Nobody becomes an educator solely for the money. Sure, you can enjoy a rewarding career, but most people get into education because they’re passionate about it. Many educators realize that they have the drive and vision needed to make a bigger impact.
In some cases, this can entail switching to an administrative role. Others simply want to lean into their strengths and work on a different side of the academic world. Follow along as we highlight 6 new career and degree paths for educators looking to make a broader impact.
Broaden Your Impact with These Secondary Education Careers
Teachers have many responsibilities, and they can have a huge impact on students’ lives. However, some people naturally want to impact larger groups of people in different ways. You can broaden your academic impact with several secondary career paths for educators, such as:
1. Educational Consultant
What better way to make a broad impact than to help schools, families, and students alike? Educational consultants affect the education process at many levels and help teachers as much as they help students. They help audit and alter lesson plans to develop a curriculum that caters to all types of students.
Educational consultants can also collaborate with schools to train and support teachers, develop programs, and implement new strategies. This can include integrating engaging technology to help students retain information.
Educational consultants can even consult on the admissions process to ensure inclusivity. It’s a logical next step for teachers who want to use their skills beyond the classroom. As an educational consultant, you must make use of experience, data, and intuition to do what’s best for teachers, students, and families.
2. Curriculum Developer
Curriculum development is a part of educational consultation, but curriculum developers specialize in it. As a curriculum developer, you must design curricula for students of all ages and academic stages. Curriculum developers create the academic structure of lesson plans to ensure great student outcomes.
They affect teachers as much as students, as they largely determine what teachers must work with in the classroom. As a teacher, you can use your experience to right the wrongs of the past and embrace forward-thinking academic approaches. Becoming a curriculum developer gives you the chance to improve the academic experience for teachers and students.
Ideally, you should get a master’s degree if you want to become a curriculum developer. You can even balance your teaching schedule while taking master’s degree courses, so you don’t sacrifice income. As long as you assess academic needs and create practical solutions, you can thrive as a curriculum developer.
3. Educational Technology Specialist
Nobody understands the importance of educational technology (EdTech) as much as educators. Educators have watched technology change and become more prominent in the academic world for years. Educational technology specialists are responsible for integrating EdTech into classrooms and showing educators how to use it.
They can train teachers on how to harness EdTech in a way that benefits themselves and the students. EdTech specialists make use of data and experience to see what technologies can benefit students the most. This sometimes involves researching specific districts and age groups, as such factors affect what EdTech they can benefit from.
EdTech specialists often work closely with school administrators to see what they need. Of course, integrating EdTech can be expensive, so finding budget-friendly solutions is sometimes a part of the job.
4. School Counselor
You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like the personal side of teaching is more rewarding than the academic side. After all, you can set a great example and leave a strong impression on students as an educator. This may inspire some educators to switch gears and become a school counselor.
School counselors help students with everything from academic aid and higher education advice to emotional counseling. As a school counselor, you can help students navigate the many complex changes people go through as children and teenagers.
The transition from educator to counselor is quite rewarding, both personally and professionally. Much like becoming a teacher, becoming a counselor entails getting a new degree. You can kickstart your counseling career with a Master’s in Educational Counseling.
5. Superintendent
Some educators want to switch to a career that focuses on the big picture. In that case, it’s worth considering a career as a school superintendent. While a principal oversees a school, a superintendent oversees a school district.
Superintendents must create policies, communicate with the school board, and manage the district’s budget. In many ways, a superintendent is the face of the district, and it comes with a lot of responsibilities. School superintendents must exhibit several unique strengths, such as leadership skills and business prowess.
That’s because budget allocation is a big part of the job, and it sometimes entails making tough decisions. Enroll in master’s degree courses and specialize in educational leadership if you want to become a superintendent. It is a tough job, but you can make a big difference in your community as a school superintendent.
6. Principal
Many people start their careers as educators with the intent of eventually becoming principals. That’s because becoming a principal feels like a logical step for educators who want to have a more administrative role. This is a great career path, but you must manage your work schedule while furthering your education.
For example, you may need to work during the day and take master’s degree courses at night. That’s because you must have a master’s degree in educational leadership or academic administration. Naturally, you must work your way up the ladder to become a principal.
It’s worth the journey, as years of experience as a teacher can make you a great principal. Hone your leadership skills and think about what kind of a leader you want to be. A strong principal can set the tone for the students and teachers alike, and that’s a special privilege.
The Sky is the Limit for Educators
If you’re an educator, then you’ve already worked hard and proven your drive and talent. That’s why you can’t hesitate if you want to switch to a role that better suits your passion. Whether you need to pursue an advanced degree or learn new skills, you have what it takes to get your dream job.
Educators make great administrators, superintendents, school counselors, and educational consultants. Your skills will translate, and you’ll be glad when you see your hard work pay off.
Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren
With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.
In some cases, this can entail switching to an administrative role. Others simply want to lean into their strengths and work on a different side of the academic world. Follow along as we highlight 6 new career and degree paths for educators looking to make a broader impact.
Broaden Your Impact with These Secondary Education Careers
Teachers have many responsibilities, and they can have a huge impact on students’ lives. However, some people naturally want to impact larger groups of people in different ways. You can broaden your academic impact with several secondary career paths for educators, such as:
1. Educational Consultant
What better way to make a broad impact than to help schools, families, and students alike? Educational consultants affect the education process at many levels and help teachers as much as they help students. They help audit and alter lesson plans to develop a curriculum that caters to all types of students.
Educational consultants can also collaborate with schools to train and support teachers, develop programs, and implement new strategies. This can include integrating engaging technology to help students retain information.
Educational consultants can even consult on the admissions process to ensure inclusivity. It’s a logical next step for teachers who want to use their skills beyond the classroom. As an educational consultant, you must make use of experience, data, and intuition to do what’s best for teachers, students, and families.
2. Curriculum Developer
Curriculum development is a part of educational consultation, but curriculum developers specialize in it. As a curriculum developer, you must design curricula for students of all ages and academic stages. Curriculum developers create the academic structure of lesson plans to ensure great student outcomes.
They affect teachers as much as students, as they largely determine what teachers must work with in the classroom. As a teacher, you can use your experience to right the wrongs of the past and embrace forward-thinking academic approaches. Becoming a curriculum developer gives you the chance to improve the academic experience for teachers and students.
Ideally, you should get a master’s degree if you want to become a curriculum developer. You can even balance your teaching schedule while taking master’s degree courses, so you don’t sacrifice income. As long as you assess academic needs and create practical solutions, you can thrive as a curriculum developer.
3. Educational Technology Specialist
Nobody understands the importance of educational technology (EdTech) as much as educators. Educators have watched technology change and become more prominent in the academic world for years. Educational technology specialists are responsible for integrating EdTech into classrooms and showing educators how to use it.
They can train teachers on how to harness EdTech in a way that benefits themselves and the students. EdTech specialists make use of data and experience to see what technologies can benefit students the most. This sometimes involves researching specific districts and age groups, as such factors affect what EdTech they can benefit from.
EdTech specialists often work closely with school administrators to see what they need. Of course, integrating EdTech can be expensive, so finding budget-friendly solutions is sometimes a part of the job.
4. School Counselor
You’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like the personal side of teaching is more rewarding than the academic side. After all, you can set a great example and leave a strong impression on students as an educator. This may inspire some educators to switch gears and become a school counselor.
School counselors help students with everything from academic aid and higher education advice to emotional counseling. As a school counselor, you can help students navigate the many complex changes people go through as children and teenagers.
The transition from educator to counselor is quite rewarding, both personally and professionally. Much like becoming a teacher, becoming a counselor entails getting a new degree. You can kickstart your counseling career with a Master’s in Educational Counseling.
5. Superintendent
Some educators want to switch to a career that focuses on the big picture. In that case, it’s worth considering a career as a school superintendent. While a principal oversees a school, a superintendent oversees a school district.
Superintendents must create policies, communicate with the school board, and manage the district’s budget. In many ways, a superintendent is the face of the district, and it comes with a lot of responsibilities. School superintendents must exhibit several unique strengths, such as leadership skills and business prowess.
That’s because budget allocation is a big part of the job, and it sometimes entails making tough decisions. Enroll in master’s degree courses and specialize in educational leadership if you want to become a superintendent. It is a tough job, but you can make a big difference in your community as a school superintendent.
6. Principal
Many people start their careers as educators with the intent of eventually becoming principals. That’s because becoming a principal feels like a logical step for educators who want to have a more administrative role. This is a great career path, but you must manage your work schedule while furthering your education.
For example, you may need to work during the day and take master’s degree courses at night. That’s because you must have a master’s degree in educational leadership or academic administration. Naturally, you must work your way up the ladder to become a principal.
It’s worth the journey, as years of experience as a teacher can make you a great principal. Hone your leadership skills and think about what kind of a leader you want to be. A strong principal can set the tone for the students and teachers alike, and that’s a special privilege.
The Sky is the Limit for Educators
If you’re an educator, then you’ve already worked hard and proven your drive and talent. That’s why you can’t hesitate if you want to switch to a role that better suits your passion. Whether you need to pursue an advanced degree or learn new skills, you have what it takes to get your dream job.
Educators make great administrators, superintendents, school counselors, and educational consultants. Your skills will translate, and you’ll be glad when you see your hard work pay off.
Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren