What can I do with a major in adolescence education?

Search for opportunities

Companies:
Syracuse City School District
Department of Education of NYC
Ithaca City School District

Titles:
Science Teacher
Math Teacher
Social Studies Teacher

Search for employers hiring graduates in your major

Employers in NY: 12,729
Employers in US: 229,608

 

Explore the numerous career fields related to your major

K-12
Areas

Teaching

  • Pre-school
  • Elementary
  • Middle 
  • Secondary 

Administration

  • Principalship 
  • Superintendency

Special Services

  • Reading
  • Title 1 
  • Guidance Counseling
  • School Psychology 
  • School Social Work 
  • Occupational and Physical Therapy 
  • Audiology and Speech Pathology 
  • Library/Information Services 
  • Special Education 
  • English as a Second Language 
  • Curriculum Supervision 
  • Subject Area Supervision
Employers

Elementary, middle and secondary schools: public, private, Montessori, etc.
Day care centers and nursery schools
Boards of education

Sample occupations

Complete a college level teacher preparation program.
Obtain teaching certificate/license for desired subject area and/or grade level. Requirements for certification/licensure vary by state.
Obtain multiple certifications to increase employability.
Private schools may not require certification or licensure. Obtain master's degree in subject area for increased employability.
Get involved in student teacher organizations.
Acquire teaching experience. Obtain Ph.D. and certificate in school administration.
Graduate study required for "special service" fields. Obtain master's degree in area to become a specialist. Requirements for certification and/or accreditation vary by state.

Higher Education
Areas

Teaching
Research
Administration
Student Affairs
Information/Library Services

Employers

Four-year colleges and universities
Two-year and community colleges
Technical schools
Medical and professional schools

Sample occupations

Earn Ph.D. to teach and research at four-year institutions. Master's degree or Ph.D.  is required to teach at two-year schools.
Earn a Ph.D. in higher education administration for upper level positions in university administration.
Earn master's degree in student personnel, student development, or counseling for student affairs positions.
Obtain master's degree in library/information sciences.
Gain related experience through student positions such as Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, etc.
Seek leadership roles in campus organizations.

Adult and Continuing Education
Areas

Inservice Education
Staff Development
Professional Development
Leisure-oriented Education
GED Preparation
Literacy Development
English as a Second Language
Consulting

Employers

K-12 school systems
Boards of education
Colleges and universities
Two-year and technical schools
Community organizations: YMCA, Red Cross, etc.
Correctional institutions
Museums
Professional associations
Nursing homes/Adult daycare
Vocational services
Consulting firms

Sample occupations

Attain a master's degree or Ph.D. in adult education or a graduate degree in a subject or specialized area.
Gain a reputation of expertise and experience in a subject, profession, art, craft or trade.
Obtain teaching or instructional experience.
Determine certification or accreditation standards for areas of interest.

Business and Industry
Areas

Corporate Training
Human Resources
Sales
Customer Service
Publishing, Editing, and Technical Writing
Curriculum Development
Consulting

Employers

Public and private corporations
Consulting firms
Marketing companies
Bookstores
Publishers: Textbook, newspaper, magazine, book
Test-preparation companies
Software companies
Staffing agencies

Sample occupations

Take some general business and computer courses.
Earn a graduate degree in human resource development.
Gain experience in organizational development or marketing.
Become current with business and industry literature and news.
Develop strong word processing, editing, and desktop publishing skills.

Government
Areas

Administration
Planning
Evaluation
Management
Research and Writing
Teaching
Social Work

Employers

Federal government agencies:

  • Department of Education 
  • Department of Defense 
  • Overseas schools for military dependents 
  • Department of Labor 
  • Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) 
  • Health and Human Services
  • Library of Congress 
  • National Archives and Records Administration
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Endowment for the Arts
  • National Endowment for the Humanities 
  • Peace Corps
  • Americorps

Social service agencies
State and local government

Sample occupations

Learn federal, state, and local job application procedures.
Gain experience and an advanced, typically Ph.D, degree for high level positions in government.

Non-profit
Areas

Teaching or Training
Programming
Public Relations
Administration
Fundraising
Case Managing
Lobbying

Employers

Adoption agencies
Scouts
Camps
United Way agencies
YMCA/YWCA
Group homes
Mental health clinics
Hospitals
Community recreation centers
Other public or private social service organizations
State/national professional associations

Sample occupations

Gain experience through volunteer work or internships.
Develop writing and public speaking skills.
Learn to work well with people of various back grounds.
Add additional coursework in area of interest such as human services, counseling or psychology.
Consider certification in special education for greater employability.
Seek grant writing experience to increase opportunities.

General information and strategies

  • Develop excellent communication skills, verbal and written, as well as computer fluency.
  • Obtain part-time, summer, internship, or volunteer experience with the age group you intend to work with in various settings: pre-schools, daycares, camps, community agencies, adult centers, YMCA's, etc.
  • Bachelor's degree is sufficient for certification/licensure to teach K-12 in most states.
  • Obtain a master's degree for advancement and increased earning potential.
  • Advanced degree required for specialists, education administration, college teaching and other professional positions.
  • Maintain current knowledge of state and national legislation regarding teacher licensure.
  • Consider certification in special education for greater employability.
  • Identify transferable skills learned in teaching applicable to alternative careers:
    • program planning
    • organization and record-keeping
    • working under pressure and meeting deadlines
    • motivational skills, creativity
    • working autonomously, decision making, problem solving
    • research skills