What Can I Do With My Teaching Degree?

Written by Calvin Bowers
developingastudent

There are many exciting and rewarding jobs in education that don’t necessarily involve becoming a traditional teacher. If you have a degree in education, but no longer want to be a teacher, look no further. We have collated some alternative jobs and careers that might interest you.

It’s not unusual to change your mind on what career you’re interested in while progressing through your degree. However, if your degree is connected to a specific career path, such as education, it can be stressful – but don’t worry, you still have plenty of career options.

1. Ofsted

If you are still passionate about education and improving the quality of education for children, but no longer want to be a classroom teacher, you could consider working for Ofsted. Ofsted stands for the Office for Standards in Education and is a government department that is in charge of inspecting schools and education providers and offers guidance and support on how to improve. Ofsted employers a whole range of staff from inspectors, IT specialists, data analysts, to policymakers and accountants, offering competitive salaries and work benefits.

2. Working with Special Educational Needs

Special Educational Needs (SED) is a branch of education which recognises the need for tailored support to children who have a range of different needs, such as learning disabilities, mental and physical health conditions or family difficulties. This is an enriching career as you are helping to protect some of the UK’s most vulnerable children and advocating for their educational rights. Typical roles include SED classroom assistants and learning support assistants. You may work within a classroom supporting the primary teacher, or on a one-to-one basis with particular children.

3. Careers Advisor

Careers advisors play an essential role in schools, colleges and universities. They provide impartial advice on jobs, careers, study and anything else related to employment. Within this role, you will still interact daily with children and young people, helping to support them through school and into the world, but without the classroom responsibility which you may no longer be interested in. You can guide students with their CV’s, selecting a university or finding a career path that suits their skills.

4. Educational Psychologist

Suppose you have more interest in the behaviour and wellbeing of children and young people, rather than their curriculum. In that case, you might be interested in the role of an Educational Psychologist. Educational psychologists work with children of all ages, applying psychological theories, research and techniques to support them, their families and schools. They promote learning, develop emotional and social skills and support psychological development.

5. Teach English as a Foreign Language

While technically, this is still a teaching job, it can be very different from traditional UK classroom teaching. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a qualification that allows you to travel the world whilst working and supporting children globally. It’s a great option to take straight after graduating if you feel unsure about what path you want to take. There are opportunities to teach all across Europe as well as in China, Central and South America and more. Those with teaching or education degrees will find more global opportunities. This also means they may be more likely to accepted into a school.

For more information on careers, visit our dedicated page for Students and Graduates.

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Last Updated: Friday May 27 2022
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