Educators influence the lives of their students in more ways than you can imagine. They help guide students to what career paths are best for them and inspire them to be more diligent inside and outside the classroom. Not to mention, seeing your students learn and progress in their personal and professional lives also makes being an educator very satisfying. That said, careers in education entail a wide variety of teaching and managerial responsibilities while still promoting healthy one-on-one, personal connections with students.
If you want to pursue a career in education, there are numerous options to choose from. So let’s look at some of the best jobs you can score in this dynamic field.
School principal
As a school principal, you will have to oversee and manage everything within your educational institution. You’ll be in charge of developing educational policies, managing day-to-day operations, setting educational objectives, overseeing recruitment, etc. You will have to interact with students, teachers, staff members, and parents in multiple ways.
To qualify for the role of a school principal, you must first obtain a bachelor’s degree in education, followed by a master’s. Moreover, a doctoral-level degree in educational leadership and relevant teaching/managerial experience will improve your chances of employment. According to Payscale, school principals earn around 91,584 per year.
College professor
As a college professor, you will have to help students learn about various academic subjects. For example, you could teach students about music, art, history, engineering, or technology. You will also have to conduct research and develop lesson plans. You can choose to teach undergrad or postgrad students. But this will depend on your educational credentials. Moreover, you will have to engage with students and their families, counsel them, and help them navigate academic and sometimes personal, hurdles. The students’ learning experience rests mainly on your shoulders.
To apply for such a career, you must first acquire a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s in education. Obtaining an Ed.D. or Ph.D. will also be helpful. The subject you teach depends on your interests and qualifications. According to BLS, the median salary of a college professor is around 80,560 dollars per year.
School counselor
While school or career counselors might help students with mental health issues and personal problems, they also offer career guidance and direct them to financial resources. If you choose this career path, you will help students identify the next steps in their educational journey through vocational and academic counseling. Moreover, you also play a crucial role in spotting students who suffer from behavioral problems, abuse, and trauma-related issues. You might also have to collaborate with administrators and teachers to help students achieve academic goals.
To work as a school or career counselor, you must obtain a master’s of education in school counseling. After fulfilling the necessary education requirements, you must also acquire a practicing license. However, the job criteria and responsibilities can vary depending on the educational institute and the state you work in. According to BLS, a school or career counselor can earn an average salary of around 58,120 dollars per year.
Special education teacher
Special education teachers are responsible for instructing students with physical, mental, and learning disabilities. They develop IEPs (individualized education programs) to help and support every student’s progress. These programs typically focus on every student’s unique requirements. Furthermore, these professionals work closely with teachers, counselors, staff members, and parents to identify the best instruction method for each special needs student.
To work in this role, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in education, followed by a certification or degree in special education. However, this may vary depending on the school or state you work in. According to BLS, special education teachers earn around 61,500 dollars per year.
Chief academic officer
As a chief academic officer, you will be responsible for creating and researching academic courses. Also known as directors of education, chief academic officers also coordinate, plan, and direct educational programs at the secondary education level. After creating a course or academic program, you will have to track its performance at a university or college level. Throughout the entire monitoring process, you will work with teachers and other staff members to respond to faculty and student complaints.
To work as a chief academic officer, you must earn a master’s degree in education and gather working experience at an administrative level. Furthermore, some educational institutes also require professionals to obtain a doctoral degree in educational leadership. According to Payscale, the median salary for chief academic officers is 130,000 dollars per year. However, CAOs with more than ten years of experience can earn 145,000.
Postsecondary administrator
As a postsecondary administrator, you’ll be in charge of various managerial responsibilities related to housing, residential life, admission, and multicultural affairs. Typically a postsecondary administrator is employed by a college, school, or university. If you opt for this role, you will have to develop administrative policies. You will also have to advise students, manage information and budgets, and help students acquire financial aid. You will also have to maintain academic databases. So your tech skills will come in handy.
To qualify for this job, you will have to obtain a master’s in education or an Ed.D. or Ph.D. in a related field. You can also opt for a qualification in educational leadership, higher education administration, student affairs, or educational law. According to BLS, postsecondary administrators earn an average salary of around 97,500 dollars per year.
Conclusion
Like most sectors out there, there are numerous high-paying career paths in teaching and education. However, if you want to work in such positions, you must acquire the proper education and experience. A bachelor’s and master’s in counseling, education administration, and education will allow you to score most managerial and administrative level posts. References and previous working experience will help you get hired. If you love being around students and draw satisfaction from improving their learning outcomes, consider one of the careers mentioned above.
