School of Education and Continuing Studies (SECS)

Troops to Teaching

During my Royal Naval career I particularly enjoyed roles where I had responsibilities that included personnel management and instruction. I have been inspired by the progress and true potential that individuals can achieve through clear guidance, motivation and training and was keen to explore opportunities to involve myself in similar roles on leaving the service. I have also had an interest in youth charity work, particularly supporting young people from difficult and challenging backgrounds.

Having looked at a range of career opportunities including coaching, mentoring and counselling I felt that teacher training and specifically the Post Graduate Certificate of Education at the University of Portsmouth provided a trusted route into a new career that would enable me to work closely with young people from a variety of backgrounds and allow me to have a positive influence on their lives.

Service personnel are likely to have advanced team working skills and adaptability; they will have worked closely with a range of people from different educational and cultural backgrounds - all attributes that should support teaching. In addition the majority of servicemen and women will have high levels of self-discipline and will be familiar with the requirement to motivate, inspire and demand the highest standards from others. Finally servicemen and women will have life experiences that can be drawn upon to enhance teaching and bring classrooms to life.

Those in the services who are considering a career in teaching should be aware that they will need a good degree, and for secondary teachers their degree should relate to their chosen teaching subject.

I am half way through my PGCE in Geography and hope to become a Geography teacher when I finish. I hope that my naval experiences will enable me to communicate and connect with the young people that I teach.

- David Price, Warfare Officer, Naval Command Headquarters