CAREERS FOR A MASTER’S IN EDUCATIONGregory L. Jackson, PhD – University of Notre Dame. MA in Adult Education, University of Phoenix.

Think about Expertise, Experience

Teaching is only one alternative.

Consultants can help others apply their knowledge.

Many jobs are not yet invented – I became a college teacher without knowing that online education existed. I became a social media expert simply by using the social media daily and studying how it works.

Areas of Teaching in Higher Education

Community colleges absorb vast numbers of adjunct teachers for their classes.

Community colleges also have other areas for part-time or full-time work: labs, teaching English as a second language, and administration.

Academic tradition – one does not teach immediately at the school where the degree was earned. That is academic inbreeding.

There are many other universities where the ranks of Baby Boomers will be decimated by retirement and death.

Community Colleges – Start Now

Community colleges normally require a master’s degree.

Start now to make contacts and find out where the needs are.

They offer experience for those who want to teach online in the future.

Evening classes are mostly adults and pay well for part-time work.

Most community colleges also have online or they are moving toward it.

Getting into the system leverages all future job opportunities.

Wear Your Career Experience Proudly

Academic skills plus career skills will combine to offer many new opportunities.

Some have nursing degrees. Others have long experience in computer science. Others are public school teachers.

A few have a second master’s in business or another field. Everything is good – including special certifications. American educators love education degrees and certifications.

Some go overseas and teach, where an American master’s degree is golden.

Consultants

“The only requirement to be a consultant is to call yourself a consultant.” – Walmart Exec

Without being a subject matter expert, a consultant can show institutions and businesses how to conduct adult education better and get improved results.

One education student taught bartenders how to pour beer the right way, without wasting product.

One became a bank education officer on the strength of being in this program – no banking experience.

They Need Education Experts

The military and police train their people in ever-changing law.

Banks, insurance companies, and health care organizations all face constant changes in regulation – and a need to meet compliance demands.

Education is going to expand while the best educated instructors retire.

Your teacher’s certifications plus the MA will open many doors in this area.

Learn from an Old Goat

The job you have may not be invented yet. Or it may be developing – social media expert.

You can invent your own job and work from your home.

A steady improvement in education, certifications, conferences will make things happen, sometimes as if by magic.

I took Unix to edit Unix books. That never happened but it was my door into teaching at UOP.

A restroom conversation at UOP got me to apply to a school I heard discussed among two professors. I still work at the second school.

Be Different by Being Active, Not Pasive

Attend conferences where famous people speak.

Visit leaders in your field, by arranging a lunch or a tour.

Pick one or two minor areas and become an expert: video editing, graphics, social media.

Join a professional group or two and be active in it.

Start a blog to maintain a professional profile and proof of expertise.

Publish a book via Amazon – one of my recent graduates did that.