Finding the Teaching Job That's Right for You
Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions, and with the right credentials, you can start your career in education today!
A job in education can be one of the most rewarding careers paths one can take. From inspiring young minds to sharing your skills and knowledge with others, teaching can bring out the best in people and often develops into lifelong pursuits for those in the industry. Attaining the necessary professional degrees and certifications, though, as well as finding the teaching job best suited for you, can be a challenging task. But through researching your interests and the available options in the market, you will be able to make an informed decision about which career path to take in the education industry.
As you begin the search process, the first step to take is to determine what field and level of teaching or administration you want to pursue. Do you like working with small children? Then a job as a pre-school or kindergarten teacher might be best for you. Are you interested in school and classroom administration? Perhaps a career as a school principal is your calling. Or maybe you are interested in working at the college or university level with older students? Asking yourself these kinds of questions will help to spur you on to determining exactly what kind of job you are seeking in the field of education. Substitute teaching, for example, is a great way to test the waters and see how you like the classroom experience with either younger or older children.
Different Fields of Education to Consider
There are many different fields of education to consider during your search process. Adult and higher education generally refers to colleges and universities. Distance education, though, is becoming an increasingly viable option for many adult learners and is a growing sector of the education industry. Distance learning takes place through the Internet, with students logging into video seminars and submitting assignments via e-mail. Early childhood education focuses on small children up to pre-school age. This includes other programs that take place before the traditional type of schooling begins.
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Following this level, K-12 education is the next grouping, including students from kindergarten up through high school age. In addition to these categories, many rewarding careers are available in peripheral roles to traditional teaching. Special education experts work with children with special needs, such as those with autism or other developmental disabilities. Librarians and resource managers work with students in school media centers, assisting them with research and other learning activities. Those working in education technology and leadership support the programs of a school through management and curriculum design and maintenance.
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After you’ve decided what type of teaching career you’re interested in pursuing, it’s vitally important to determine what credentials you will need in order to attain your desired position. Most elementary and secondary teaching jobs require some kind of certification, either at a general level or in a particular subject matter like math or English. Many positions require a bachelor’s degree in education, though often, a bachelor’s degree in your particular area of interest (i.e., biology) will qualify. Certifications for teaching small children or those with special needs can often be obtained through separate training programs or through a higher-level educational program. Teaching at the university or college level most often requires an advanced degree, such as a master’s or Ph.D. Once you determine which credentials you will need, you can then begin researching which organizations offer programs you can take to gain the necessary credentials. Then you will be on your way to entering one of the most rewarding career professions out there today.
Fifteen Colleges and Universities That Specialize in Education:
1. University of California at Davis – Davis, CA (530) 752-1011
2. Case Western Reserve University – Cleveland, OH (216) 368-2000
3. University of Florida – Gainesville, FL (352) 392-3261
4. University of New Orleans – New Orleans, LA (504) 280-6000
5. University of Phoenix – online programs (866) 766-0766
6. Walden University – online programs – info@directoryofschools.com
7. State University of New York at Buffalo – Buffalo, NY (716) 645-2000
8. Brandeis University – Waltham, MA (781) 736-2000
9. Penn Foster College – online programs 1- 888 - 427- 2500
10. Pennsylvania State University – University Park, PA
11. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (423) 755-4111
12. The University of Texas at Austin (512) 471-3434
13. The University of Maryland at Baltimore (410) 706-3100
14. The University of Connecticut at Stamford (860) 486-2000
15. Colorado State University – Boulder, CO (970) 491-1101