Many freshmen students start out college undeclared; they aren’t sure what they want to major in and hope to use their first year to find something they want to study. Unfortunately, many students take up to 2 years to decide on a major, and they may even switch majors several times up into their junior year. This wastes a lot of time and money, and can significantly delay graduation.
If you have no idea what you want to major in, one option you might consider is taking time off from college. If taking a break isn’t an option for you, doing your research and finding a major you can be passionate about should be your number one priority. The sooner you declare a major that you want to stick with, the more you can focus on taking the classes you need to graduate, allowing you to stay on track to graduate on time.
This education feature is one in a continuing series of “Undeclared” posts. Other majors that have been explored include Counseling, Information Technology, Linguistics, Data Sciences, Communications, and Accounting.
A Degree in Education Administration
If you want to implement real and tangible change in society, the field of education may be the perfect career for you. While most think a career in education is only for those looking to teach, there are so many more avenues to explore beyond the classroom.
Beyond the role of a teacher, education professionals impact the lives of students through administration and policy. These careers are comparatively far-removed from daily interactions with students but affect their learning experience almost directly. Education establishments shape the future and for those looking to better the system, pursuing a degree or major in education and educational policy is the perfect way to foray into this field. Of course, each role comes with its own academic requirements, and choosing what to specialize in early on can help you build a strong foundation for your future career.
Education Policy Analysts
As the field of education rapidly changes, the need for dedicated Education Policy Analysts has increased with it. Policy analysts are primarily responsible for researching, introducing, and implementing programs that affect the educational sectors they work in. As a policy analyst, you will be in a unique position to help change education establishments from within and as a whole.
The scope of work for an education policy analyst primarily includes:
- Studying issues that commonly affect educational institutions.
- Evaluating and re-evaluating current policies and recommending new ones.
- Using feedback from students, parents, and teachers to create change.
Often, policy analysts are tasked with presenting their research to key stakeholders as well as acting as liaisons between lawmakers, government agencies, and on-ground educators.
Everything from the quality of education to critical funding, teacher training, and graduation rates fall under the purview of an Education Policy Analyst. If you are considering pursuing this career, a master’s degree or doctorate in education or public policy can make you a viable candidate. Besides offering high salaries, with most professionals earning an average of $58,828 per year and robust benefits packages, the career of an education policy analyst is also an immensely gratifying one.
Education Administrators
If you’re a natural leader with a calling towards the field of education, the career of an Education Administrator may be the perfect match. Like a ship and its captain, every educational institution needs someone to champion its goals. That’s where Education Administrators come in. Working across levels in pre-schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, they oversee day-to-day functions and create cohesive working and learning environments in their institutions.
Education Administration offers a variety of roles within it, varying from Principal, to Vice Principal, Director, Registrar, and Recruiting — each requiring their own academic credentials. The overall responsibilities of an Education Administrator include everything from curriculum, schedules, and budgets as well as equipping teachers and students with the resources they need for a fruitful education experience. Administrators are also the faces of their institutions and work closely with stakeholders, parents, and government agencies as a representative of their schools. They are the top management in any educational institution and everyone reports to them.
Educational administrators enjoy higher yearly salaries ranging between $91,000 to $104,000 according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. The role is also accompanied by unique leadership opportunities and long tenures. When starting out, candidates looking to rise up the ladder and build their experience may find themselves relocating to other schools that have open availabilities. This offers plenty of opportunity for exposure but it’s important to understand and ask questions about the differences in salaries, benefits packages, growth potential, and responsibilities before making the move.
Dean
Granted high authority within the system, deans have always held important roles in shaping educational institutes. Depending on the department they are placed in charge of (for instance academia or admissions), deans hold both academic and administrative responsibilities. Their scope of work includes coordinating between student bodies, faculty, and committees within their department. Deans are also required to plan policies, curriculums, and initiatives for the yea, and are in charge of overseeing an institute’s overall academic progress.
For those looking to create a career as a dean, high-level academic credentials combined with work experience is a must, with most institutes looking to hire candidates with a Ph.D. or a Master’s degree. According to research by Resilient Educator, deans earn, on average, between $91,000 and $95,000 a year. The field is flourishing, and the US. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a steady rise of 7% in opportunities for post-secondary administrators by 2028.
Conclusion
It’s no surprise that so many candidates are looking to forge a path in the field of education. Pursuing an education degree is the spark that ignites a deeply satisfying career. Whether as an Education Policy Analyst or an Education Administrator, being in the field of education gives you the opportunity to lead one of the country’s biggest systems into the future.
_______________________
Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori or through her portfolio.
