Even though many of our graduates will have progressed in their careers since completing a case study, they are still of interest to students who wish to gain an understanding of the world of work.

Although I have had a TLR (Teaching and Learning Responsibility) in the past, I am currently one of 7 UPS (upper pay scale) teachers of English serving at my school. I teach A-level English Language, KS4 and KS3. I enjoy the variety. I have a lot of admin tasks to do in addition to teaching. I am currently editing 4 schemes of work, now that year 11 have left.

Arrive early and plan lessons/mark. Print off resources.
Attend staff meeting.
Form tutor (year 12).
Lessons - 5 per day - two breaks, sometimes after school or lunch-time revision sessions.
Liaise with department in staff meetings.
As an experienced teacher, help to deliver CPL (CPD) to other staff.
Emails!
Marking (quite a lot of that in English).
Filling in forms.
Contacting home for students who are struggling to meet expectations, or are behind with work.

I love the 'light-bulb' moment as all teachers do. I enjoy speaking about my subject and the books/novelists and different critical approaches I have learnt about. I also like to think that we're making a difference to the future, in the sense that we are preparing young minds for further study and the world of work.

The amount of things to do in a day/week (see list of things in 'typical day'). You have to be organised, able to multi-task and love your subject. You need to like the students as individuals (but don't tell them), and you need to be patient.

I did other things before I became a teacher and whilst in the Air Force I realised that I enjoyed 'teaching' others about my experiences and that I seemed to be pretty good at it. I also like the holidays as I have a young family and don't want to let their childhood pass me by!

Writing/reading
Time-keeping
Research
Forward planning (schemes of work)
Work in a team
Meeting deadlines
Making notes and actioning points from meetings
Listening to students and adapting lessons either during or afterwards
Maths (data and monitoring of students with numbers is important now)
Know how to challenge and inspire young people (this should probably be further up the list!)

RAF College (Supply Officer training) 2003-2004
Aid worker (Sri Lanka)
Clerical Officer (NHS)
Project Worker (University of Sheffield)
PGCE (2007)
MA (2013-14)

I am fairly open-minded. I am happy at my current school, but I am also conscious that education changes very quickly and that it has affected my health in the past.
A PhD is a possibility, but I may need help with funding.
I am not ruling out a career change, but I would have to consider it very carefully. Working at the University (post PhD) would be a good move in my view. I would never want to leave the field of education/research.

Get into schools and see what they're like (many schools will allow you to be a Teaching Assistant part time if you contact them, or will allow you to support or shadow a member of staff).
Speak to those who are teaching and work out whether it suits you and whether you have the required skills.
Know that you want to make a difference to young people.
Know your own strengths and weaknesses (if necessary do other things first, as I did).