General Information:

Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
Develop good computer skills.
Demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the field.
Need desire to work with and help people.
Obtain part-time, summer, internship or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings: pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA’s, etc.
Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills and interests.
Decide on level of teaching and specific area of interest.
Bachelor’s degree is sufficient for certification/licensure to teach K-12 in most states. Obtain a master’s degree for advancement and increased earning potential. Advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching and other professional positions.
For career options outside of education, identify transferable skills learned in teaching that are applicable to alternative careers: effective communication both verbal and written, teaching and instruction, program planning, organization and record-keeping, working under pressure and meeting deadlines, motivational skills, creativity, working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving and research skills.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in Education:

K-12: Areas & EmployersAreas – K-12
Teaching: Pre-school , Elementary, Middle, Secondary
Administration: Principalship, Superintendency
Special Services: Guidance Counseling, School Psychology, School Social Work, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Audiology and Speech Pathology, Library/Information Services, Special Education, Curriculum Supervision, Subject Area Supervision
Employers
Elementary, middle and secondary schools: public, private, Montessori, etc.
Day care centers and nursery schools
Boards of Education
K-12: StrategiesStrategies
Complete a college level teacher preparation program. Obtain teaching certificate/license for desired subject area and/or grade level. Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state. Obtain dual certification for better employability. Private schools may not require certification or licensure. Obtain master’s degree in subject area for increased employability. Get involved in student teacher organizations. Acquire teaching experience. Obtain Ph.D. and certificate in school administration. Graduate study required for “special service” fields. Obtain master’s degree in area to become specialist. Requirements for certification and/or accreditation vary by state.
Higher Education: Areas & EmployersAreas – Higher Education
Teaching
Research
Administration
Student Affairs
Information/Library Services
Employers
Four-year colleges and universities
Two-year and community colleges
Technical schools
Medical and professional schools
Higher Education: StrategiesStrategies
Earn Ph.D. to teach and research at four-year institutions. Master’s or Ph.D. degree is required to teach at two-year schools. Earn a Ph.D. in higher education administration for upper level positions in university administration. Earn master’s in student personnel, student development or counseling for student affairs positions. Obtain master’s in library/information sciences. Gain related experience through student positions such as Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, etc. Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.
Adult and Continuing Education: Areas & EmployersAreas – Adult and Continuing Education
Inservice Education
Staff Development
Professional Development
Leisure-oriented Education
GED Preparation
Literacy Development
English as a Second Language
Employers
K-12 school systems
Boards of Education
Colleges and universities
Two-year and technical schools
Community organizations: YMCA, Red Cross, etc.
Correctional institutions
Hospitals
Museums
Professional associations
Nursing homes/Adult day care
Vocational services
Adult and Continuing Education: StrategiesStrategies
Attain a master’s or Ph.D. degree in adult education or a graduate degree in a subject or specialized area. Gain a reputation of expertise and experience in a subject, profession, art, craft or trade. Obtain teaching or instructional experience. May need certification or accreditation.
Business and Industry: Areas & EmployersAreas – Business and Industry
Training and Development
Human Resources
Sales
Customer Service
Publishing and Technical Writing
Consulting
Employers
Public and private corporations
Consulting firms
Marketing companies
Bookstores
Publishers: Textbook, newspaper, magazine, book
Test-preparation companies
Software companies
Staffing agencies
Business and Industry: StrategiesStrategies
Take some general business and computer courses. Earn a graduate degree in human resource development. Gain experience in organizational development or marketing. Become current with business and industry literature and news.
Learn desktop publishing and other software packages.
Government: Areas & EmployersAreas – Government
Administration
Planning
Evaluation
Management
Research and Writing
Teaching
Social Work
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, National Archives, National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, Peace Corps, Social service agencies, Vista, State and local government.
Government: StrategiesStrategies
Learn federal, state and local job application procedures. Gain experience and an advanced, typically Ph.D, degree for top positions in government.
Non-Profit: Areas & EmployersAreas – Non-Profit
Teaching or Training
Programming
Public Relations
Administration
Fundraising
Employers
Adoption agencies
Scouts
Camps
United Way agencies
YMCA/YWCA
Group homes
Mental health clinics
Community recreation centers
Other public or private social service organizations
Non-Profit: StrategiesStrategies
Gain experience through volunteer work or internships. Develop writing and public speaking skills. Learn to work with people of different ages and backgrounds. Add additional coursework in area of interest such as human services, counseling or psychology. Consider certification in special education for greater employability.