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Career clusters

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Career Clusters

Education

The Education Career Cluster is aimed at helping people learn and prepare for success through all life stages. Education includes school for students from early childhood through college, as well as lifelong learning for personal and professional development.

What's included?

Early childhood development
Education administration & leadership
Teaching, training & facilitation
Learner support & community engagement

Quick facts

Growth areas

Careers in teaching, special education, and corporate training and development are expected to be in demand.

State licensing

Public school teachers must earn a license to teach in their state, and requirements differ from state to state.

Work-based learning

Apprenticeships, internships, and career-and-technical education programs help students connect learning to jobs.

Technology impacts

Tools like virtual reality, online learning platforms, and adaptive software are creating more interactive experiences.

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Education Overview

Careers in Education

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Would a career in Education be a good fit for me?

Do you like the idea of helping people learn? A career in education might be a good fit for you. Think about how many of the following statements apply to you.

Things I like to do:

Help people learn new things
Explain things in simple ways
Tutor or mentor others
Lead group projects or activities
Come up with fun ways to teach something

Ways to describe me:

I like helping others
I'm a good listener
I'm patient and kind
I'm curious and love to learn
I enjoy speaking or presenting

Problems I want to solve:

How can learning be fun for everyone?
How do we connect learning to culture, family, and community?
How can we support different ways of learning?
How do we make places of learning feel safe and welcoming?
How can education and training help people have a better life?

Source: The National Career Clusters Framework Career Interest Survey from Advance CTE

What are some Education careers?

People who work in the education career cluster help others learn new concepts, build skills, and explore careers—from early reading programs to workforce training to community education for older adults. Most often these roles are in public or private schools or colleges, but education professionals also work in corporations, libraries, and community organizations.

Explore education careers by their typical level of education below. When you click on a career title, you'll find a full occupation profile, with links to local training programs that can help you prepare.

High school diploma or less, plus some training

You can start in some education careers without any higher education credentials.

Childcare workers

Library assistants

Self-enrichment workers

Short-term certificate or associate’s degree

One to two years of training can open the door to these careers in education.

Library technicians

Preschool teachers

Bachelor's degree

Earning a four-year degree can qualify you for careers that offer more responsibility and higher pay. Most teaching careers require at least a four-year college degree, along with a state license and specialized certifications.

Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare

Fitness and wellness coordinators

Interpreters and translators

Museum technicians and conservators

Adult basic education and ESL instructors

Career/technical education teachers, middle school

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school

Coaches and scouts

Elementary school teachers

Kindergarten teachers

Middle school teachers

Secondary school teachers