When most professionals seek to make a change in their career path or are trying to advance in their current position, they decide to further their education in their field of study. Professionals who work in the education industry are no exception.
If you work in the education industry, for most positions you will need at least a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree. However, as the industry grows, and more positions become available, the competition for higher education leadership positions will increase as well. That is why most educators who are seeking a change in their career or looking to advance in their current position, turn to pursuing a Doctor of Education Degree (EdD).
Pursuing a Doctor of Education Degree on a college campus or an online Doctor of Education program can open the door to many job opportunities for education professionals. Having this advanced degree will help to obtain both academic based careers in higher education leadership and non-academic careers. You’re probably wondering, what can I do with a Doctorate in Education? Let’s take a closer look at 8 careers you can pursue with a Doctorate in Education.
Academic Positions
1. School Superintendent
School superintendents typically oversee the schools within a regional school district. A School Superintendent has various academic duties including budgeting, creating curriculum, and monitoring school committees and school boards. According to Best Accredited Colleges, “there will be average job growth of around 4% for elementary and secondary school education administrators between 2019 and 2029.” This means that over the next ten years, these positions will remain competitive. That is why pursuing a Doctor of Education Degree is important, to put yourself ahead of others.
2. College Professor
Many education professionals stay at the elementary through high school level during their careers because advancing to a college professor position typically requires a Doctor of Education Degree. Having this degree as part of your education also allows college professors to do research in their field of study.
3. Academic Dean
The Academic Dean at a College or University oversees one or multiple disciplines or departments. They handle various tasks involving finances, management, and relationships between students, faculty, and staff.
4. College President
The top leadership position at a college or university is the college president. College presidents take a school’s mission, values, and goals, and create a strategy for the upcoming year. They are continuously looking for ways to improve the school and learning experience for their students.
5. Provost
Provosts are usually second-in-command, below the college president and above the academic dean. Just like any other higher education leadership position, there is a competitive job market for Provost positions. Having a Doctor of Education Degree is almost always a requirement when applying for an open position.
Non-Academic Careers
For education professionals who want to advance their career, but not hold a position directly related to teaching, there are other non-academic careers available. However, the competition for these positions is still very high, which is why having a Doctor of Education Degree can put you at an advantage.
6. Chief Learning Officer
Chief Learning Officers are responsible for the training and development of employees in a company or organization. This position is usually an extension of the human resources department. To learn more about the history of the Chief Learning Officer position and the typical job duties, check out 101 on a Chief Learning Officer.
7. Education Policy Analyst
If you are looking for a way to influence education policies and regulations, you may want to research a career as an Education Policy Analyst. These positions are often available in government, lobbying organizations, and non-profit organizations. To become an Education Policy Analyst, many companies will require a Doctor of Education Degree.
8. Education Consultant
Education consultants also work with education policies and provide input into strategies, techniques, and the technology behind the policies. As an Education Consultant, you may hold a position working with families, school boards, government, educational institutions, and corporate companies.
Do these higher education leadership or non-academic positions sound like a career path you may be interested in? If you are a current education professional or are looking to change your career field to education, the competitive market is something to take into consideration.
To present yourself as a qualified applicant for these positions and have a competitive edge among other candidates, it is very important to pursue your Doctorate in Education. You can enroll in either an online Doctor of Education Degree or an on-campus doctorate program. Whichever you decide, your first step should be figuring out which position your end goal is. Then, start researching which schools and Doctor of Education programs you should enroll in to pursue your higher education leadership goals.
