Early Childhood Education Careers

An early childhood education degree allows those who wish to become teachers to teach at least pre-school level through 3rd grade. Someone with an early childhood education degree is in a position to positively affect students during their most formative years. Teachers also frequently take on the role of a coach for extra-curricular school activities, or counselor. All fifty states require public school teachers to be licensed, but private schools teachers often just need their bachelor’s degree.

Employment Opportunities

Early childhood education professionals may work in a variety of environments, including:

• Public schools
• Private schools
• Alternative and specialty schools

Skills

Early childhood education professionals need a wide range of capabilities, including:

• Proficiency in all elementary school subjects
• Patience
• Creativity
• Ability to inspire motivation and confidence
• Foreign languages

Industry Spotlight

Teaching is a position many choose as a second career. Alternative licensing programs are focused on attracting such individuals.

Overall, there will be more openings in inner-city schools over the next eight years. Increased Federal funding is attracting some of the most highly qualified teachers.

- Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2008