What Can You Do with an Elementary Education Degree?

Radek, what jobs can you get with an Elementary Education Degree? I’m wondering, what can I do with an Elementary Education Degree?

Most students who earn degrees in elementary education become elementary teachers. However, it can be tough to find a teaching position immediately after graduation. The applicant pool can be deep. Many graduates work as teacher assistants, education technicians, or substitute teachers for a while, until they get their own teaching position.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of elementary school teachers is expected to grow by 13 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is about as fast as average for all occupations. Of all teaching jobs, the elementary level can be the toughest job market to crack. Many potential teachers are drawn to this age group of students, so the competition can be tough.

In some parts of the country, the population is increasing, so there is a need for new teachers. However, in many parts of the country, enrollment is declining as children of the baby-boomer generation grow up. Student enrollment in the Midwest is expected to hold steady, while it is expected to decline in the Northeast (BLS). Jobs will be more plentiful in urban areas, and teachers who can speak a second language will have an advantage.

Be aware that teaching in a public school (and in many private schools) will require state certification. While some college degree programs will guide you through the certification steps, some do not, and if you find a job in a state other than the one in which you earned a degree, you might have to jump through some hoops.

Many elementary education degree holders go on to graduate school, but not always right away. If you want to go into administration, you will probably need to teach for a few years in order to gain the necessary experience, and then earn an advanced degree.

Careers you can get with a degree in Elementary Education include:

• Education Technician
• Elementary School Teacher
• Teacher Assistant