In many states within the U.S., business and industry professionals with sufficient work experience can enter teaching through various alternative certification and licensure pathways. Generally, upon an employment offer, these individuals enroll in some type of alternative certification/licensure program at a college or university where they take courses while they teach in what is known in the U.S., as a teacher in-service programs opposed to more traditional pre-service programs where students complete a program of preparation before teaching. The requirements of these programs can vary widely from state to state and given the current state of teacher shortages in the U.S., can be quite minimal. This aspect will be briefly discussed. This paper and presentation will focus on one such program in the state of Ohio at a major university. The process of initial employment will be discussed along with the program of preparation provided to these individuals as they make the transition into a secondary education classroom. Professional teaching responsibilities will be described. In addition, based on a recent descriptive research study which involved database searches and personal interviews, the issues surrounding retention of these teachers will also be discussed. The challenges these novice teachers face in the transition process as well as the strategies and professional development provided by the universities and the hiring schools will also be highlighted. Individual motivations for entering the teaching profession (as well as leaving) will be examined.

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