What Job Roles Are There in the Education Sector

The education sector is a very broad field that has many different job roles available. If you are interested in pursuing a new carer path, there are many opportunities within the education sector.

Jobs in education are almost always in high demand, as there is always a need for teaching and learning. A career in education can be one of the most secure and stable choices that you can make, and there is often a high level of transferability to different roles within the sector. But what different roles are there in the education sector that you can choose from? Here we will take a look at some of the options available.

Kindergarten Teacher

In most states, kindergarten teachers teach and look after children from the ages of 4 to 6. Kindergarten teachers generally require less specific knowledge of different subjects than educators of older age groups do, but childcare skills must be significant for this job role. The average annual salary for a kindergarten teacher is approximately $57,000.

Elementary School Teacher

The average annual salary of an elementary school teacher is roughly the same as that of a kindergarten teacher. An elementary school teacher teaches children from the end of kindergarten through to grade 5 or 6 in most institutions (although some elementary schools go up to grades 7 and 8). At elementary school, an increased knowledge of specific subjects such as English, math, history, and sciences is likely needed.

Middle School Teacher

Middle school teachers usually teach children and adolescents from the ages of around 10 to 14. This age range often requires specific skills to teach and look after.

High School Teacher

Wages for high school teachers tend to be slightly higher than wages for teachers of younger age groups. The average annual salary for a high school teacher is around $60,000. For high school teachers, the skills needed are less about childcare and more about knowledge and qualifications in specific subject areas; however, communication and general teaching skills are also important.

Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers specialize in teaching children or adults with learning difficulties and/or physical/cognitive disabilities. This job role requires patience, communication skills, and a caring nature. The average salary of a special education teacher is roughly comparable to that of a kindergarten teacher.

Teaching Assistant

Teaching assistants are needed at most levels of education to assist teachers with general supervision and teaching tasks. Although the wage for teaching assistants is relatively low (an average of around $12 an hour), this role is a useful way to get onto the career path towards becoming a fully trained teacher.

College Professor

With an average annual salary of over $65,000, college professors have a significant increase in wages from other teachers. However, the qualifications needed to teach a subject at this level are extensive, and professors also usually need to carry out academic research and publish papers and books.

Careers Adviser

Careers advice is an important part of education at high school level and beyond, as well as for independent training providers. Careers advisers can earn a variety of wages depending on the institution that they work for.

Counselor

Counselors for schools, colleges, and other educational institutions are becoming increasingly valued as awareness of mental health and student wellbeing grows. A counselor needs to have sufficient knowledge of psychology and therapy, as well as the skills of listening and communicating.

Education Administrator

Education institutions of all types and at all levels need effective administration to function and operate effectively on a daily basis. An education administrator is responsible for handling students’ data and arranging timetables and schedules. If your background is in administration roles, this role could be a good fit for you.

Languages Teacher

Teaching English as a foreign language can be extremely rewarding. Compared to other roles in education, the qualifications required are usually less time-consuming and more accessible to obtain. This role can also offer you the opportunity to teach in a variety of places around the world, so it is a good option if you love to travel.

Museum Education Officer

Educational institutions are not just schools and colleges—public museums also play a vital role in providing education to communities. It is not just curators and the displays themselves that are important when it comes to providing education. Museum education officers are in charge of developing educational material and planning interactive exhibits and tours.

Private Tutor

There are countless different skills that you can offer private tuition in. It could be a particular musical instrument, creative writing, or even being a dance instructor. If you have a skill that others may want to learn, becoming a private tutor can be a flexible and interesting vocation.

Youth Worker

Youth workers usually work with young people who are vulnerable and/or affected by issues such as crime, poverty, abuse, or unemployment. The role of a youth worker is usually less about teaching specific knowledge in the way that a teacher would, and more about teaching general personal and emotional skills to empower disadvantaged young people.

How Can You Start a Career in Education?

There is not a single path to starting a career in education, as each individual job role in the sector requires different experiences and qualifications. For some roles, a basic teacher training exam and on-the-job training (for example, as a teaching assistant) will be sufficient, and for others, higher-level qualifications may be needed. There are online EdD organizational leadership courses available for this.

Volunteering can also be a great way of getting onto the right path and is a good first step if you are unsure where you should start. You may be able to find work placements and other voluntary opportunities through career services or on company websites. Building up a network of contacts can also offer you an advantage.

The most important thing that you will need to have to start a career in education is a desire to help people and share knowledge. If you have this foundation, you are likely to find a way to get into the education sector!