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The field of education includes teaching, administrative, and coaching positions in public schools and charter schools, independent schools, higher education, summer camps, and adult education. It can also include educational policy, research and consulting; educational non-profits and organizations often related to access and social justice; and educational publishing and technology, as well as a myriad of careers such as museum education, health education, environmental education, and training in businesses and organizations. 

The Big Picture

Middlebury alums are college professors, elementary school teachers, high school counselors and speech pathologists, deans, admissions counselors, directors and program coordinators at educational non-profits, educational consultants, editors at university presses, teachers at gap-year and semester programs, environmental educators, nutritionists, museum educators, international educators and more.

And Middlebury students have taken part in thousands of different types of educational internships from Breakthrough Collaborative, to the Department of Education, to Grass Roots Soccer. 

What You Can Expect

You could be drawn to work in education if any of the following are true: 

  • You want to make a difference in people’s lives… 

  • You love to share information with others… 

  • You have a passion for a particular subject area… 

  • You want to influence the next generation… 

  • You love kids… 

  • You love researching, writing, and creating knowledge… 

  • You believe deeply that everyone has a right to be successful… 

  • You want to influence educational policy… 

  • You love sports… 

  • You want to connect people to their environment… 

  • You are good at mentoring others… 

  • You want to teach in another country… 

Areas of Focus

Education Administration

Graduates can pursue roles in education administration at various levels, such as becoming a school principal, assistant principal, or district superintendent. These positions involve overseeing school operations, curriculum development, staff management, and student services. 

Education Policy

Graduates can work in education policy organizations, government agencies, or advocacy groups, where they can contribute to shaping education policies, conducting research, and advocating for educational reforms at the local, state, or national level.

Curriculum Development

Graduates can join educational publishing companies, educational technology firms, or school districts as curriculum developers. They work on designing, evaluating, and implementing instructional materials, programs, and assessments to enhance student learning. 

Educational Technology

With the increasing integration of technology in education, graduates can pursue careers in educational technology (sometimes called edtech), including instructional design, e-learning development, educational software development, or educational technology consulting. They can contribute to creating and implementing innovative technological solutions in classrooms and educational settings. 

School Counseling

Graduates can become school counselors, providing academic, career, and personal counseling to students. They assist with academic planning, college applications, and social-emotional development, supporting students in their personal and educational growth. 

Higher Education

Graduates can explore careers in higher education institutions, working as admissions officers, academic advisors, student affairs professionals, or faculty members. These roles involve supporting students in their academic journey, coordinating programs, and conducting research. 

Education Consulting

Graduates can work as education consultants, providing expertise and guidance to schools, districts, or educational organizations. They may focus on areas such as curriculum design, assessment strategies, school improvement initiatives, or educational technology integration. 

Adult Education

Graduates can pursue careers in adult education programs, community colleges, or vocational training centers. They can teach adult learners, design training programs, or coordinate workforce development initiatives. 

Nonprofit and NGO Work

Graduates can join nonprofit organizations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that focus on educational initiatives. These organizations may work in areas such as education access, literacy, education for underprivileged communities, or international education development. 

Educational Research

Graduates interested in research can pursue careers in educational research institutions, think tanks, or academic institutions. They can conduct research on various educational topics, contribute to policy discussions, and publish findings to advance the field of education. 


Top Resources

Public School Teaching & Administration 

Teaching or working at a public school allows you to live anywhere in the U.S. and it helps you be part of the community while giving back and making a difference in children’s lives. Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia require teacher licensure, their rules vary by state. Teaching at a public school right after college may require provisional certification.  Here are some resources to get you started.

Stories from the Field

To learn more about potential career roles, see the following resources in which alums share their career experiences.

futureforward

futureforward features several alumni and parents who are leaders in a variety of career fields, discussing their industry’s current environment, their perspective on the future outlook for that career field, and action steps students can take now to position themselves for entry into those career fields.

MIDDVantage

MIDDVantage is a virtual career exploration program that offers Middlebury students and alumni—through the perspective of Middlebury alumni and guests—exposure to fields of interest.

Live from DC

Live From D.C. is a live webinar designed to engage guest speakers in a number of career fields in discussions about topics of interest driven by current events, frequently having policy implications and an array of career opportunity dynamics.