Considering a career in teaching? There are few better ways to serve your community and give back than becoming a teacher. You can help shape young minds, mentor kids who need a good role model, and generally just be a force for good in the world. Middle school and high school teachers also have the opportunity to specialize in the subjects which interest them most like biology, chemistry, math, history, english, or art. Teaching is a great way to find a career in a field of study that interests you most.
There are many other good reasons to consider becoming a teacher. Education is a growth field with K-12 teachers expected to see 6% job growth through 2024. While the pay is not sky high, it’s often comparable to other jobs for those with four year degrees, and the job security helps to offset some of the salary worries. It’s important to also consider that most teaching jobs are union, and thus the benefits are more than decent compared to the average job. And, hey, don’t forget the vacation time which is really an unusual perk for the average worker these days.
Education programs are common from many colleges and universities that offer degrees online. Most are setup to take the guesswork out of starting a teaching career and are tailored so that you can work through all your coursework, do student teaching, and then get certified in your home state. Online education degrees can be specialized according to your specific interests as well, and there are also many schools with administration career track courses if that is a path you are considering.
One thing to consider before pursuing a degree in education is the number of job openings for teachers in your area. For most regions around the country, teachers remain in demand, and it takes little more than a glance at job postings for your city to see if that holds true where you live. If you know you’ll be moving to a new metro area soon, it is a good idea to check the demand for teachers there as well. Pay can vary widely by region, so be sure to compare salaries for your region.
If you already have some college under your belt before you return for an online education degree, but had not previously been an education major, be sure to speak to your advisor about how best to specialize in education so that your credits will transfer to your new major. And of course ask your advisor about the best strategies for selecting courses so that you will be able to graduate in the timeframe you would prefer. While you can go to school full time to get a degree in education, many online degree programs are setup for part-time students. That’s the beauty of most online degree programs, the timing can be very versatile.
If you’ve ever considered a rewarding career as a teacher, it’s a great time to look into the wide variety of online education degrees available. This could be your moment to embark on a new career!
