Surprising Careers You Can Pursue with an Education Degree

When most people think of careers for education majors, they naturally imagine elementary or secondary teaching. While many education majors do end up in front of a classroom, they have a variety of career options. The skills and knowledge that they gain during their time at college are transferable to a number of jobs. The following is just a small sample of non-teaching careers that education majors can pursue.

1. Corporate trainer. Corporate trainers are teachers of sorts, however, they concentrate on teaching adults rather than children. They generally work for large corporations, though some work as independent contractors and work for many different companies and non-profits. They instruct employees on a variety of subjects, including new software or hardware, new policies and procedures as well as communication skills.  With their background in teaching, education majors are perfectly suited for this job. Corporate trainers have a median income of $52,690. Corporate training jobs and other jobs in human resources are expected to grow 21 percent by 2020, which is faster than the average job growth rate.

2. Academic advisor. All colleges and universities require academic advisors, who consult with students about what major to pursue and which courses to take. They inform students of the school's requirements and help them form plans to meet their goals. Education majors, with their knowledge of academics and passion for helping students of all ages, hold ideal qualifications for these positions. Academic advisors make a median income of $53,380. The field is expected to grow 19 percent by 2020, which is about the average rate of growth for all fields.

3. Librarian. Librarians help maintain book collections in both public and academic libraries. They also assist patrons with research and help them find the information they need. While becoming a librarian may require additional coursework, education majors are suited for these positions as they learn to research in their classes and generally hold a love of learning. The median income of a librarian is $54,500. The field is expected to grow 7 percent by 2020.

4. Freelance writer. Freelance writers are independent contractors hired to write copy for corporations, non-profit organizations as well as individuals. They write advertisements, web content, books and magazine articles. Education majors are typically required to write extensively during their coursework, and so already have the skills it takes to become a successful writer. The median income of a writer is $55,420, and the field is expected to grow 6 percent by 2020.

While a major in education may seem like a one-track route to a teaching career, the truth is that education majors have numerous options. The skills they learn as part of their education curriculum apply to more than one field, and prospective employers recognize the value of an education degree's flexibility