Why You Should Choose a Career in Education
7 Min Read
Few professions make a bigger difference in the lives of children than early childhood and elementary educators. If you’re interested in the opportunity to shape young minds, earning a degree in education can open the door to many rewarding careers.
The most effective education degree programs use research-based strategies to empower educators who want to build a better future for kids. The American Women’s College (TAWC) of Bay Path University offers four online education degrees that position women to become high-impact educators and leaders:
- Online BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education Licensure*
- Online BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Leadership
- Online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure
- Online BA in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education Licensure*
Continue reading to learn more about the significant impact of early learning and the career opportunities available in education and educational leadership.
Building a Solid Educational Foundation
The impact of early childhood education (ECE) in particular has been studied extensively. Defined as learning experiences that occur before age 6, quality ECE increases a child’s likelihood of1:
- Meeting third-grade reading proficiency targets
- Graduating with a high school diploma
- Attending a college or university
- Earning a living wage as an adult
- Maintaining good physical and mental health
- Avoiding substance abuse and criminal behavior
Likewise, high-quality elementary education is paramount in the lives of children. Research reveals that skilled educators are a top factor in shaping a child’s elementary education experience, making high-caliber teacher preparation program all the more critical. A few ways elementary teachers ensure a quality education for their students include2:
- Creating developmentally appropriate learning materials
- Designing a language-rich learning environment
- Engaging with all children equally
- Ensuring the classroom is safe for play and exploration
- Offering empathy, respect, and warmth
- Using responsive language and fostering independence
Early childhood and elementary-aged kids develop at a rapid pace, and they need educational leaders who can offer both compassionate support and the instruction they need to become confident adolescents. It’s also important to remember that a career in education can be exceptionally fulfilling for teachers. Individuals in this profession don’t just make a difference for their students; they also reap the benefits of a meaningful career path for themselves.
The Benefits of a Career in Education
Teaching at any grade level is a complicated job, and those who advance to educational leadership roles—such as instructional coach, principal, and superintendent—encounter new challenges outside of the classroom. Learning loss, emotional health declines, and other issues brought on by the recent COVID-19 pandemic add further complexity. It’s clear that working in education requires a deep commitment to students and education.
Passionate educators believe the benefits of their jobs significantly outweigh the challenges. The benefits most cited by those working in education include3:
- Building meaningful connections with students
- Helping students discover their love for learning
- Providing students with a safe space to be themselves
- Exercising flexibility at work
- Building community with other teachers and administrators
- Validating students’ lived experiences
- Knowing you’re making a difference in a child’s life each day
Professionals who choose a career in education can also count on job security and ample opportunities for career advancement. Job openings for education occupations are projected to keep up with average industry growth between 2022 and 2032, with about 857,600 projected each year over the decade.4
Leading Education Careers
You don’t have to work in a traditional educational leadership role to function as a leader in your school or ECE center. A career in education comes with the opportunity to lead the individual impacts that take place in your classroom or learning center every day. Learn more about career opportunities in early childhood and elementary education below.
Careers in Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education plays a critical role in children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and language development. With a bachelor’s in early childhood education or ECE leadership, there’s opportunity to take on a variety of roles to impact the future of children’s lives including:
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Childcare Center Director
- Preschool Lead Teacher
- Preschool Director
- Daycare Administrator
Careers in Elementary Education
Elementary educators support children as they progress from Kindergarten to young adolescence. Earn a bachelor’s in elementary education to pursue the following roles:
- Teaching Assistant
- Elementary School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher**
- Education Consultant
Alternative Careers in Education
Not all educational leaders work in school systems or childcare centers. Community-based education centers and public libraries also employ education experts to assist in creating, implementing and evaluating children’s programming. Additionally, many nonprofit organizations focused on education need experts to assist in this work. Not all professionals in these positions need licenses to teach, so a bachelor’s in educational studies could help you prepare for positions such as:
- Children’s Program Coordinator
- Education Outreach Specialist
- Community Education Manager
- Nonprofit Program Specialist
- Nonprofit Program Manager
Careers in Educational Leadership
With further education, teachers may pursue high-level leadership positions for a broader impact on educational outcomes for entire communities. These educational leaders also enjoy higher earning potential, with elementary school principals earning a median salary of $103,460 per year.5 By pursuing a master’s in education, you may qualify for the following positions:
- Instructional Coach
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Assistant Superintendent
- Superintendent
Career-Focused Online Education Degrees
At The American Women’s College (TAWC) of Bay Path University, you can prepare for your career in education by choosing from a range of online degrees that are designed for working women. Study on your schedule in flexible, convenient courses, all while receiving one-on-one instruction from faculty members who are experts in education. Learn more about TAWC’s online education degrees below.
Online BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Education Licensure
Develop the skills you need to support early literacy as well as cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development in young learners. This program meets the requirements for initial Early Childhood Education Licensure (pre-K–2) by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.*
Online BA in Liberal Studies: Early Childhood Leadership
Build expertise in intercultural communication, positive behavior theory, and child care administration in preparation to pursue a career in early childhood leadership or an advanced degree to earn licensure. This degree program empowers you to personalize your studies with 38 general elective credits that you can choose according to your goals and interests.
Online BA in Liberal Studies: Education Studies, Non-Licensure
Gain valuable knowledge in child development, classroom management, instruction, and more in this customizable degree program. Graduate prepared to explore education careers outside the classroom or pursue an advanced degree to earn licensure.
Online BA in Liberal Studies: Elementary Education Licensure
Learn the fundamentals of curriculum development, literacy support, classroom management, special education, and more in courses designed to prepare you for success as an elementary educator. This program meets the requirements for initial Elementary Education Licensure (K–6) by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.*
Sources and Disclaimers
- Shonkoff, Jack. “Why Early Childhood Matters.” North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved May 28, 2024 from https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/early-childhood/why-early-childhood-matters.
- Georgia Family Connection Partnership. “Sustaining the Impact of High-Quality Early Childhood Education for Children and Families.” June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2024 from https://gafcp.org/2023/06/28/sustaining-the-impact-of-high-quality-early-childhood-education-for-children-and-families/.
- Rodriguez, Louie F. “25 Reasons to Get Excited About Teaching.” Education Week. Sept. 27, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2024 from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-25-reasons-to-get-excited-about-teaching/2022/09.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Educational Instruction and Library Occupations.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals.” April 17, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm.
*To meet the Massachusetts DESE requirements for licensure programs, students will be required to complete fieldwork, a practicum experience in Massachusetts, and virtual synchronous meetings for the SEI Endorsement. Students who do not reside in Massachusetts may need to complete additional requirements to become licensed in their state.
**Students wishing to become special education teachers will need to meet the requirements for an additional license from Massachusetts DESE. Learn more from the Office of Educator Licensure.