Shape the future by pursuing a career in education. Whether you’re interested in teaching, administration, or support roles, this essential industry offers meaningful opportunities to make a lasting impact. Discover the career paths, training programs, and resources to help you inspire the next generation.
Careers in education go far beyond teaching—schools also need counselors, media specialists, administrators, and support staff to help students succeed! Plus, many roles come with great benefits, steady schedules, and the chance to make a lasting impact every day.
The education industry offers a wide range of career pathways beyond the classroom. Many professionals start as teachers or support staff and later move into leadership roles like school administration, counseling, curriculum development, or instructional coaching. Others specialize in areas like special education, career advising, or technology integration. Whether you’re passionate about working directly with students or shaping educational programs behind the scenes, there are plenty of opportunities to grow and make an impact.
Empathy
Confidence
Organization
Communication
Patience
Teamwork
Adaptability
Child Care Workers create a safe, nurturing environment where young children can grow, learn, and develop important life skills. They plan activities that support social, emotional, and physical development, and build strong relationships with both children and families. Child Care Workers play a vital role in setting the foundation for lifelong learning and success.
Care for young children, plan educational activities, assist with meals and hygiene, and monitor development.
Childcare centers, preschools, private homes, and family childcare settings.
Active days filled with play, teaching, supervision, and lots of hands-on interaction.
Patience, creativity, communication, organizational skills, physical stamina.
High school diploma often required; many employers prefer certifications or associate degrees in early childhood education.
Become a lead teacher, specialize in infant/toddler care, move into day care administration, or open a family childcare business.
School Bus Drivers ensure students get to school and home safely every day. They play a big part in a student’s daily routine, often being the first and last adult from school that students interact with. Drivers must be highly responsible, attentive to safety, and good at building positive rapport with young passengers.
Operate school buses along set routes, maintain safe driving practices, and monitor student behavior.
Public and private schools, transportation companies.
Split shifts (morning and afternoon), outdoor work in various weather, responsibility for student safety.
Safe driving skills, patience, attention to detail, communication, ability to stay calm.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with passenger and school bus endorsements; additional background checks and safety training.
Move into transportation supervisor roles, safety training, or logistics coordination.
Day Care Administrators manage childcare centers, balancing the business side of operations with the educational and care needs of young children. They hire and support staff, communicate with families, oversee curriculum, and ensure that centers meet licensing and safety standards.
Manage staff, create program policies, handle budgeting, oversee compliance with child care regulations.
Childcare centers, early learning centers, nonprofit organizations.
A fast-paced job balancing administrative tasks, staff supervision, and family relationships.
Leadership, organization, business management, early childhood knowledge, communication.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, business, or a related field.
Manage larger centers, oversee multiple sites, become a director of early childhood programs.
Preschool Teachers introduce young children to structured learning through play-based activities that build academic and social skills. They help children prepare for kindergarten by encouraging curiosity, creativity, and cooperation in a supportive and joyful classroom.
Plan and implement lessons focused on basic academic and social skills for children ages 3–5.
Preschools, childcare centers, Head Start programs.
Days filled with creative projects, music, storytelling, and group activities.
Creativity, patience, enthusiasm, child development knowledge, communication.
Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education; some roles require additional state certification.
Specialize in special education preschool, early literacy coaching, or administrative roles in early childhood centers.
Elementary Teachers guide young learners through important academic subjects and life skills. They build the foundation for students' future learning by teaching reading, math, science, and social studies, while also helping students develop critical thinking and social skills.
Teach multiple core subjects to students in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade.
Public, charter, and private elementary schools.
Structured but dynamic days that balance instruction, classroom management, and individualized support.
Instructional skills, patience, adaptability, classroom management, strong communication.
Bachelor’s degree in elementary education + state licensure.
Literacy or math coach, curriculum specialist, assistant principal, or school administrator.
Media Specialists are experts in connecting students and teachers with information, whether through books, digital resources, or technology tools. They manage school libraries, teach research skills, and often support digital literacy across the school.
Manage library collections, assist students and staff with research, promote digital citizenship and literacy.
Schools, educational organizations, school district offices.
Collaboration with teachers, hands-on tech support, and library programming.
Organization, information management, tech skills, research skills, communication.
Bachelor’s degree in library science, information science, or education.
Become a district library supervisor, instructional technology specialist, or academic media specialist.
Secondary School Teachers help students deepen their knowledge and critical thinking in specific subjects like English, math, science, history, or arts. They prepare teenagers for college, careers, and the world beyond high school.
Teach subject-specific content to middle and high school students (grades 6–12).
Middle schools, high schools, alternative schools.
Subject-focused instruction, grading, mentoring, and classroom management.
Deep subject knowledge, classroom management, communication, adaptability.
Bachelor’s degree in a content area plus teaching certification.
Department chair, instructional coach, curriculum specialist, school administrator.
Special Education Teachers create personalized learning plans for students with disabilities and special needs. They provide support both academically and socially, making sure all students have access to quality education.
Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) tailored to each student's needs.
Public and private schools, specialized schools, therapeutic programs.
Close collaboration with students, parents, and support teams; customized instruction.
Patience, creativity, instructional flexibility, advocacy skills, empathy.
Bachelor’s degree in special education plus state certification; master's degrees are common for advancement.
Special education coordinator, advocate, program developer, or leadership in special education.
Principals and Education Administrators are leaders who manage schools, support teachers, oversee budgets, and ensure that students receive the best education possible. They set the tone for a school’s culture and success.
Supervise staff, manage daily operations, lead school improvement initiatives, engage families and communities.
Elementary, middle, or high schools; district offices.
Leadership responsibilities, decision-making, handling challenges, strategic planning.
Leadership, conflict resolution, communication, organization, vision-setting.
Master’s degree in education administration or leadership and administrative certification.
District administrator, superintendent, educational policy leader.
Guidance Counselors support students’ academic and emotional development, helping them manage personal challenges, build life skills, and succeed in school. They also assist students in selecting courses and creating academic schedules that align with their goals.
Provide counseling on academic and personal issues; support student well-being and development.
Middle and high schools.
One-on-one counseling, crisis support, collaboration with families and staff.
Empathy, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Master’s degree in school counseling and state certification.
Lead counselor, student services coordinator, mental health specialist.
Career Counselors help students and adults explore career options, identify strengths and interests, and plan education or training pathways for future success. Having real-world work experience can be especially helpful in connecting with clients and offering practical guidance.
Assist with career exploration, job readiness, and postsecondary planning.
High schools, colleges, adult education centers, career centers.
Career assessments, one-on-one planning sessions, resume and interview prep.
Career development knowledge, communication, assessment skills, and motivation.
Bachelor’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field.
Workforce development advisor, college career services coordinator, career coach.
Child Care Worker
School Bus Driver
Day Care Administrator
Preschool Teacher
Day Care Administrator
Training & Development Specialist
Elementary Teacher
Secondary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
