Progressing along the academic career ladder has always been and will continue to be a challenge and one which involves intensive research and focus, not to mention the inevitable and necessary willingness to jump through numerous proverbial hoops to achieve your goals.
One fantastic and somewhat comforting fact, however, (especially when one is embroiled in their dissertation for their PhD and cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel) is that the further you climb the ladder of academic progression, the more influence and impact you will be afforded to positively change the face of education in the future.
Here, for your reading pleasure, and of course information, is how to progress your academic career both in the United States and overseas.
Top Six Permanent Changes To Higher Education Caused By The Pandemic
Obviously, just like every other single industry in the United States, as well as throughout the rest of the world, the world of education certainly did not escape from any impact from the worldwide coronavirus.
The six biggest and most notable changes to higher education caused or heavily suggested by the impact of the pandemic are as follows:
- The change in student demand, in terms of the desire for more flexible learning options as well as an increased reliance on video-conferencing software and recorded lectures and classes, will force both colleges and universities to provide more of a hybrid learning environment.
- More support and advice for students provided virtually, rather than in-person meetings with lecturers, with the faculty spending more money and resources on building an infrastructure of a virtual nature, rather than the current physical one.
- Innovative and interesting changes to the traditional academic calendar since the start of the pandemic, which are set to stay as such changes benefited the faculty as well as the learners.
- The increased accountability for schools and universities to respect and instigate changes in and around the equity, inclusion and diversity metrics will result in a stricter and more far-reaching conformation of such laws.
- More and more academic professionals, including staff, leaders and administrative roles being conducted on an either full or part-time working from home basis.
- Non-traditional degrees and non-degree education will increase in prominence, with major companies and even entire industries placing increased emphasis and priority on technology and practical certifications and experience.
The Standardized ‘Ladder’ Of Academic Progression In The United States
Essentially, there are two academic pathways to further your career in education and both consist of the enrollment on to a higher education degree, either an EdD (Doctor of Education) or PhD (Doctor of Philosophy in Education.)
If you are more than interested in and energized by the prospect of studying for a Doctor of Education, it is important to know the benefits to further ensure you are making the right decision. Are you wondering whether is an EdD worth it? Here’s why the pursuit of a EdD will be one of the best decisions you will ever make!
PhD Versus EdD
A PhD and a EdD are essentially proverbial poles apart and it is important to ascertain your own individual motivations for pursuing a doctorate to help you decide which avenue to take. A PhD in education has been specifically designed and developed to prepare the graduates for higher levels of teaching roles and academic research, whereas an EdD in education is solely for those individuals who are dedicated to the pursuit of a career of an educational leadership nature.
PhDs in education require no residency segment within the doctorate, are primarily applicable to academia only and purely focus on research. A Doctor of Education program (EdD) is applicable to a wide plethora of different industries, always without exception requires at least one term or residency and has an equal focus on both application and research.
EdD programs are intensely practice-based and are suitable for those who desire and are ready to instigate research that can be easily applied across various industries and sectors to positively influence and impact various institutions’ process of decision making.
Within the highly intensive Doctor of Education, students will collect and collate data and information as well as conduct copious and thorough interviews with a myriad of different people and also organize and lead focus groups, all with the aim of the construction and subsequent development of strategies and hypotheses to help clarify or indeed solve a particular issue.
After Your Doctor of Education:
As previously discussed, the successful acquisition of a Doctor of Education qualification will enable its very application to a wide array of different industries from civic service, K.12 and higher education to the nonprofit and charitable sector.
However, there does seem to be a group of different career pathways that newly qualified Doctors in Education choose to take, the most popular ones of which include:
- Secondary School & Elementary School Administrators Of Education
Such job roles falling under this particular section (including superintendents, for example) look after all matters regarding budget, distribution of funds, staffing as well as the overall management of the academic program for their particular area or district.
The average annual salary for a secondary school or elementary school administrator of education is approximately $96,500 to $99,000.
- Instructional Coordinators
Essentially, the role of instructional coordinator is to manage, develop and even create the curriculum of a group of schools or even the entire national schools’ curricula, as well as a host of other important educational materials. Instructional coordinators help, advise and enable teaching staff to more effectively implement (as well as measure said effectiveness) of various learning strategies within the classroom setting.
The average annual salary for an instructional coordinator is approximately $59,000 to $64,500.
- Postsecondary Administrators Of Education
Such career paths involve individuals working in universities or colleges in an overseer capacity, relating to areas such as admissions, faculty research, student affairs and academics. Job titles under this proverbial umbrella include dean, provost, vice president and president.
The average annual salary for a postsecondary administrator of education is approximately $92,500 to $ 94,800.
- Top Executives In Education
The last main section of career pathways that is particularly popular with graduates with a educational Doctorate is that of a top executive.
Top executives working within the educational sector include job roles such as chief academic officer, chief learning officer and essentially any other senior educational professionals and leaders who are charged with working towards ensuring that their organization succeeds in meeting every one of its goals and targets.
The average annual salary for a top executive in education is approximately $97,500 to $105,500.
Working Internationally As A Teacher
Teaching overseas is one of the most incredible opportunities; to be able to afford the lifestyle of moving quite literally anywhere in the world and practicing the vocation that you have both grafted for and which you find intensely rewarding is basically unrivalled.
However, it is important to know the exact steps to take if you are even considering teaching abroad, be that in Canada, Europe or even further afield and it strongly advisable, therefore, to seek professional advice from qualified experts to ensure the decision you are making is definitely the right one for you.
In addition, it is also exceedingly important to familiarize yourself with the different types of teaching jobs overseas, the most significant ones being:
- A Teacher Affiliated With The Peace Corps
Essentially a voluntarily position, although recently there has been scope for a development of paid teaching staff, working whilst directly affiliated with the Peace Corps as a teacher abroad affords you some financial benefit as well as some much-needed security and safety, especially if you are not overly familiar with your destination country.
The application to work as a teacher partnered with the Peace Corps is a significantly lengthy process and most require at least a postgraduate degree in either your specific subject or the discipline of education in general. You must be over the age of eighteen to apply and a citizen of the United States of America and have adequate experience working as a professional teacher in this country.
- A Teacher Working For A Dedicated Learning Provider
Another viable option if you are a registered and currently working teacher who is interested in teaching abroad is to register with a dedicated learning provider who specialize in arranging placements for teachers to work overseas. Usually, such programs last between three and six months and are therefore an excellent opportunity to try out international teaching without making a more permanent and lifelong commitment.
Usually, to apply for such positions with dedicated learning providers, it is necessary to show competent and extensive experience in not just one academic institution, but many, and it is usually mandatory for the teacher to possess at least a postgraduate master’s degree qualification in their chosen area of specialism.
Furthermore, it is usual to be working at a more research-based level which is focused far more on professional development rather than leading classes, but there are always opportunities to lead lectures and talks in a more university style setting.
- A Teacher Working At A Private School
Although there are many more options available for those qualified teachers who want to work in the international school sector, it is also more than possible to work in a private school overseas.
Deciding to work at a private school hosts a wide array of benefits, not least the fact that you will require to know only the very basics of the local language. There is a wide plethora of different types of private schools, from faith-based or religious schools to international private military schools.
- A Teacher Working At A Public School
One of the most popular options for teachers who are wanting to experience life teaching internationally is to apply for a teaching role at a public school overseas.
Choosing to work at a public school will result in the opportunity to practice and eventually learn, the native language as well as spending time working with the local people of all ages as you teach. It is worth noting, however, that if you do choose to apply for a teaching job inside a public school, you should already have a basic understanding of the language.
The country you choose to teach in will greatly influence your average monthly salary.
For example, teaching at a political school in South Korea, you are likely to make between $1,690 and $2,450 a month, but in a public school in Spain, it is more likely to be around £1000 per month.
- A Teacher Working At An International School
Working as an international teacher in an international school, virtually anywhere in the world, is the second most popular option for all professional and qualified teachers who are either native English speakers or else are totally fluent in the language.
Usually, working as a teacher in an international school will not require you to know any of the local language, due to the immersive nature of the role, yet again, it would be advisable to at least teach yourself the basics.
A huge advantage to choosing to teach at an international school is that, in most cases, you will be awarded living expenses and usually benefit from free education for your own children insurance, paid vacations and even the airfare from your native country.
Other Career Pathways In Education
Aside from the teacher to principal to lecturer to professor route, there is a myriad of other demanding and equally as rewarding career paths one can pursue in the field of education, some of which do not have the pre-requisite of a doctorate, or even a postgraduate, qualification.
Other careers based in the education sector include, but are categorically in no way limited to:
- School Inspector
- Nursery Worker
- Teaching Assistant
- Nursery Manager
- Special Educational Needs Teacher
- Mental Health Educational Practitioner
- Educational Psychologist
- Laboratory Teaching Technician
- Education Welfare Officer
- Private Tutor
- School Librarian
