Do you have a degree in education and looking for suitable career options? Do you think working with children in typical classroom setting is the only career path for educationalists? Well, you’re mistaken.
Here’s the deal: The degree you’ve earned in education does not limit you to becoming a teacher. Sure, grooming and leading students remains a common choice for educators. Still, the credentials that come with an educational degree qualify their holders to work in various sectors and positions. Hence, you too can have a career outside the classroom – from administrating research to planning for the federal government; you can have it all. Still, even if you are passionate about teaching, a degree in education can act as a stepping stone.
So, if you are pondering on what your options are after attaining a degree in education, we can guide you. Below is a list of some career choices that can help you make a profound difference in other people’s lives and your own, and have an astounding number of growth opportunities.
- School Principal
Schools everywhere require high-quality leadership and guidance. They demand exceptional school principals. While educators are often the face of the school, principals serve a vital role in management and organization. They set agendas, guide curriculum, and ensure that the school gives every student all the possible opportunities they deserve. They are also responsible for maintaining the budget, developing safety procedures, overseeing facilities, and hiring staff members. It is a lot of work, but the rewarding outcomes make up for it all, especially since the average yearly salary of a school principal is $91,632.
For those of you interested in this career choice, you must have a thorough understanding of the requirements on how to become a school principal. You need to have a master’s degree in educational leadership or administration, necessary licenses and certifications, and above all, experience.
- Curriculum Design
Aside from teaching, curriculum design is an ideal career in the education field. Curriculum design entails the creation and implementation of educational materials. The professional will be in charge of selecting course topics, and what types of course content would be best to teach the subject. Content does not have to be limited to reading materials; it can also include digital files and videos. The salary prospects are also high, considering curriculum designers are paid between $64,467 to $73,795.
The curriculum designer is also expected to provide timetables of how long it may take educators to complete each activity. A company will look for curriculum designers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in education. Some employers, however, prefer candidates with a BS degree in educational technology.
- Recreation Director
A recreation director is a position of authority in the field of education and recreation. It entails supervising and managing recreational workers in sports centers, summer camps, fitness centers, and similar settings. The career path allows for the continuation of education with a focus on mental and physical wellbeing. A high school diploma is mostly required for a position as a recreation director. However, some facilities may require a bachelor’s degree. According to BLS, the average annual salary of a recreational worker is around $25,000 per year. Because directors are in leadership positions, you can expect to earn more than the average salary of $43,000 per year.
- Freelance Blogging, Writing, Podcasting
If you’re interested in education but don’t want to work in a school setting, working as a freelancer can open up a bunch of opportunities for you in the education field other than teaching. Working as a freelancer will give you a chance to write, speak, or create content in your areas of expertise and interest. Also, as a freelancer, you are your boss, so you decide on your education and ongoing learning opportunities.
Many educators start freelancing while they are still working full-time graduate jobs and eventually transition into freelancing as a solid career as they build an audience or/a client base. Freelance pay rates differ drastically. Full-time freelancers generally earn around $40,000 per year.
- Student’s Path Coordinator
A student life coordinator is a good career path for educators looking for a change. The position focuses on college students and works to establish and monitor housing activities for them. You may also be in charge of organizing and carrying out cultural activities for the college’s students. However, specific responsibilities may differ depending on the college you are employed at. Educational requirements for the job are low. You need to have a high school diploma and prior housing coordination experience, but a higher level of education may be required in some schools.
If you choose to work as a student life director or coordinator, you can expect to earn an average of $35,000 or more per year. As you gain experience, you can expect your salary to rise. You may also make a higher wage for your work in some regions. The job outlook for a student life coordinator is comparable to that of other industries.
- Adult Education
Adult education jobs provide excellent opportunities for career advancement for teachers. Teaching adults can be a fruitful professional experience because adult education presents fewer challenges than secondary or elementary education. The majority of adults voluntarily enroll in night schools because they genuinely want to learn. A professional with a bachelor’s degree in adult education may teach in a vocational school or private setting. Adult educators are also employed by organizations and in one-on-one learning environments. A master’s degree or higher is required for university and college jobs.
The employment prospects for university and private adult education jobs are stable, while the employment prospects for high school equivalency programs are declining. Fewer adults pursue ESL and adult education degrees, implying that fewer teachers are needed in these programs. On the other hand, adult education jobs have several advantages, including flexible hours and annual salaries that exceed $53,000.
- School Counselor
Student support systems are essential for the development of future leaders and experts at all educational levels. Traditional school counselors assist students in making career and academic decisions. They help them with social, behavioral, and personal issues in the classroom, with middle and elementary school counselors focusing more on trade than job-related and academic plans.
Candidates must have a school counseling diploma. Most states require a master’s degree in counseling from a school of education, human resources, or psychology. Unlike some other career paths in education, the average counselor’s work schedule is relatively consistent and limited primarily to the standard 40-hour workweek. In most cases, with plenty of room for advancement, the mid-salary range is around $51,050, with a steep of $82,330.
Conclusion
So there you have it; a quick run-through of some amazing career opportunities for education graduates. Even if you are still studying and want to map out what you will do in the future, these career options will help seal the deal. Moreover, the skills you will learn in the process will open all kinds of possibilities. Just remember to take some time to determine which path is correct for you and start charting your road to achieve your goals.
