When most people think about the career opportunities offered with a masters in childhood education, they might immediately think of teaching as the only option. However, while it is true that the majority of graduates will move naturally into the role of educator, this versatile degree can also be used to open doors to multiple other vocations.
Completing a masters in any subject proves many things to a potential employer including that you have high levels of dedication, determination, tenacity and staying power – all of which can be desirable qualities when applying for managerial roles later in life. Many employers insist on a degree when considering who to advance further up the career ladder.
Studying a Masters in Early Childhood Education will give you specialist knowledge of multiple forms of childhood development, covering children from birth to age five. These include understanding how to advance numeracy, language and literacy skills as well as an awareness of disciplinary techniques. You will also learn about childhood mental and emotional health skills, intervention strategy and special education services.
Should you decide to start a family, these abilities will also prove useful with the upbringing of your own children.
Careers directly related to education
In most cases, a degree in childhood education will naturally lead the graduate into some form of teaching, whether that be kindergarten, pre-school or child care. However, even taking a teaching-oriented job in a school can quickly branch into multiple possible sideways careers, including:
- Curriculum development positions
- School administration roles
- Designing and developing learning programs
- Specialist interventionist roles
- Writing, designing or publishing course materials (for your school and others)
Other possible careers linked to childhood education
While it is true the majority of childhood education graduates pursue a career directly related to teaching, there are numerous other directions you could follow with the skills you’ve developed through your study, such as:
Working with childhood development businesses: For example, helping design toys or other products aimed specifically at young children.
Mentoring childcare businesses: Kindergartens and childcare facilities are often started by business people that have no specialist knowledge of the industry. Your skills can be highly useful in helping their businesses get started.
Working with education publishers: An understanding of childhood advancement and how to develop numeracy and language skills is essential for the design and writing of specialist children’s learning aids and books.
Working in broadcasting or multimedia: The same knowledge of childhood development is a highly sought-after skill in the broadcasting and multimedia industry, for the development of children’s programming or interactive learning tools.
Jobs in adoption agencies or adoption-related businesses: Working directly with young children to find them a new family.
Taking a role with social services to protect children: Having a keen understanding of expected childhood development at specific ages can be a sure way of identifying lack of care or abuse in children.
Child advocacy: Working on behalf of children to maintain their rights.
A degree in childhood education offers graduates a wide range of possible career paths while also affording a tremendous sense of achievement knowing you’re making a positive impact on the next generation.
