Transitioning from the field of journalism to high school English is only a stone’s throw away, and definitely possible. Teaching is a field that requires various degrees and certifications, depending on the school, so ensure you’ve done your research and make room for your new certification on your resume. However, since it’s expected, education and certification don’t need to be front and center, but your accomplishments do need to be included.

When writing a transitional resume, it’s important to start with a clear Objective and Qualifications Summery so the employer understands that you are transitioning careers and how your skills will be useful in the new position. Even though your experience has not been in high school English specifically, many of the same skills are needed in both jobs, and the key is to make your experience relatable.

So maybe you haven’t taught a class of high school students the rules of grammar before, but in the field of journalism you have had exorbitant amounts of grammar practice – so you know the rules inside and out. Maybe you haven’t written sentences on a whiteboard in front of teens before, but perhaps you were a leader of the welcome committee in college and spoke to dozens of parents and future students. Now is the time to think back to your memory banks and pull out experiences that probably haven’t been on your resume before but is relatable.

Key points to remember:

• Use the Objectives portion to quickly explain the desire to transition from one field to the other
• Make your skills and experience relatable to the position you’re applying for
• Be sure to include all college-level education and related certifications
• Utilize the Skills section to showcase any additional skills you feel are relevant