In this post, I want to share the presentation I delivered to students in the Master ‘s in Educational Psychology (known in Spain as “Máster en Psicopedagogía”) program at the University of A Coruña. Titled “Beyond State Teaching Exams”, the session focused on how I built a career as an international educator and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. The goal was clear: to offer an alternative perspective to the traditional path (State Teaching Exams), to share real opportunities, and to provide concrete tools for building a teaching career without borders.
Why “Beyond State Teaching Exams”?
In Spain, most teaching careers start through oposiciones—competitive public exams that are widely seen as the only serious pathway into the profession. While I acknowledge their value and the stability they offer, I also firmly believe they are not the only way. There are many other professional paths that can deeply enrich one’s experience as an educator. This post is not a critique of the system, but rather an invitation to look further, to consider opportunities that aren’t always presented to us so directly.
Building Your Profile as an International Educator
Teaching abroad not only gives you a fresh educational perspective, it also transforms you on a personal level. Learning new languages, adapting to different cultures, stepping out of your comfort zone—all of it leaves a mark. And beyond the personal, these experiences truly shape your professional path as well.
In the session, I emphasized something I’ve come to see over the years: there comes a point when experience carries more weight than qualifications on your CV. That’s why it’s so important to actively seek out real opportunities, even if they’re not “perfect.” These experiences prepare you for the classroom, yes—but they also prepare you for job interviews by giving you stories to tell, decisions to explain, and meaningful lessons to share.
I introduced some useful platforms and resources to help find these opportunities: educational volunteering through Workaway, job boards like Schrole, TES, and IB Jobs.
English is essential, but academic knowledge alone isn’t enough. Listening to podcasts, reading educational blogs, and following international educators are great ways to make English a working tool, not just a school subject.
I also highlighted the importance of networking in education. Connecting with fellow teachers, sharing your work, asking for feedback, or just having a conversation can open far more doors than you might think. Creating professional networks isn’t exclusive to the business world—it matters just as much in education.
The more people know what you do, the better. Whether it’s through a blog, a professional Instagram account, or a digital teaching portfolio, any space where you showcase how you teach is an opportunity to stand out.
All of this should be paired with intentional professional planning. Ask yourself: Where do I want to be in three years? What kind of experiences do I need? What kind of teacher do I want to become? Then seek out courses, books, tools, and platforms that will help you get there—step by step.
Because building an international teaching career isn’t about luck. It’s about clarity, strategy… and taking the first step.
Personal Reflections
Preparing and sharing this presentation with the Master’s students at the University of A Coruña was a very special experience. Not only because it allowed me to (virtually) return to a Galician university, but because it gave me the chance to open up new possibilities for future educators.
We often assume everyone already knows about these paths—but that’s not the case. And if this talk helped even one person consider teaching abroad, or simply gave someone the push to write their first international CV, then it was absolutely worth it. Sharing what you’ve lived is also a way to give back to those who helped you along the way: people like Brian, Amanda, Christy, Laurie, Emer, Bea, Blanqui, and Conchi, who supported my journey and encouraged me to keep growing.