43M Scottish teacher living in Spain, considering a career change and a 1-year Master’s. Looking for realistic advice. What would you do?
I’m 43, Scottish, and have lived abroad for well over a decade (Spain, Turkey, Cambodia, Italy). I’ve been an English teacher for 13 years, mostly teaching Cambridge/IGCSE students internationally. Before that I worked in customer service/admin for a bank. Tbh I have worked loads of various roles in my life.
I’m at a point where I want a long-term career change into something else. I may be at the end of my teaching career due to just feeling a bit jaded and needing a new start. I want something:
- more technical
- working in a morally sound industry (if that even exists)
- remotely if possible
- future-proof/growing: not about to burst
- with decent salary potential: money is good but not the main draw
- but still involving communication/working with people remotely
I have savings and could realistically afford a 1-year online Master’s degree.
My target would be around €2500 net/month eventually, while continuing to live in Spain (non-negotiable).
Things I think I bring:
- strong communication/presentation skills
- I have an honours degree already + various teaching certs
- bilingual English/C1 Spanish
- lots of experience explaining complex things to people
- adaptable internationally
- learn well and genuinely work well in a team
- good with tech/software
The problem is I'm lost/confused about what direction makes sense at my age. Could be an age crisis, but I have had these thoughts for the guts of a year. The change may not materialise, but I am considering them now.
I keep looking at:
- Instructional Design / Learning Technology
- UX Research (seems a really oversubscribed market)
- Data Analytics
- Customer Success in tech
- AI-related education/training roles
- EdTech
- maybe something I haven’t considered - this is the part I struggle with the most
What I don’t want:
- a dead-end degree
- spending years retraining for no realistic employment outcome
- starting from absolute zero at minimum wage
- careers that are already oversaturated
If you were in my position:
- what would you seriously consider?
- what Master’s would actually improve employability?
- what fields are genuinely growing?
- and what would be realistic at 43?
I’d especially appreciate advice from people who changed careers later in life or work remotely in Europe.
Thanks.