The field of teaching is a part of the expanding education arena. The demand for qualified educators is high. Teachers of the twenty-first century prepare and train students to assimilate and use the learning to meet the needs of a fast changing environment. The greatest task is for educators to teach, as well as train, students to be problem solvers and critical thinkers.
Students must also learn to be effective communicators, verbally and in writing. Unlike former generations careers and work situations are no longer static; this applies to most working situations. Inherent in the rapidly changing, technologically-evolving learning environments is the reality that educators must continually upgrade their knowledge and skills to pass on to their students.
According to the governmental Career Outlook, “Job opportunities for teachers will vary with the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2008–18 period. Also, many beginning teachers—especially those employed in poor, urban school. . . decide to leave teaching for other careers after a year or two, creating additional job openings for teachers.”

Career Outlook reported the median annual wages of kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers ranged from $47,100 to $51,180 in May 2008; the lowest 10 percent earned $30,970 to $34,280; the top 10 percent earned $75,190 to $80,970. This is an increase from the wages reported by the Detroit Federation of Teachers in 2006.

Learning Crisis
A study by Richard Arum and Josipa Rocsa “provides strong statistical evidence of the truth: most students do not make significant gains in critical thinking, problem solving, analytical reasoning and written communication skills while in college.”

Education as a Career
Career job searchers point out that careers in education aren’t always in the classroom. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in education can lead to many different career options. The teacher may become an individual entrepreneur and establish private learning ventures. The field of education beyond the more specific designation of teaching is also expanding.
Education job searchers note that “federal, state and local government training centers employ teachers. Adult literacy and remedial education teachers are needed to instruct adults and youths in reading, writing, speaking English and math. Online educational institutions have grown in popularity. Teaching online courses is yet another non-traditional way you can use your education degree.”
Businesses in any number of areas seek people who can educate and train their employees in work-specific areas. For example, according to Career Outlook, “Classes in educational psychology in particular help you deal with situations and find solutions that you may encounter in (certain) professions. In the private sector, the communication skills you receive while earning your education degree enable you to work well with people, create cooperative work environments and supervise employees. In the business world, in-house training of employees is very popular. An education degree qualifies you to teach workshops, as well as manage an educational program inside an organization.”

Work Locations
Career Outlook indicates that “the number of teachers employed is dependent on state and local expenditures for education, and on the enactment of legislation to increase the quality and scope of public education. At the federal level, there has been a large increase in funding for education, particularly for the hiring of qualified teachers in lower income areas.”
The bottom line? With an education degree a student will have the foundation to develop multiple career opportunities.