Careers in Education Other Than Teaching

The careers in education go far beyond teaching and administration. Find out about the other lesser known, but great, education career opportunities.

The field of education offers many career opportunities that people may not be aware of. Teaching, counseling and administration careers are well known, as are many support staff positions. However, many of the best education careers are not as well-known, even though they are essential to education.

The Mandates for Specialized Educational Jobs

Most of the other jobs in education provide assignment writing help and other services to students who are struggling in one or more subjects, or they provide services to students with disabilities who require specialized instructional supports. Many of those positions provide services that are required by law for students with special needs.

The No Child Left Behind Law requires schools to provide intensive instructional supports to students to ensure they reach mastery levels of instructional content and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires schools to provide necessary instructional supports to students with disabilities. Additionally, schools are required to address the social, emotional, and behavioral needs and progress of students, as well as the academic needs.

The result is that there are many job positions that help to support those legal mandates. Some are even required by law. For example, a diagnosis of certain special education disabilities, such as learning disabilities or emotional disturbance, requires the employment of a person with a specialized license or certificate. Therefore, some of those jobs, while they may have lengthier education requirements, are legally required for schools.

Careers in Education: Instructional Support Positions

Reading specialists help to provide intensive reading interventions to struggling students and students with dyslexia.

Speech Therapists provide intensive speech and language instruction and interventions to students in special education who qualify as having a disability in that area.

Other Jobs and Careers in Education

Technology Specialists help make sure schools have technology that works correctly and helps to support instruction. They may also train staff on the use of technology.

School Psychology careers involve conducting evaluations, helping to design programs, and providing behavioral interventions and counseling. School psychologists have a state issued license that requires an advanced degree.

Diagnostic Services require a certificate or license. The person providing diagnostic services may be called a diagnostician, psychometrist, or a similar term in different states. They evaluate for and diagnose learning and other types of disabilities for Special education. This position usually requires prior teaching experience.

Occupational Therapists provide therapy related to fine motor skills and sensory based needs to students in special education who qualify. This position usually requires and advanced degree.

Physical Therapists typically have a doctorate, although, physical therapy assistants can work with a lower level degree. Physical therapy is a related service that schools are required to provide to students in special education who qualify for it.

Assistive Technology Specialists provide required assistive technology supports for students with special needs. Those supports include hearing, vision, custom writing, and other supports.

While auto mechanics may seem to be totally unrelated to education, transportation is a big part of education and school buses require mechanics. Schools employ mechanics as part of their transportation departments.

Employment in Education

Education can be a great field of employment for many jobs and careers. While schools may struggle financially, they will never go out of business and, because they are state run, benefits are dependable. For those who are interested in education, but not necessarily wanting to be a traditional classroom teacher, there are many other career options in education to consider.

After years teaching a range of courses in Georgia public schools, from Drama to AP English, I pulled the plug on my tenure and took a leap back into university instruction. Why? Sometimes we need to make decisions based on what works.