Regardless of what it is that you would like to do for the rest of your working life, you need a good plan, and for some sectors of the working world, this plan needs to be as detailed as possible. You need to be sure of the jobs market in relation to the studies you undertake, but also ensure that you have the right mindset and commitment to the career path that you have chosen. This article provides these very insights for a career in education.
Why education is a good career move
Education is one of the fastest-growing sectors at the moment and will provide for a feel-good, well-paid career with sustainability. Furthermore, if you have the right foundation, you can go a long way in what is a very professional sector. Education and the skills to teach others are highly transferrable skills and, for example, being able to teach English or engineering in one part of the world will allow you to do so in another, simply based on the fact that the skills inherently required for the role will be the same no matter where you teach. You may need to learn the local language, but the subject-specific skills will be exactly the same. Furthermore, if you have done an internationally recognized course or degree, then being able to use this as the basis for teaching will be acceptable in most countries.
Then there is the money. Teaching may not have been regarded as a highly paid and financially rewarding profession. However, it is clear that teaching is carried out in many guises and at many levels and that the education sector is full of different jobs. It is a sector that has developed immensely, and the type of wages that can be achieved will amaze you. You will need to take your studies to the next level, and for many, this will be a master’s degree in education or their related field and then teaching qualifications to suit.
The reasons are wide and varied as to why a career in education is a good idea, and these will differ for each individual going through this thought process. However, when planning a career, it will be beneficial to think about the points aforementioned and the opportunity for teaching or education to be your international passport to the world.
Where in education? Nursery to university
The range of places or the variety of jobs in education are wide and varied, and from nursery to quantum computing, someone needs to be teaching it. This also means that the qualifications in relation to the wide nature of teaching jobs available are just as wide-ranging. Generally, those who want to teach will start off with a bachelor’s degree and then work their way up from there. However, there are many options, and professionals in niche fields are able to crossover into education by completing postgraduate teaching diplomas and certificates.
Think outside the box; there are admin and IT-related posts that may not need a specific teaching qualification. Examples in this regard range from admissions officer, departmental secretary, bursar, and registrar and will be required in all educational institutions.
Where to start and how to plan
The plan itself will be specific to each individual and the particular sector or subject matter that is being dealt with. But the advice below can be used in a generic sense for all those planning to enter education and pursue it as a sustainable career option.
Build the passion, volunteer, and look for work placements in your holidays. One of the main pieces of advice given by current teachers or those working in the field is to take it seriously. Teaching presents the opportunity to build minds and create and change opinions; without the passion and the intention to take it seriously, you won’t get the most from this profession or sector.
Start with the right foundation. Short courses are great, but one of the best ways to get started in education is a bachelor’s degree or a recognized diploma in teaching and education. Keep in mind that any degree course that you intend to spend time on must be recognized and accredited so that you are then able to use it to look for career options.
If you have the time or the option, then a postgraduate degree is always advised, and a professional masters in education is one of the most recognized degrees that will allow you to move upwards in education. The research component will also permit you to initiate a process of specialization in your chosen field.
The beauty of working in the education field is that it is an accepted part of any job in the sector to want to learn and improve. In a learning environment at either a school, college or university, the mindset is perfect for self and professional development, and the opportunity itself is generally available. This means that, as aforementioned, as a professional in any field, doing a teaching crossover degree or certificate could see you having those long summer holidays off as well as you moving into teaching and academia.
The future of education
As mentioned above, the tech aspect of education is something that you must make part of your planning. With education moving online, there is a huge demand for those able to create and use this online interface to share and produce knowledge and learning. Online learning is going to be the predominant focus in the coming years, and the developments made in this regard through virtual reality and augmented reality have made for an exciting future in education.
Conclusion
With the information presented herein, the next step is to be able to implement the ideas and plans that you develop. Education is a tricky field to understand in that there is such a wide variety of sustainable and enjoyable jobs in the sector, and you will need to have done as much background reading and research as possible to be able to choose the area in education that suits your skills, temperament and ideals.
