About Careers in Education

A career in education can be one of the most rewarding careers out there. Many educators chose their field because they wanted to make an impact on society, and to be an integral part of shaping our youth and guiding their development. Other positive aspects like flexibility and in-demand positions make educational careers one of the most popular choices for college students.

Education Administrator

One of the highest paying careers in the education industry is education administrator. Job titles in the education administrator field include principals, deans, department heads, and district administrators. These positions can entail overseeing teaching staff, disciplining students, and overseeing the district in general. Salaries range from between $45,050 and $160,500 with the median salary being $82,275, depending on the position. Education administrators work year-round, and are often expected to put in overtime. Medical benefits, paid vacation, and tuition cuts for family make education administration a complete package. This is a great choice for those who excel in leadership, possess managerial skills, and can handle stress well. Most education administrators advance to their position after being in the education field first and typically require a master’s degree and license for educational administration. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that between 2008 and 2018 the demand for education administrators will rise by eight percent.

Curriculum Developer

A second educational career that is on the rise and doesn’t involve actual classroom teaching is curriculum developer. The median salary is $58,780, and the salary range is from $33,520 to $93,340. Ideal candidates for curriculum developers are creative, confident, handle stressful situations with ease, and possess analytical skills. These skills and traits will be used in positions like instructional coordinator and director of instructional material. Basically, curriculum developers are behind the scenes helping to develop and implement the curriculum a learning institution will learn. This is a year-round position, and may entail working long hours and weekends. Typically, a master’s degree in teaching or education administration is required along with other teaching licenses or certificates. Some institutions may require additional specialized certifications. The BLS is estimating a 23 percent increase in job availability between 2008 and 2018.

Higher Education Teacher – Professor, Assistant Professor, and Graduate Student Teacher

A top education career for those seeking hands-on classroom experience is a post-secondary educator, or as it’s better known as, higher education teacher. This type of educator could be a college professor, assistant professor, graduate student teacher, or technical teacher. Higher education teaching positions are appealing because the student body is interested in the coursework and therefor is more engaged and open to the instructor. Job placement is on the rise with the BLS predicting a 15 percent increase by 2018, but that number does not specify a difference between tenure and non-tenure positions. Educational requirements include having a master’s degree, and most four year institutions will require a Ph.D. People who are organized, able to motivate others, and are generally well educated in the basics will make good post-secondary educators. The general salary for post-secondary educators ranges from $28,870 to $121,850 with the median salary being $58,830. Resource: What is a College Professor?

K-12 Teacher

Educators who wish to work with the younger generations may consider being a K-12 teacher. Elementary and high school teachers should be enthusiastic, energetic, well-organized, flexible, and above all, open-minded! Enjoying being around children and adolescents is also a plus. The typical range of salary for kindergarten through twelfth grade teachers is from $30,970 to $80,970. Schools generally require a bachelor’s degree in education, and teachers must possess a state teaching license that is valid in the state they intend to teach in. Additionally, educators must continue their education and keep their skill set current with teaching trends. Teachers should be knowledgeable in every subject, and can choose specialize in a certain subject like biology or world history for teaching in high school.

Special Education

A career in special education is a top pick for people who enjoy a challenge, are compassionate and understanding, and have strong leadership skills. Most positions require special education teachers to have a bachelor’s degree in education as well as various certificates or licenses in specialized fields. Special education teachers may work in their own classroom or assist special needs students in a mainstream classroom setting. The growth rate for these positions is predicted to grow by 17 percent by 2018. The median salary for this career path is $50,723, and the salary range is between $33,370 and $82,000.

School Counselor

Another rewarding career path in the education industry is that of a school counselor. The salary range for an educational counselor is between $29,360 and $82,330. School counselors are responsible for helping their students make wise educational and career choices, and help them deal with social or personal issues such as bullying, drug use, and loss. According to the BLS, the increased awareness of these social issues will cause the demand for school counselor positions to rise by as much as 17 percent by 2018. Ideal candidates for this type of position are people who have strong communication skills, are compassionate, and who have a general understanding of academic procedures. Many states require counselors to hold a master’s degree in in counseling from an accredited institution. Individual schools may seek applicants with specialized licenses or certificates in areas such as psychology or human services.

A career in the education field can have its fair share of challenges, but many agree the rewards outnumber the challenges by far. Molding the future leaders of the world, teachers and administrators alike take much pride in the services they provide.