Hi mummy's! Hope the holidays are being kind to you so far!
I am just after a bit of career advise if those in the know would care to share..
I recently quit a stressful and underpaid job and have given myself time to think about what I would really enjoy doing and that is working with kids. Ideally I would love a job at my kids school as a teachers aide, failing that I'd also be happy in the school office or as a cleaner even.
Can anyone tell me how to go about any of these positions/what the salary is/ how hard it is to get permanent work etc?
I've heard it is hard to get consistent work as a teachers aide and probably not likely it would be at my kids school..
Thank you :)
3 Replies
Teachers aide work is hard to get and seasonal.
Your not paid for like 16 weeks of the year. - school holidays, public holidays, sick days, etc. so it's hard to live on and it's usually minimum wage.
Why not go for a teachers role? Go back to uni ?
Office roles are also hard to come by. I'd suggest clerical/admin courses and then applying. Volunteering during school group times us a good way to get your face around the school as is P&C meetings and canteen duties.
If your looking for school hours it can be tough but worthwhile. If the hours don't really phase you then I'd suggest OOSH work! Some may require a cert 3 in childcare but others are a little lenient.
OOSH work is fantastic and usually generous with payment as you work split shift. Which is handy if you like to get things done in the middle of the day.
I've worked as a teachers aide. I loved it and was lucky enough to have permanent work, but that was because I worked in a specialist disability school, which had a 1:1 ratio.
I have friends who get work in the typical school system and there hours can vary widely from term to term. They can be two days one term and no days the next. It's very hard to get fulltime work as the funding available can change based on a variety of factors.
Although it's lovely having school holidays off you don't get paid and it's frowned upon to take leave outside of school holidays.
It's not the sort of work I'd choose if I HAVE to work fulltime to survive.
I went back to uni at 30 and worked my butt off to get my teaching degree. Best thing I ever did. Four years after graduating I have a permanent position in a hard to staff school that pays extra ($95k), I now pay more in tax than I used to earn. Yes it's hard work getting the degree and the first few years after you are qualified, while you try and find permanency are tough, once you get it, the work is fantastic and fulfilling and just do it 😋
Teachers aides are paid terribly, they deserve much more than what they get.