From the stage into the classroom: Vanessa Eder-Messutat as a career changer
From the stage into the classroom: Vanessa Eder-Messutat as a career changer
In an exciting step, Vanessa Eder-Messutat, an experienced stage designer and illustrator, dared to get into the creative middle school in Korneuburg. After about 20 years of activity in the theater world, she has also been a teacher since September 2024. This possibility resulted from the initiative of the Ministry of Education, which allows experts from other areas to work as a teacher. Among other things, this decision is an answer to the lack of teachers in Austria. According to the Minister of Education Martin Polaschek, 500 career changers have strengthened the team of teachers in the country alone.
For Eder-Messutat, the transverse entry was not only a professional challenge, but also a sensible addition to her previous work. She now teaches art, technology and design and emphasizes that she can bring her professional experience into teaching fertile. "I enjoy my new task very much and have good access to the children," she says.
Requirements for the transverse entry
In order to be able to become a career changer, some prerequisites are necessary: a completed degree at a bachelorny level, at least three years of professional experience and a successfully existing aptitude assessment procedure are the essential criteria. Eder-Messutat has successfully overcome these hurdles and is now one of 180 career changers in Lower Austria.
Before these career changers are allowed to teach in the class, complete a two-week basic pedagogy course. During this time, the most important content of the teaching profession is conveyed, in particular the various teaching methods. You will also have to make up for a university course at a university of teachers within eight years.
prejudices against transverse entrants
The chairwoman of the Lower Austria state teachers, Claudia Andre, points out that career changers often bring extensive specialist knowledge that benefit the students. She emphasizes that the ability to have a good connection to the students does not necessarily depend on formal teacher training. "You have a wire to the students or not," says Andre. Many prejudices arise because traditional teachers do not provide sufficient information about the qualification of career changers.
The experiences for Eder-Messutat and her colleague Anna-Maria Caroppo are consistently positive. They emphasize the helpfulness of their colleagues and the opportunity to learn from each other. Caroppo, who previously worked in the economy, reports: "In the beginning it is turbulent, but that's normal."
The career changers bring fresh perspectives into the classroom and can often pass on valuable insights in their field. "An advantage that the career changers will certainly bring to schools is a look from outside," explains Eva Teimel, deputy union chairman of the AHS teachers in Lower Austria. In part -time schools, career changers have been a common part of the teaching staff for decades. Roland Gangl, Chairman of the BMHS teacher union, confirms that it is a lived practice in many educational institutions if specialists from various professional divisions share their experiences with the students.
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