Education

Brief Overview

Education is certainly one of the fastest and steadily growing sectors in the country. The futurist Alvin Toffler predicted that the “illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” With nearly one in four Americans enrolled in educational institutions, educational services is the second largest industry in the country, employing more than 13 million people.

The job forecast over the next ten years is excellent, due to increased overall enrollment in all educational sectors, and the need for a new supply of teachers to replace the large numbers that are expected to retire in the next decade. Opportunities in education range widely, and include positions as guidance counselors, administrators, school nurses, human resources staff, and, of course, teachers.

Teaching is not the only option if you want to be involved in the field of education. Other career areas within education include educational evaluation and consultation, instructional design, test development, assessment and training for work place performance, and education policy.

Within higher education institutions professor and teaching career opportunities most frequently require a Ph.D. in the subject field to be taught. Community colleges and smaller colleges often require a Master’s to teach. Additionally there are career opportunities in administrative functions within student affairs, housing and residence life, student activities, admissions, study abroad administration, and academic advising. Only a few positions (such as in admissions and student activities) require only a Bachelor’s degree. To gain higher level positions usually requires a Master’s degree.

Learn more about the variety of careers within the field of education through a review of the “Teaching” career or occupational profile on Vault and the education career overview at WetFeet and Career Overview.

Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos153.htm
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm

Networking

Tips for networking with family, friends, and Notre Dame alumni. Learn how to obtain access to the Irish Online alumni database. You will find many Notre Dame alumni who have participated in Alliance for Catholic Education, Teach for America, and/or education administration within secondary and post-secondary education institutions. Additionally, talk to two or three of your favorite high school teachers, university professors, or your contacts within higher education administration, such as your rector, an admissions counselor, a first-year studies advisor, etc.

Helpful Tips

Due to a nationwide teacher shortage, hiring in the field of education will continue to be on the rise in the next decade (especially in urban areas). Most public primary and secondary education institutions require state teaching certification. Notre Dame students can acquire the education degree and certification through a joint program with Saint Mary’s. A minor in Education, Schooling and Society is also offered within Notre Dame curriculum. Teaching certification can be acquired through several programs. Teaching fellow programs offer the opportunity to teach in urban schools and pursue state teaching certification while receiving a full-time salary. These fellowships exist at both national levels through such programs as Citizen Schools and through public school districts in metropolitan areas, including Chicago, Indianapolis, New York City. Charter, private, independent, and parochial schools often do not require state teaching certification. Quite a few Notre Dame students have landed great opportunities in private and parochial schools immediately after graduation. Most every major public school district has a functioning website with job postings, but smaller private schools may require personal contact and networking in order to assess job availability. Also, in addition to Teach for America, there are a number of organizations (both secular and non-secular) which offer teaching opportunities for graduates. For a comparison of programs offering teaching opportunities for non-education, bachelor degree candidates see the excel file “Teaching Information.”

General Websites

Teaching Programs

Placement Agencies

Education Policy

International Opportunities

Certification and Graduate Education Programs

University of Notre Dame’s Interdisciplinary Minor in Education, Schooling, and Society

The ESS Program encourages students to understand, reflect upon, and influence the role of education in society. Students draw on their interdisciplinary Liberal Arts perspectives to engage learning and education as complex and challenging aspects of human and societal experience, applying skills and resources from courses in the minor to questions of central importance in education. Contact Dr. Julie Turner (turner.37@nd.edu) for more information.

Saint Mary’s College Education Program

The Education Department of Saint Mary’s College is committed to developing and maintaining a teacher preparation program that empowers educators as decision-makers and leaders, offering programs in both elementary and secondary education upon successful completion of preceding core requirements.

University Consortium for Catholic Education Programs

The UCCE establishes and supports a collaborative cadre of primarily Catholic colleges and universities as they design and implement graduate level teaching service programs for the purpose of supporting Catholic/Parochial education in the United States. Member programs include: Operation TEACH: Teachers Enlisted to Advance Catholic Heritage, LANCE: LaSallian Association of New Christian Educators, UCTC: Urban Catholic Teachers Corp, EPICS: Educational Partners in Catholic Schools, LEAPS: Lutheran Educational Alliance in Parochial Schools, CHOICE: Chicago Opportunities in Catholic Education, ACE: Alliance for Catholic Education, plus many others.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations provide excellent contacts for networking and informational interviews. In some cases they may post jobs and internships on their websites.