Considering an education career? The field of education is not only a rewarding one, but one loaded with benefits and opportunities for advancement and mobility. Not to mention there are few careers that have such a meaningful impact on our society. "There are a few very important jobs in this world," says career coach Brian Drum, managing director for Drum Associates, a New York-based recruiting firm. "Parenting is the most important, and then teaching. Really, it's almost a calling that people get to become teachers -- it takes a special kind of person."If you're feeling that call to an education career, you'll need to educate yourself first. In all 50 states, teaching in public schools requires you to be licensed by the State Board of Education where you'd like to teach. Minimal requirements for teaching certification usually include a bachelor's degree, along with completion of an approved teacher training program, which will include a set number of both subject and education credits. You'll also need to perform student teaching duties prior to obtaining teaching certification. If you've already earned your degree in a particular subject you'd like to teach, but have no education credits per se, investigate alternative routes to obtaining your teaching certification in your state, which usually include on-the-job training, along with simultaneous education coursework. Though an education degree can yield a lucrative career, the financial rewards of teaching certification are secondary to that passion for the job that motivates most successful educators. "People don't go into education for the money," explains Drum. "There is something about the profession that's fueled by the content rather than the compensation issues." According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for teachers is $31,408. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the top 10 percent of teachers earn between approximately $66,240 and $71,370. Furthermore, to be successful in an education career, make sure your interest is coming from the right place. "A lot of people go into the profession for the wrong reasons," says Drum. "Though it's a perk, getting your summers off is not a good reason. The job is demanding -- I've heard people say every hour in the classroom requires three hours of preparation. Granted, over a period of time you establish routines and lessons you use over and over again. But it's hard work." Is an education career calling you? Start exploring how an education degree can help you answer that call today.
About the author:
http://www.collegebound.net/content
Paul D. Rosevear is a frequent contributor to The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.
|
Facebook
del.icio.us
Digg