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What is an Education Major and is it Right for Me?

Do you love helping people and spreading knowledge? Are you passionate about a specific academic subject (or subjects)? If so, an education major might be for you.

What is an education major?

An education major is designed to help college students develop the skills to teach others. Combining the ability to create engaging lessons with the desire to spread knowledge, this major is all about learning the most effective ways to become a teacher. Typical classes in this major include educational psychology, history of education and public policy classes.

Is it right for me?

Fast-moving and always changing, the field of education is best suited for someone who welcomes challenges and looks for variety in their work. An educator’s job never stops; you can never truly know where your influence on others will begin or end and choosing this as a career means that you are dedicated to continually helping others grow intellectually and socially.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding if an education major is right for you:

Am I creative? Do I enjoy looking at something from a variety of perspectives and discovering ways to connect divergent topics?
Am I curious? Do I constantly seek out new technologies, research and ideas?
Am I communicative? Do I listen with the intent to understand others when they are speaking and then find ways to relay information for a diverse population in a manner that they can relate to?
Am I conscientious? Do I make a concerted effort to know the purpose behind my actions and reflect on ways to continually grow?
Am I compassionate? Do I empathize with others and seek to improve the state of the world for all around me?

If you responded “Yes” to all of the above questions, then being an education major might be for you.

What can I do with an education degree?

Although teaching is the obvious career path for those in the field of education, education majors are not limited to teaching once they receive their degree. Education majors can look into positions and graduate degrees involving:

library sciences
instructional technology
special education
administration
curriculum design
counseling
educational development
managerial training
…and more

What do educators earn?

Although this is probably not surprising, most careers in education don’t pay a great deal of money. The average salary for an elementary or high school teacher is $45,000. However, the average salary goes up significantly for educators working at the university level, with full-time professors earning an average of $114,000.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What Types of Skills Are Best for an Education Major? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How Much Should I be Paid at an Entry-Level Job?

What Types of Skills are Best for an Education Major?

A scientist, an actor, a chief executive officer and a philanthropist. What do these four professions have in common? They all possess skills that you will need as an educator.

This is because the list of abilities that define an effective educator is almost endless. However, there are several qualities that the best educators do have in common: curiosity, creativity, communication and compassion.

Curiosity

An educator’s learning is never complete; you must be the type of individual who has an insatiable hunger for knowledge. An educator is the type of person who is curious about what will inspire his students, how his students learn best and how to guide his students to learn as much as possible. Educators cannot be afraid to look ahead, attempting new things and reflecting on the impact of past and current practices.

Creativity

Being an educator requires a great deal of creativity and the ability to generate new ideas and then combine those with prior knowledge in order to problem solve for the best results. What helps one student learn may not work for another, so an educator is always flexible in his thinking, seeking to create novel ways to engage his students.

Communication

As an educator, you must first listen to understand others and then be able to discover ways to relay information for diverse populations in a manner that they can relate to. Because education is a major in which the expression of thoughts is vital, educators have to enjoy other’s stories and seek them out.

Compassion

Knowledge is meaningless without an underlying desire to use it for the betterment and welfare of others. Tolerance, acceptance and the ability to empathize with others are important elements of compassion and vital for an effective educator to possess. A compassionate educator is an advocate for her students, for himself and for the profession.

In summary, skills required for education majors can vary but the dispositions that guide how skills are used is vital; an educator should be intellectually curious with the ability to creatively problem solve in order to make informed decisions for the good of all involved. Education as a career path will reap rewards beyond the material to those of inspiration, gratitude, kindness, and the extension of knowledge for future generations.

Next, learn more about this college major such as Global Studies and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Set Career Goals.

Types of Internships for Education Majors

Being an education major gives you the skills you need to teach both children and adults. It’s a great career for those who are interested in the educational development of others and who are driven by helping their students succeed. If you’re currently working towards completing your major in education, taking on an internship will give you some wonderful insights into the career paths available to you after graduation.

Here are some of the most common internships for education majors:

Department of Education internship

Government internships offer a lot of great benefits, especially if you’re interested in educational policy and administration. For instance, Department of Education internships include an internship on educational policy with the potential to take on projects related to policy analysis, research and community outreach. This is a great internship for someone interested in policy administration who wants to make an impact at a national level.

Educational nonprofit internship

An internship at a nonprofit is a great opportunity for learning and growth, allowing you to take on roles within and outside your area of expertise. From grant writing to planning presentations and assisting with fundraising events, you stand to gain a ton of experience while also building your skill set. Education-related nonprofits, from youth homes to online education platforms, allow you to apply what you’ve learned in school while giving you the satisfaction of working towards a great cause. This is a wonderful internship for someone who is considering going into the nonprofit sector.

Elementary school or high school internship

Internships in the administrative department of an elementary school or high school will give you exposure to what a career in administration looks like. Your responsibilities may range from basic clerical tasks such as gathering and compiling data to coordinating deadlines for projects and recommending solutions for identified problems. In addition, you may also get the opportunity to attend professional meetings and sit in on classes in your chosen subject area.

Ed-tech internship

If you’re passionate about revolutionizing education with technology and media, an internship at an ed-tech company could be just right for you. These internship openings can be found at ed-tech companies focusing on everything from online learning courses to learning-based apps. Your responsibilities may include content production or marketing depending on the specific type of internship you apply for. You may also contribute to brainstorming sessions and monitor and analyze user engagement to optimize the learning process. An internship in the ed-tech field is great for anyone interested in a career not solely focused on teaching or administration.

College campus internship

Colleges offer on-campus internships in areas such as admissions, alumni relations, student life or even career development. Depending on which office you end up interning with, your responsibilities may vary from more administrative tasks to more research-based ones. Some types of internships you may find on campuses include being a marketing intern, a graduate programs intern or a summer research intern. Whether you’d like to pursue teaching, administration or research, internships across college campuses present a lot of opportunity for learning about higher education.

By taking on one or more internships during your time in college, you’ll gain valuable exposure within the field of education and beyond. This is a wonderful way to build your skills and increase your professional experience, while also helping you to carve out a career path that’s right for you.

Next, learn more about this college major such as What is an Education Major and is it Right for Me? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as How to Write a Resume That Stands Out.

Types of Entry-Level Jobs for Education Majors

If you’re an education major with a passion for teaching others, you might be wondering about the various career paths you can take after graduation. Should you apply for a job as a high school or elementary school teacher or look for a position in a related field like the nonprofit sector? The answer depends on your interests but the great news is that education majors are very much in demand.

Here are some of the most common entry-level jobs for education majors:

High school teacher

As a high school teacher of one or more subjects, you’ll make lesson plans, grade student assignments and prepare students for state-required standardized tests. You’ll also work with students both inside and outside the classroom on class projects related to the subjects you teach. A job as a high school teacher can be fun, challenging and creative because you’ll be constantly learning as you teach. This is a great role for someone who wants to work with teenagers and help them develop the skills and motivation needed to succeed in college and beyond.

Elementary school teacher

An elementary school teacher makes learning fun by engaging students and helping them grasp the fundamentals of different subjects. Even more importantly, elementary school teachers encourage students to express themselves, think creatively, solve problems and act empathetically. Being an elementary school teacher is wonderful opportunity to help young students build confidence and develop a genuine love of learning.

Counselor

As a high school or college counselor, you’ll offer students one-on-one attention on their academic coursework and their personal and professional goals. If you’re working at a college or university, you could also offer advice on financial aid and help with career-related decisions. This is a great position for someone interested in helping students navigate the challenges that come along with their academic lives.

Nonprofit coordinator

As a coordinator at a nonprofit, you’ll use your interpersonal skills to organize and execute programs and events. You could also work as an education coordinator, helping to coordinate educational activities and review existing educational initiatives. You might also be in charge of coordinating programs with family and community organizations and monitoring program evaluations. This is a great role for someone interested in working for a nonprofit and someone who thrives in a position where they can help others.

Teaching assistant

As a teaching assistant at an elementary school or high school, you’ll assist teachers with class preparation and grading, as well as help students who need additional help. This is a great role for someone who is interested in working with students in a hands-on way or someone who is considering becoming a teacher and wants to get some additional experience in a classroom environment.

No matter what type of entry-level job you decide to apply for, as an education major you’ll be in the unique position of being able to make a significant social impact. To find out which role is right for you, consider taking on an internship to get the kinds of skills and exposure you need to make your decision.