Childhood Education is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Childhood Education
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
K-12
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Pre-school
- Elementary
- Middle
- Secondary
- Administration
- Principalship
- Superintendency
- Special Services
- Reading
- Title 1
- Guidance Counseling
- School Psychology
- School Social Work
- Occupational and Physical Therapy
- Audiology and Speech Pathology
- Library/Information Services
- Special Education
- English as a Second Language
- Curriculum Supervision
- Subject Area Supervision
Employers
- Elementary, middle and secondary schools: public, private, Montessori, etc.
- Day care centers and nursery schools
- Boards of education
General Information
- Complete a college level teacher preparation program.
- Obtain teaching certificate/license for desired subject area and/or grade level. Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state.
- Obtain multiple certifications to increase employability.
- Private schools may not require certification or licensure. Obtain master's degree in subject area for increased employability.
- Get involved in student teacher organizations.
- Acquire teaching experience. Obtain Ph.D. and certificate in school administration.
- Graduate study required for "special service" fields. Obtain master's degree in an area to become a specialist. Requirements for certification and/or accreditation vary by state.
Higher Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
- Student Affairs
- Information/Library Services
Employers
- Four-year colleges and universities
- Two-year and community colleges
- Technical schools
- Medical and professional schools
General Information
- Earn a Ph.D. to teach and research at four-year institutions. Master's or Ph.D. degree is required to teach at two-year schools.
- Earn a Ph.D. in higher education administration for upper-level positions in university administration.
- Earn a master's degree in student personnel, student development, or counseling for student affairs positions.
- Obtain a master's degree in library/information sciences.
- Gain related experience through student positions such as Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, etc.
- Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.
Adult and Continuing Education
Career Areas
- Inservice Education
- Staff Development
- Professional Development
- Leisure-oriented Education
- GED Preparation
- Literacy Development
- English as a Second Language
- Consulting
Employers
- K-12 school systems
- Boards of education
- Colleges and universities
- Two-year and technical schools
- Community organizations: YMCA, Red Cross, etc.
- Correctional institutions
- Museums
- Professional associations
- Nursing homes/Adult daycare
- Vocational services
- Consulting firms
General Information
- Attain a master's or Ph.D. degree in adult education or a graduate degree in a subject or specialized area.
- Gain a reputation of expertise and experience in a subject, profession, art, craft or trade.
- Obtain teaching or instructional experience.
- Determine certification or accreditation standards for areas of interest.
Business and Industry
Career Areas
- Corporate Training
- Human Resources
- Sales
- Customer Service
- Publishing, Editing, and Technical Writing
- Curriculum Development
- Consulting
Employers
- Public and private corporations
- Consulting firms
- Marketing companies
- Bookstores
- Publishers: textbook, newspaper, magazine, book
- Test-preparation companies
- Software companies
- Staffing agencies
General Information
- Take some general business and computer courses.
- Earn a graduate degree in human resource development.
- Gain experience in organizational development or marketing.
- Become current with business and industry literature and news.
- Develop strong word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills.
Government
Career Areas
- Administration
- Planning
- Evaluation
- Management
- Research and Writing
- Teaching
- Social Work
Employers
- Federal government agencies:
- Department of Education
- Department of Defense
- Overseas schools for military dependents
- Department of Labor
- Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
- Health and Human Services
- Library of Congress
- National Archives and Records Administration
- National Science Foundation
- National Endowment for the Arts
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- Peace Corps
- Americorps
- Social service agencies
- State and local government
General Information
- Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures.
- Gain experience and an advanced, typically Ph.D, degree for high level positions in government.
Non-profit
Career Areas
- Teaching or Training
- Programming
- Public Relations
- Administration
- Fundraising
- Case Managing
- Lobbying
Employers
- Adoption agencies
- Scouts
- Camps
- United Way agencies
- YMCA/YWCA
- Group homes
- Mental health clinics
- Hospitals
- Community recreation centers
- Other public or private social service organizations
- State/national professional associations
General Information
- Gain experience through volunteer work or internships.
- Develop writing and public speaking skills.
- Learn to work well with people of various backgrounds.
- Add additional coursework in area of interest such as human services, counseling, or psychology.
- Consider certification in special education for greater employability.
- Seek grant writing experience to increase opportunities.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written.
- Develop good computer skills.
- Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings: pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA's, etc.
- Participate in co-curricular activities and related organizations to broaden skills, interests, and opportunities.
- Bachelor's degree is sufficient for certification/licensure to teach K-12 in most states.
- Obtain a master's degree for advancement and increased earning potential.
- Advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching, and other professional positions.
- Maintain current knowledge of state and national legislation regarding teacher licensure.
- Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to alternative careers:
- Effective communication with people, verbal and written
- Teaching and instruction
- Program planning
- Organization and record-keeping
- Working under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Motivational skills, creativity
- Working autonomously, decision-making, problem solving
- Research skills
Contact Us
145 Marano Campus Center
Phone: 315-312-2255
Email: [email protected]
Connect with a Career Coach
Meet with a Career Peer Intern
Career Tools
Discover the best online tools available to help you explore majors and careers, find internships and jobs, develop amazing documents, and connect with others!
Follow Us
