Careers in Education

Whether you see yourself in front of a classroom, in a graduate program for education, working in administration or contributing through policy, the field of education can offer interesting and rewarding experiences.

Check out the video of our education panel from summer 2020.

Information Gathering

Post-Graduate Service Programs

There are many post-graduate service programs that work to close the opportunity gap in the U.S. by pairing recent graduates and mid-career professionals with high-need schools. Programs vary widely. Some are religious in nature, while others have specific missions, such as serving low-income communities. These programs have different aims and different approaches to achieve those aims, so start exploring early to give yourself time to figure out which is the best fit for you. Application deadlines begin as early as late fall and generally end in March.

Download our list of postgraduate service programs (PDF).

Private, Independent and Charter Schools

Some schools are not bound by federal or state education laws and consequently they have more freedom to hire new teachers than most public schools. Recruiting is usually heaviest between January and May but can last until the school year starts (usually August).

Public Schools

Most public school districts offer expedited application processes, provisional certification, and teacher mentorship for candidates with expertise in a subject that is critically needed in their school. Check with the districts where you are considering teaching for more information.

Higher Education

Many students are qualified for careers in higher education administration. Some common entry-level higher education jobs include jobs in student affairs, housing or advising offices. If you are interested in business, most universities and colleges have staff dedicated to budgeting, finance, fundraising and more. A nice bonus of working in higher education is that most institutions offer some tuition assistance to help you pay for a graduate degree or other professional certification. Recruiting for jobs in higher education typically peaks in late spring and over the summer.

Select Education Associations

Check out some of these national associations to learn more about opportunities in the field of education:

Making Connections

Attend employer information sessions, industry events — on and off-campus — and connect with the local chapter of popular professional organizations.Volunteering for a conference, educational, or social event is another great way to connect with leaders in the industry.

Our website provides helpful guidelines on networking and LinkedIn shares how to build your LinkedIn student profile. Joining groups related to your industry is a great way to meet new people, find mentors, contacts, and ask questions. Reach out to alumni through Hoya Gateway, Georgetown University’s alumni page on LinkedIn, and on Georgetown University’s Alumni Career Network.We also routinely assists with CSJ’s Education Week and the Options’ Series, both of which often include education and service organizations.

Preparing Materials

To better understand what skills to highlight on your resume, check out internships, fellowships, and entry-level positions in education.

The Department of Education maintains a state-by-state list of teaching certification requirements.

Requirements for private schools are often different public schools. Be sure to research the application requirements for each school or district that you are applying for.

SelectEd also has a number of great resources, including online courses and a blog to help you find opportunities in the field of education.

Your resume should be one page. Use strong action verbs and focus on your skills and accomplishments to show (not just tell) an employer that you have the required abilities. Be concise. See our resume formatting guide for more tips and advice.

Be energetic, intelligent, and aware when writing cover letters. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and abilities.

The purpose of a cover letter is to convince someone to interview you. For more on cover letters, see our cover letter tips.

Applying

Select Education Employers

Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE)
Location: Multiple
Duration: 2 years
Levels: Grade 2 – 12
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Blue Engine
Location: New York City
Duration: 1 – 2 years
Levels: Grades 8 – 10
Masters: no
Certification: yes

Center for Inspired Teaching
Location: Washington, DC
Duration: 2 years
Levels: All grades
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

KIPP
Location: Multiple
Levels: All
Master’s: No
Certification: Varies

Georgetown University’s Master of Arts in Educational Transformation
Location: DC, Maryland, Virginia
Duration: 1 year
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Match Corps
Location: Massachusetts
Duration: 1 year
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Citizen Schools
Location: Multiple
Duration: 2 years
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

NYC Teaching Fellows
Location: New York City
Duration: 2 – 3 years
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency Program
Location: San Francisco, CA, Washington, DC, Danbury, CT, Upstate and Central New York, and New York City
Duration: 1 year
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

PLACE Corps – Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education at Loyola Marymount University
Location: Southern California
Duration: 1 year
Levels: K–12
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

The New Teacher Project (TNTP)
Locations: Baltimore, MD, Indianapolis, IN, New Orleans, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Urban Teachers
Locations: Maryland, Texas, Washington, DC
Duration: 4 years
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Mississippi Teachers Corps
Locations: Mississippi
Duration: 2 years
Levels: Grades 5 – 6
Master’s: Yes
Certification: Yes

Urban Catholic Teacher Corps (Boston College)
Locations: Massachusetts
Duration: 2 years
Levels: All
Master’s: Yes

Loyola Chicago’s LU-CHOICE Program
Locations: Chicago, IL
Duration: 2 years
Levels: Grades 1 – 8
Master’s: Yes

Joining a student group can be another good way to get hands-on experience in the field of education. Georgetown offers a number of opportunities for you to get involved – DC Reads, DC Schools Project, and MoneyThink, to name a few.

In addition, The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching and Service has partnerships with nonprofit organizations throughout the DC area that enable you to get experience in educational settings.