When you are working in the education sector, you’re helping to shape the future. You might not earn much, as the median salary of a teacher is around $74,400 per year. But it is an incredible responsibility and one that will reward you for years to come.
There are many ways to advance your career in education and excel, but it can be challenging to know where to start. We have put together this helpful guide of tips to help you make the most of your talent and take your career further than ever before.
Plan Your Strategy
When you are looking to advance your career in education and excel, the first thing you have to do is to plan. It means understanding what you want to achieve and setting goals for yourself. It also means determining your priorities, creating a plan to help you achieve those goals, and executing that strategy. There are currently over 4,492,114 teachers in the US, and with a strategy, it would be easier to succeed.
If this sounds like something out of a management textbook or buzzword-filled corporate presentation, it is because it is. But there is a reason why so many leaders use these concepts as guiding principles. They work. A well-thought-out approach can significantly improve your chances of success in any field, including education.
Know What Is Available to You
Knowing what is available to you is essential. It may be the most crucial step in making a good decision about your future career path. According to the Teacher Certification Degrees, 2,201 colleges and universities offer a teacher preparation program in the US.
One of the first things you want to do is get a broad perspective on the education landscape. The first step is knowing that various degrees are available and understanding what each one means. Do some research and find out if any of these options seem exciting or if there might be another field that interests you more than teaching.
The next thing to do is learn about the different types of degrees available for teachers and educators. It includes certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and master’s degrees (or Ph.D.).
Once we learn about these different qualification paths, we can decide which one best fits our goals and our lifestyle needs, such as where we live versus where we might want to move later on down life’s path.
Advance Your Education
Another way to advance your career and ultimately get paid more is by earning a master’s degree in education. It will allow you to teach at the secondary level, which includes middle school and high school, and earn higher pay than if you have a bachelor’s degree alone.
Another way to advance your career is through an online doctorate program for education that you can complete from home. Today there are many accredited online programs available with varying degree options, from master’s degrees up to doctoral studies online, like an online doctorate in education available in New York. Where the student learns everything needed to become an effective educator.
In New York, enrollment in private, non-profit institutions is at 86%, whereas it is at 80% and 89.7% for a four-year degree and a two-year degree in a public institution, respectively. Notably, the bustling city is quite an education hub as well, and pursuing your doctorate from here will be a good move to move ahead in your career.
Find a Mentor With Experience and Expertise
Finding a mentor to help guide your career success is one of the most important steps you can take. This person can provide guidance and accountability and offer advice on setting yourself up for success. To find a mentor, start by considering who in your network will most likely support your efforts and has the time to invest in mentoring you.
Once you have identified potential mentors within your network who meet these requirements, it is essential for both parties involved to make expectations clear early on so there are no surprises down the road when those goals do not match up perfectly.
Stay Flexible and Open to New Challenges
Flexibility and openness to new challenges will help you excel in your career. While you may love your teaching job, there are many opportunities for advancement. You can apply for a leadership position, become an administrator, or even try something completely different.
However, suppose you are going to work in another area of education or enter a different field. In that case, you must have good references from former employers and colleagues who know your skills well enough to recommend you without reservation. In addition, having certifications or licenses specific to the types of positions available is also helpful when looking for jobs outside of education.
Explore Research Opportunities
You can use research to gain more knowledge about the field of education. For example, if you are looking for a job in academia, it would be helpful for your resume if you have done some scholarly work. If you want to teach at the college level or at a higher education institution (HEI), then also research is a good idea. A Ph.D. or MA will help boost your career options.
If you want to teach in K-12 schools, doing extra training could also benefit your resume. It could include earning an endorsement from an accrediting association such as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) or completing a master’s degree program in educational leadership.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to improve your career in education. You can expand beyond just one method or another. Instead, try a few out and see what works best for you. And remember, no matter what path you choose, it’s essential that you keep striving towards excellence in all areas of your life.
