6 Non-Traditional Careers in Education
Many people believe that teaching is the only career for anyone with a degree in education. However, that's not the case because the skills learned in education programs are applicable in numerous fields. Teachers, principals, and college professors are not the only professionals that are required to have education degrees.
If you want to enter the education field or qualify for higher education leadership, there are several careers besides teaching for you to look into. You could become a career counselor, educational consultant, school psychologist and so much more. Let's discuss some non-traditional careers in education and their educational requirements.
1. Adult Education Teacher
An adult education teacher is someone who teaches basic job skills and helps those who did not complete their high school diploma. They may also assist adults who want to learn another language or take a bridge course to prepare for a higher education course.
If you currently work as a teacher, or you're looking for extra work, an adult education teaching job might be right for you. Adult educators mostly teach adults part-time on weekends or during night classes. They can also choose to offer different class types such as workshops and certification courses.
Adult education instructors are required to have at least a bachelor's degree and relevant teaching experience. If you plan to work in schools or colleges owned by the government, you may have to present your teaching certificate as well. Some states in the U.S. may also require you to apply for an adult education permit.
2. Standardized Test Developer
Standardized test developers create the tests taken at school to assess learning outcomes and track student performance. They are responsible for designing documents that measure students' retained knowledge at the end of their course or school program.
If you'd like to ensure that students are really hitting their learning outcomes, then you should become a standardized test developer. The goal is to help parents, teachers and administrators understand where students are succeeding and where they need some improvement.
Standardized test developers often work on exams like the High School Placement Test, General Education Development Test, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, and many more. The education requirements for this interesting career may include a master's or a doctor of education degree.
3. Homeschool Consultant
A homeschool consultant helps parents determine their children's preferred learning styles and recommends the best curriculum for them. They are consultants or coaches who assist homeschooling parents and make sure they provide the best education possible for their kids.
This non-traditional career in education allows you to impact the lives of homeschoolers even though you won't be doing any teaching. A homeschool consultant should know the college/university admission criteria for homeschooled children. And ensure they meet their state's requirements.
Homeschool consultants are required to have at least a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate. They are also expected to have completed a program in college admissions or career planning. They can work on a freelance basis or with an educational consulting company.
4. Education Researcher
An education researcher is a professional who conducts studies on particular aspects of education. They provide useful insight into current issues within the field of education. They often collect and analyze data and then use their conclusions to design assessments or curricula.
If you want to shape what is taught in schools, a career in education policy and research may be the perfect fit for you. An education researcher is expected to be involved in the formulation of curriculum content and learning processes, as well as influencing education policy.
Education researchers may work at research organizations or colleges where they will conduct experiments and develop research to understand learning processes. To meet the education requirements for this career, you should enroll in an online doctor of education degree program.
5. Curriculum Design
A curriculum designer is a professional who develops and evaluates curricula and training materials. They are involved in the creation of the overall course blueprint, the course content, and the learning objectives as well as assessment strategies, exercises, and interactive activities.
Teachers who want to move out of the classroom can move into a job as a curriculum designer. However, they need to be experts in their subject area. Curriculum designers usually work with teachers and administrators within their district to create the best curriculum for students.
Most curriculum designers who work in schools have at least a master's degree in education and a teaching or education administrator license. They can also decide to choose a school-based career path or work with companies to design instructional programs for their employees.
6. Corporate Trainer
A corporate trainer is a teacher who provides education and training to employees in a corporate setting. They often work with leadership to develop course work, deliver training sessions, lead orientation programs and help to upskill employees in a particular industry.
Teachers who want to work in a non-academic sector should consider a career as a corporate trainer. Many companies hire these professionals to ensure their employees have the necessary skills and knowledge for completing job tasks.
Corporate trainers need at least a bachelor's degree, and they also have to identify the ideal industry for them. They may be more equipped and have sufficient knowledge to provide training in certain fields than others.
Nuno
I'm a filmmaker with extensive training in multiple sectors of content creation whose films have been shown all over the world. I have also served as a speaker and jury member in multiple events. Nonetheless, in recent years, I became extremely disappointed with the course of the art world in general, and as consequence, I've developed an interest in topics I believed would become crucial for the future, namely, cybersecurity, self-education, web design, and investing in various assets, such as cryptocurrencies. All those events have driven me to launch RushRadar.