3 answers
Sahmae
Student
San Bernardino, California
1
Question
Updated
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What professional activities or internships are available to students that will best prepare me, with experience, to enter into the education field (at the college level) once completing my master's in education #spring23 #educator #education #teacher #professor?
I am looking to enter into the education field as a college professor and I am in need of guidance.
3 answers
Candace Egan
Screenwriting and corporate media
11
Answers
O'Neals, CA
Updated
Candace’s Answer
I noticed you mentioned getting a masters in education. I gather you are interested in the field of education which typically means K-12 teaching and administration. It can also include literacy programs, early childhood education, and STEM programs. In a university that masters degree also can lead to jobs in student counseling and student affairs. If you want to be a professor of education, then a Masters and PhD are the path and you'll eventually decide on your area of speciality and do research in that area for your PhD which you will continue as a professor.
It seems to me if you want to teach undergraduates who want to be teachers that you would benefit from getting your own experience teaching in a K-12 classroom. You will learn so much when you have to apply teaching principles and you'll be able to guide future teachers based on your classroom experiences and that of other teachers you work with. Having classroom teaching experience and a PhD will make you a more competitive candidate for a professorship. All the education professors I worked with at my university had taught several years in a K-12 school.
Get started by applying to be a substitute teacher for your local school district.
It seems to me if you want to teach undergraduates who want to be teachers that you would benefit from getting your own experience teaching in a K-12 classroom. You will learn so much when you have to apply teaching principles and you'll be able to guide future teachers based on your classroom experiences and that of other teachers you work with. Having classroom teaching experience and a PhD will make you a more competitive candidate for a professorship. All the education professors I worked with at my university had taught several years in a K-12 school.
Candace recommends the following next steps:
Thank you so much for the advice. I'm have recently applied to be a substitute teacher and I'm hoping to hear back from the school district really soon.
Sahmae
Mona Ahmadi
Art Instructor, Artist
23
Answers
Vienna, Virginia
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello Sahmae. Several professional activities and internships can help prepare you for a career in education at the college level. If you are considering an adjunct or assistant professor position, you are usually asked for a Master- degree. Still, for tenure positions or full-time opportunities, you typically need a Ph.D. Here are a few options to consider:
Teaching Assistantships: a TA position is a great opportunity. You can work closely with professors, assist in teaching undergraduate courses, grade assignments, and provide academic support to students. This experience will give you valuable classroom exposure and an opportunity to develop your teaching skills.
Research Assistantships: If you're interested in a career in education research or academia, a research assistantship can provide valuable experience. You can assist faculty members or research teams in conducting studies, collecting data, analyzing research findings, and contributing to scholarly publications. This will deepen your understanding of educational research methods and contribute to your professional development.
Field Experiences: Many alums in education programs include field experiences or internships in their curriculum. These allow you to gain good experience working with students, faculty, and administrators in a college or university setting. You may be involved in curriculum development, lesson planning, student advising, or other administrative tasks. These experiences provide practical insights into the day-to-day workings of a college environment.
Summer Programs: Look for summer programs or workshops that focus on college-level instruction or academic support. These programs often recruit graduate students to work as instructors or mentors for undergraduate students. This can be an excellent opportunity to develop your teaching skills, gather experience in designing and delivering college-level curriculum, and work directly with students.
Volunteering: Consider volunteering with organizations that offer educational programs for college students or adult learners, such as tutoring, mentoring, or teaching in community education centers, literacy programs, or organizations that support underserved populations. Volunteering allows you to make a positive impact while gaining valuable teaching experience and networking opportunities.
Professional Associations and Conferences: Get involved in professional associations and attend conferences related to higher education and pedagogy. These events provide opportunities to network with professionals in the field, attend workshops and sessions on teaching strategies and trends, and present your own research or ideas. Active engagement in professional associations helps you stay updated with the latest developments in higher education.
Although the specific opportunities available to you might differ depending on your location, institution, and your particular field of interest, make sure to consult with your university's career services office or faculty advisors to learn about any internship available or other relevant opportunities within your area of focus. I hope it was helpful.
Teaching Assistantships: a TA position is a great opportunity. You can work closely with professors, assist in teaching undergraduate courses, grade assignments, and provide academic support to students. This experience will give you valuable classroom exposure and an opportunity to develop your teaching skills.
Research Assistantships: If you're interested in a career in education research or academia, a research assistantship can provide valuable experience. You can assist faculty members or research teams in conducting studies, collecting data, analyzing research findings, and contributing to scholarly publications. This will deepen your understanding of educational research methods and contribute to your professional development.
Field Experiences: Many alums in education programs include field experiences or internships in their curriculum. These allow you to gain good experience working with students, faculty, and administrators in a college or university setting. You may be involved in curriculum development, lesson planning, student advising, or other administrative tasks. These experiences provide practical insights into the day-to-day workings of a college environment.
Summer Programs: Look for summer programs or workshops that focus on college-level instruction or academic support. These programs often recruit graduate students to work as instructors or mentors for undergraduate students. This can be an excellent opportunity to develop your teaching skills, gather experience in designing and delivering college-level curriculum, and work directly with students.
Volunteering: Consider volunteering with organizations that offer educational programs for college students or adult learners, such as tutoring, mentoring, or teaching in community education centers, literacy programs, or organizations that support underserved populations. Volunteering allows you to make a positive impact while gaining valuable teaching experience and networking opportunities.
Professional Associations and Conferences: Get involved in professional associations and attend conferences related to higher education and pedagogy. These events provide opportunities to network with professionals in the field, attend workshops and sessions on teaching strategies and trends, and present your own research or ideas. Active engagement in professional associations helps you stay updated with the latest developments in higher education.
Although the specific opportunities available to you might differ depending on your location, institution, and your particular field of interest, make sure to consult with your university's career services office or faculty advisors to learn about any internship available or other relevant opportunities within your area of focus. I hope it was helpful.
Tiarra Hill
Teacher
40
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Tiarra’s Answer
I share your same goal to teach on a college level. After getting my Master's degree, I began applying to adjunct positions and landed one at a community College. These are low paying positions that carry a lot of work but may serve to get you a foot in the door for a permanent position. You can look into online adjunct positions and maintain a primary job to supplement the slim income from the adjunct position. This is possible if you create your assignments during the summer time, so all you would need to do is grade assignments, interact in online discussions, and answer students email questions during the academic year. There are also tutoring services and content creation services, while many are temporary, this gives you the experience you need and you can add all of that to your resume. Also, look into administrative roles on campus to get yourself familiar with coworkers and explain your interest in a teaching position if one was to come open and that you are dedicated to teaching and becoming a apart of the school's community. Whatever you do, stress how much you want to be apart of the schools community because that will prove that you are serious about becoming a member of the school.
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