Career Options for Education Graduates

Candidates who complete their undergraduate course or post-graduate course in education will be facing the question of employment that can be a little tricky considering the nature of the field. The most common career options for candidates in this field are that of teaching and educational leadership roles. They deal with the different aspects of learning which can include teaching, supervision, and other aspects relating to imparting knowledge. At the same time, they also deal with other aspects that come under education like creating curriculums, supervising educational establishments, creating an alternative mode of teaching and learning, etc.

Employment in this industry can be found in the private and public sectors where the public sector will include employment in the local, state, and federal government. While the experience of candidates who wish to work in this sector is diverse, there is a general consensus on how the occupations under this sector help change the lives of countless students over time. Be it through the creation of curriculums and inclusion of subjects in academia that are gaining prominence in the world, or through teaching the people in this sector are focused on shaping the lives of students.

Sectors to Seek Work in

The educational sector is generally divided into the professions that involve leadership roles responsible for creating and maintaining the system in place. It is also for professions that have a more hands-on approach and deal with the students who benefit from the changes made in the system. This sector contains employment opportunities in the following places-

• Elementary Schools
• Secondary Schools
• Junior Colleges
• Colleges/Universities
• Professional Schools
• Business Schools
• Computer and Management Training
• Technical Schools
• Trade Schools
• Educational Support Services

List of Career Options in the Educational Sector

While this field contains the most common professions like teaching and administrative work, the sector also offers career options that are varied and challenging in nature like a Special needs teacher or a school counselor. The most popular and sought out among them are as follows-

School Counselor

School counselors are provided with the task of developing skills in students which can aid them in their academic and often social endeavors. They also take up career counseling if the student is in high school, letting them enroll in institutions that will help them excel in and achieve their dream. Their job description will include aiding students in overcoming their behavioral challenges and analyzing other factors relating to the candidate’s issues in the institution.

This job is often done on a full-time basis but is also based on school hours and will be able to find employment in both the public and private sectors. A master’s degree is required to practice this profession and some institutions even require licensure for being a counselor.
Median Salary: $60,000 per year

High School Teacher

High school teachers will be in charge of teaching their subject-related content to students and are also supposed to help students transition from a school to a college phase in life. Their job description will include planning lessons, assessing abilities through tests and discussions, grading the assessments accordingly, and even communicating with the immediate relatives of students about their progress. They teach from9th to 12th grade in school and most teachers often specialize in subjects like Math and Science separately along with a degree in education.

While some candidates choose to take even a master’s degree in the subject of their choice before enrolling in the education program, candidates can also take this up after their bachelor’s degree.
Median Salary: $64,000 per year

Middle School Teacher

Candidates who choose to be middle school teachers will deal with students between 6th to 8th grade and have to focus on making students understand the foundational aspects of the courses they are studying about. This is important in making the student transition smoothly from elementary school to high school enough that they should know what to specialize in by the time they reach high school. Their job description includes creating lesson plans, assessing abilities, grading assessments, and often even working individually with students in order to help them excel in their field.

They are required to have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they wish to teach along with a state-issued certificate letting them teach middle school students.
Median Salary: $62,000 per year

Principal

Candidates can choose to be a principal in the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the institution. Their main duties include providing an academic space that will let teacher perform their duties perfectly and letting students be able to thrive in the same setting. In order to achieve this, they will have to manage both staff and students by creating class schedules, implementing curriculum standards, disciplining students, observing and evaluating teachers, etc. It is a leadership role and candidates will not require a subject-related degree for the course. But they are expected to have a master’s degree in education before they consider applying for the post. It is also expected that they have teaching experience.
Median Salary: $100,000 per year

Teacher Assistant

Candidates who opt for this profession will be in charge of assisting a teacher with their tasks and duties as is obvious from the job title. This job post is provided to make it easier to provide more attention to students on an individual basis. They will be in charge of reviewing materials submitted by the students and teaching proper behavior to students. They will also have to keep the necessary materials at hand in an attempt to make teaching easier for the teachers.

In order to be a teacher assistant, candidates will have to complete two years of coursework and will have to work in educational spaces. They will mostly have no work during summers.
Median Salary: $30,000 per year

Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers work with differently-abled students and students with mild to moderate disabilities. Their job will include the adaptation of normal coursework into forms that are easily understandable by the students they are in charge of. Their job description includes assessing the skills of students, developing Individualized Education Programs for students, planning activities, etc. They have to teach students ranging from preschool to high school.

Candidates are required to have a bachelor’s degree in education and a state-issued certification to apply for this job.
Median Salary: $63,000 per year

Choosing the Right Career

Choosing the right career after completing one’s education is an important factor in developing as a person. At the same time, while working in the educational sector, it is to be understood that any job comes with a set of responsibilities that can shape the future generation with every small decision that is made. Candidates will have to make sure that they choose this field after considering the pros and cons of being part of it.

Professions like that of a special needs teacher require a lot of emotional and physical investment by the people who opt for it and hence it is important that candidates introspect deeply before enrolling in the education sector. At the same time, career-wise, this field will never have a shortage of job opportunities. This can be utilized by candidates into taking up the education field and contributing to society through imparting education.