Teaching appeals to many degree holders who already have experience in one profession.

According to the nationwide Teaching as a Second Career survey by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, some 42% of US college graduates aged 24 to 60 would consider becoming a teacher.

Those interested in switching careers to the profession were also found to be more likely to have attended a selective college and have higher-than-average grades for their studies.

Furthermore, they are most likely to be working in the engineering, science and information technology sectors.

Respondents said a good starting salary and having access to special training designed to smooth their transition to education would be the most important factors in persuading them to make the switch.

Foundation president, Arthur Levine, said these graduates could play a vital role in meeting the United States' high demand for qualified teachers.

"Career changers could help address persistent teacher shortages in hard-to-staff schools - given the right compensation and the right preparation," he commented.

Figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show there were around 4 million teachers in the US in 2006.

The foundation said over the next ten years, the country is expected to need approximately 1.5 million new educators.