the end of the teaching day and mentally flat from lack of stimulation and battles with students. I love the theory I teach, but that's where it now stops.This is a 360degree turnaround for me. No idea how to or if I can get back to where I was with the job or where I can go? (back into industry fulltime isn't financially viable at all nor of interest to me).
I've thought about getting some career guidance counselling but Im not sure whats to be gained from that either.

therealme

Do yourself and the students a favour and leave.

I looked at a colleague today (looks like how you describe yourself) and I thought WHY are you here. No interest or motivation which is not fair on you or your colleagues.

Can't advise you what to do - maybe take time out and travel if your circumstances allow - but it's not fair to others to continue as you are. I hope you don't mind me saying but could you have symptoms of depression? Try talk to someone or go to a councillor. No harm talking.

Good luck, I hope you find happiness.

IlmoNT4

You sound burnt out or at a cross roads. Make sure to take time to look after yourself. If possible organise a break and get away for a few months or if thats not possible maybe get yourself into therapy for a little while. Some times when there is lots and lots of things going on in our lives we just hit an emotional and physical wall and it kills off motivation for the things we once loved....What else is going on in your life.? Any stress? Are you happy ?

LegacyUser

OP I would describe what you are talking about more as stemming from demoralisation rather than burnout. Burnout is more personal and no longer being able to able to draw on our own personal resources to keep going which can happen in any job. Demoralisation is more about the sense of dread which arises from feeling powerless to change the system and which can be particularly prevalent within public sector roles where the values which inspired you to enter the profession are overshadowed by bureacracy and the system.So even if you were to take a career break you would probably still face the same issues on your return. Some people who reach this point and are no longer able to battle the system might start looking into a completely different career or even think about working for themselves such as consultancy work or opening a business. Would any of your skills lend themselves to working for yourself or do you have any passions that you would like to pursue that you could turn into a business opportunity? Perhaps do a personal audit of your skills and experience and research other alternative opportunities.Just trying to give you some food for thought but do take care of yourself as you're in a difficult place at the moment but it will get better once you try to get some clarity about your future direction.