Are you ready for a change to something more meaningful and rewarding in your work, but you aren’t sure where to start? If you’re contemplating a career change to the world of education and need advice, then this is the article for you! Here are 10 tips for landing a job in a K-12 school:
1. Figure out your goals and start your research
- What stands between you and a career in education? How many credits, dollars and years?
- These answers will depend on your individual goals.
2. Browse teaching blogs
- Blogs such as Edutopia and The Educator’s Room offer general advice and a glimpse into the education world and community.
3. Browse teaching resource websites
- Check out SMART Exchange and Teachers Pay Teachers for a better sense of the nature of the work and the workload.
4. Keep a community mindset!
- Find your future colleagues, friends, and mentors, and start establishing your professional network.
5. Reach out and connect with teachers online
- They can draw from the successes and failures that you haven’t gone through yet, and even help you land a job down the line!
6. Seek out educational conferences and organizations
- Attending events can help build connections, and furthers your professional network and support system.
7. Be confident and proactive
- Don’t be afraid to get your name out there.
- You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!
8. Specialization
- Choosing to specialize is a good option to consider to increase your strength as a candidate.
9. Get your degree while you teach!
- In New York, you can earn your masters degree while you’re teaching.
10. Patience is always key
- From applying to Masters programs, to actually working in the classroom!
And if you’re still uncertain about your decision in general, remember that friends, family, and trusted colleagues are always an invaluable source of honest, and well-informed feedback.
Check out our Career Resources page for more tips on landing a job in K-12 schools.
