K-12
Common Career Paths
- Teaching:
- Pre-school
- Elementary
- Middle
- Secondary
- Administration:
- Principal
- Superintendent
- Specializations:
- Reading
- Title 1
- Library/Information services
- Special education
- Career/Technical education
- Specializations continued:
- Enrichment
- English language acquisition
- Curriculum supervision
- Subject area supervision
- Tutoring services
- Test preparation
Employers
- Elementary, middle and secondary schools:
- Public
- Private
- Montessori
- Magnet
- Charter
- Day care centers
- Nursery schools
- Boards of education
- Tutoring and learning centers
- Test preparation companies
- Overseas schools for military dependents
- Language immersion programs
Strategies
- Obtain experience working with target age group through volunteer or part-time positions.
- Demonstrate patience, creativity and the ability to work well with people of various backgrounds.
- Develop strong communications skills to deal effectively with students, staff and parents.
- Complete a college level teacher preparation program to obtain certification for desired subject area or grade level. Requirements vary by state.
- Private schools may not require certification.
- Pursue multiple certifications to increase employability.
- Earn master’s degree for higher pay and for a hiring edge in some districts.
- Join related organizations such as National Education Association, International Reading Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, etc. to learn about current issues in the field.
- Research school administration graduate programs and certification requirements for principal positions.
- Graduate study is required for most “specialization” fields. Obtain master’s degree in area to become a specialist.
Higher Education
Common Career Paths
- Administration and Student Support Services:
- Admissions
- Financial aid
- Academic advising
- Disability services
- Development
- Alumni affairs
- Distance education
- International education and study abroad
- Student Affairs (e.g., residence life, student activities, orientation, leadership, greek life, diversity, equity, & inclusion, recreational sports, career services)
- Teaching
- Research
- Information/Library services
Employers
- Four-year colleges and universities
- Two-year and community colleges
- Technical schools
- Medical and professional schools
Strategies
- Earn Ph.D. in content area for teaching and research at four-year institutions. A master’s degree may be sufficient for teaching at two-year schools.
- Pursue Ph.D. in higher education for upper level positions in university administration.
- Acquire minimum of a master’s degree in student personnel, student development, counseling or a related field for student affairs positions.
- Seek experience in higher education through student positions (e.g., resident assistant, orientation leader, peer mentor, etc.).
- Secure significant experience in related field for technical school positions.
- Obtain a master’s degree in library or information sciences from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
Adult and Continuing Education
Common Career Paths
- In-service education
- Staff development
- Professional development
- Leisure-oriented education
- Career/Technical education
- GED preparation
- Literacy development
- English language acquisition
Employers
- Boards of education
- Colleges and universities
- Two-year and technical schools
- Community organizations (e.g., YMCA, Red Cross)
- Museums
- Professional associations
- Residential care facilities
- Adult day healthcare centers
- Vocational services
- K-12 school systems
- Language schools: overseas and domestic
- Correctional institutions
Strategies
- Develop strong communication skills and the desire to help others.
- Seek volunteer or paid experience in an area of interest (e.g., English language acquisition training, GED preparation, literacy development).
- Research certification and accreditation standards for instructional areas of interest.
- Attain master’s or Ph.D. degree in adult education or a graduate degree in a subject or specialized area.
- Earn a reputation for expertise and experience in a subject, profession, art, craft or trade.
- Demonstrate a repertoire of strategies for teaching learners with varied life experiences: age, skills and abilities, educational level, culture and socioeconomic status.
- Research certification options, visa requirements and overseas schools and programs for teaching abroad.
Business and Communication
Common Career Paths
- Training
- Curriculum development
- Publishing, editing, and technical writing
- Sales
- Customer service
- Management
Employers
- Bookstores
- Publishers: textbook, online, newspaper, magazine, book, educational websites
- Test-preparation companies
- Software companies
- Education-related businesses: toy retailers, educational supply companies
- Public and private corporations
- Self-employed (e.g., tutoring services, consulting, etc.)
Strategies
- Stay current with business and industry literature and news.
- Research companies that utilize teaching/education experience or those that are open to hiring students from “any major.”
- Conduct informational interviews to learn about career paths and to build a network of contacts.
- Seek experience through part-time jobs and internships in business; experience in sales may be necessary for some positions.
- Join related student associations and pursue leadership positions.
- Be prepared to start in entry-level positions such as management trainee programs.
- Learn web page design and software packages relevant to publishing and media. Develop a portfolio.
- Consider earning an advanced degree to specialize in business or communications fields.
Government
Common Career Paths
- Administration
- Planning
- Evaluation
- Management
- Research and writing
- Teaching
- Community affairs
Employers
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Education
- Department of Defense
- Overseas schools for military dependents
- Department of Labor
- Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
- Health and Human Services
- Library of Congress
- Federal government agencies continued:
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National Science Foundation
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- Peace Corps
- Americorps
- Social service agencies
- State and local government
Strategies
- Seek involvement in student government, local political groups, local campaigns, civic organizations, community service projects, etc.
- Acquire experience through volunteering or completing an internship in a government agency.
- Develop strong analytical, verbal, research, writing and leadership skills.
- Build a network of contacts through referrals and informational interviews.
- Become familiar with the government application process. Utilize applicable websites and seek assistance from your college career center.
Nonprofit
Common Career Paths
- Direct service
- Programming
- Administration
- Management
- Public relations
- Fund raising/Development
- Policy analysis
- Research
- Grant writing
- Curator/Archivist
Employers
- Service organizations (e.g., United Way, Red Cross, Goodwill Industries, Salvation Army)
- Youth organizations and camps (e.g., YMCA, YWCA, Young Life, Scouts)
- Community recreation centers
- Immigrant and refugee service providers
- Shelters
- Hospitals and hospices
- Residential treatment facilities
- Adult day health care centers
- Nursing homes
- Adoption agencies
- Churches, synagogues, and mosques
- Correctional institutions
- Museums
Strategies
- Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours.
- Seek experience as a volunteer, intern or paid employee with social service or non-profit organizations.
- Become familiar with government and community resources available for those in need.
- Develop a wide range of skills such as presenting, grant writing and fundraising, as professionals in nonprofit organizations may fill multiple roles.
- Develop writing, research and public speaking skills and the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Supplement coursework in with areas of interest such as business, human services, counseling or psychology.
- Demonstrate knowledge and experience in a specialty area (e.g., public health, environment, urban issues).
Getting Started and Advancing in Major
- Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written. Become skilled in various teaching strategies and technologies.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the field, particularly the desire to work with and help others.
- Obtain part-time, summer, internship or volunteer experience with the intended age group in various settings (e.g., pre-schools, day cares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA’s).
- Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills, interests and networking opportunities.
- Bachelor’s degree is sufficient for certification to teach K-12 in most states. Obtain a master’s degree for advancement and to increase earning potential.
- Advanced degrees are required for specialists, education administration, college teaching and some other professional positions.
- Maintain current knowledge of state and national legislation regarding teacher certification.
- Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to alternative careers:
- Verbal and written communication, teaching and instruction, program planning, organization and record-keeping, working under pressure, meeting deadlines, motivating others, creativity, working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving and research.
Professional Associations
- American Association for Employment in Education
- American Association of School Administrators
- American College Personnel Association
- American Educational Research Association
- American Federation of Teachers
- American Library Association
- American School Counselor Association
- Association for Career and Technical Education
- Association of American Educators
- Association of Teacher Educators
- Council for Exceptional Children
- International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
- NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Education Association
- Phi Delta Kappa International
Related Resources
- American Association of Community Colleges
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
- Department of Defense Schools (DODEA)
- Early Childcare Education Resources
- Education Degrees
- European Council of International Schools
- Institute for Educational Leadership
- Masters in Teaching
- National Association of Independent Schools
- National Association of Private Special Education Centers
- TEACH.org
- Teacher Certification Degrees
- Volunteer Forever – Teaching Abroad
Occupational Outlook
- Adult Literacy and GED Teachers
- Career and Technical Education Teachers
- Health Educators
- High School Teachers
- Instructional Coordinators
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
- Librarians
- Middle School Teachers
- Postsecondary Education Administrators
- Postsecondary Teachers
- Principals
- School and Career Counselors
- Special Education Teachers
- Training and Development Specialists
Employment Opportunities
- Eslbase
- ESLemployment
- HigherEdJobs Online
- International School Services
- Public Service Careers
- Southern Teachers Agency
- Student Affairs.com
- Teach For America
- Teachers-Teachers.com
- The Chronicle of Higher Education
- Transitions Abroad
- University of Northern Iowa Overseas Placement Services for Educators