Education Career Guides
Prepare for your future.
Understanding Careers in Education
Education is a dynamic, service-oriented career field with various roles intertwining seamlessly to cultivate student success. From teaching the alphabet or advising a college student to spearheading district initiatives or crafting teacher mentorship programs, careers in education provide meaningful, fulfilling opportunities to equip tomorrow’s global leaders.
Careers in education are centered on supporting students and contributing to quality learning experiences. No matter the specific role, education professionals make an impact inside and outside of the classroom. Such responsibility is naturally in demand, with various roles available nationwide.
What Does a Career in Education Look Like?
Education careers offer a combination of hustle and reward. All roles are focused on student excellence and are part of a larger system where each position serves a specific purpose.
There are many positions that have frequent breaks, including summers, that allow for work-life balance. Even though a day in the life looks different for each role, the thread weaving them all together is student success.
Types of Education Careers
The field of education is expansive, where multifaceted teams of experts with unique skills and a passion for learning work together. The first step of an education career path is exploring different roles and determining what interests you most.
American College of Education (ACE) offers education career guides that showcase various roles in the field with key information like responsibilities, salary potential, job outlook and steps to qualify for the job.
Teaching Roles
Teaching roles are marked by classroom settings and often categorized by grade level, specialization or content area.
Education Administrator Roles
Senior leaders in education, often known as administrators, guide schools and districts with vision, community relationships and strategy.
Educational Support Roles
Educational support roles offer focused work in areas that are outside of the classroom but still within various academic and school settings.
Curriculum and Instruction Roles
Curriculum and instruction are essential components of education, and specialized experts support school districts and higher education institutions.
Education Requirements
Many education career paths involve earning a degree in education, but the requirements are not the same across roles. For example, a school counselor would benefit most from a degree in psychology, social work or counseling versus one in education.
Teaching vs. Non-Teaching Paths
Many careers in education follow either teaching or non-teaching paths, but some professionals follow both. For example, many school administration roles build on time as an educator, as some positions may require or strongly prefer classroom experience.
Related Education Programs at ACE
ACE was founded by educators and for educators, so we understand that strong preparation for education careers is essential. That’s why we offer affordable programs with flexible coursework that equip you with relevant, effective and evidence-based knowledge that sets you up for success.
How to Start a Career in Education
Each education career will follow a different pathway, but the starting point is the same across the board. Once you explore options through our education career guides, you can review steps to reach your goals including skills you need, education or licensure requirements, salary potential and more.
FAQs
What are the fastest-growing careers in education?
Reflecting various needs, fast-growing roles include but are not limited to:
Instructional designers
Educational technology specialists
School counselors and mental health professionals
Data and assessment specialists
Multilingual education teachers
Career and technical education instructors
Special education teachers and specialists
Artificial intelligence and learning innovation leaders
Online learning teachers
Adult education professionals
How long does it take to start a career in education?
The amount of time it takes to launch an education career largely depends on the role you’re aspiring to. Entry-level roles like paraeducators or teacher assistants require less education, so you can start sooner. However, if you’re looking to become a licensed educator or administrator, it can take anywhere from four to ten years.
What are advancement opportunities in education careers?
No matter where you start, advancement opportunities are robust. For example, educators often become administrators, who then lead school districts. Paraprofessionals and teacher assistants become licensed educators.
How can I move from teaching into leadership roles?
Moving from teaching into leadership roles most often requires relevant experience and additional education. Some state and federal criteria also include licensure.
What skills are most important for success in education careers?
At the forefront, a passion for learning and serving students is essential. You’ll also want to have strong skills in communication, organization, adaptability, patience, collaboration and more.