You might think people with careers in Education & Training are all employed in schools, and many are. But people with teaching skills also are employed across almost all industries to help companies and organizations develop their talent. Like 16 other career clusters that the U.S. Department of Labor defines and tracks, Education & Training takes in multiple sectors and many careers, some of which also might overlap other categories. Learn more about the U.S. Department of Labor’s industry clusters and their economic outlook.
Adults using these resources to help students explore careers may also find it helpful to use the Career Journeys Supplemental Materials we’ve prepared for teachers and counselors.
Bringing advocacy skills to higher education
Chaz Kellem is Director at PittServes, a unit of the University of Pittsburgh’s Student Affairs division. Begun with the Pittsburgh Pirates, his career has taken him through the corporate, nonprofit, and higher education sectors.
Public health depends on the environment
As a Women for a Healthy Environment Program Director, Kara Rubio combines her training in public health with an interest in the environment to help schools identify environmental problems and solutions.
Coaching a collegiate sport
As Head Coach of Duquesne University’s soccer team, Chase Brooks explains why coaches in collegiate sports are educators as much as they are trainers or athletes.
To PSU exec, soft skills are essential skills
As Penn State University’s Director of Continuing Education & Workforce Development, Debra Roach, PhD, relies as much on skills she learned as a hair stylist as those developed on the way to earning a doctorate.
Combining graphics and technology skills
A Marketing & Graphic Design Specialist for The Christian Academy outside Philadelphia, Ryan Davis said his current job combines everything he loves to do. In his view, anyone who wants a similar career needs “a creative drive.”
Health care is more than doctors and nurses
Malissa Seman is a Project Manager with Allegheny Health Network. Her unusual path to a position in the health sciences gives insight into careers behind the front lines.
Product management involves a little bit of everything
Product management gives Corrie Potter a chance to dabble in every aspect of her business, from the creative elements of product development to sales and training.
Educator loves having a positive impact on youth
Kristin Szewczyk wanted to work in a helping profession and achieved her goal of combining speech pathology and education.
Helping high school students earn college credits
Brenna Jones, Early College Program Director for Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC), started her own career in radio before moving into higher ed. Her advice about choosing a path is “keep an open mind.”
Academia brings benefits and challenges of unstructured time
As a University of Pittsburgh Professor and Associate Dean of Medical Research, Donald DeFranco’s work is a combination of teaching and research.
Strengthening connections between high school, higher ed, and community
As Director of Programs & Policy Implementation for Northern Illinois University’s Education Systems Center, Edith Njuguna works to strengthen the alignment between high schools and higher ed.
Pursuing an academic career
Khirsten Scott, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh with a specialty in Black rhetoric and public writing. Her position in higher education and training offers insights into life as a professor.
Taking the law to a different court
Kacie Farmer got her law degree only to learn she didn’t feel cut out for life in a law firm. The legal background still comes in handy, however, as she caters to legal clients for Thomson Reuters.
A passion for teaching
The winner of our Student Video Competition interviewed Karen Lau to find out about her career as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher.
Working with animals, but not for a vet or in a zoo
As Education Program Director for Allegheny Land Trust, Julie Travaglini wears many hats. One day, she might be indoors writing lesson plans or grants and the next, she’s in the field immersing them in nature.
Facilitating as a method of teaching
As Faculty Lead of the Fellows Program at Coro Pittsburgh and Professor at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Armani Davis facilitates conversations as a method of teaching and learning.
A drive to help others know they can succeed
Caring about people and the planet, and having struggled herself in school, are among the reasons Alyssa Mulé enjoys her job as Coordinator of High School Programs for Phipps Conservatory.
“Find the fun in anything you do.”
That’s the advice from Jennifer Torrance who came to her job as a Youth Climate Advocacy Committee Coordinator at Phipps Conservatory after holding posts with organizations whose work ranged from therapeutic horseback riding to invasive species removal.
I Reach, I Teach: Conversations with Educators of Color
In Pennsylvania, 37% of K-12 learners are students of color. Yet educators of color only represent 7% of the K-12 workforce. In an effort to be one among many voices seeking to change these stats, the I Reach, I Teach: Conversations with Educators of Color video series seeks to elevate the voices of educators of color in PA to highlight the incredible impact that representation has on teaching and learning.
These statistics are from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Dr. Tamara Allen-Thomas, Superintendent
As Superintendent of Clairton City School District, Dr. Tamara Allen-Thomas believes it’s her job to ensure “every student is given the opportunity to reach their highest potential.” She’s thrived in education because “it’s about growth and change—it’s like planting a seed and seeing it sprout and flower.”
Eric Harper, Elementary School Principal
Although careers in education may never lead to monetary riches, they bring their own rewards, said Eric Harper, Principal of Duquesne Elementary School. “Changing lives is priceless—that’s where the real riches come in.”
Christyn Coles, Literacy Coach
Christyn Coles, a Literacy Coach at Woodland Hills High School, encourages students of color to consider education as a career for multiple reasons. She sees a need for representation in the field and believes education “is a special occupation—it’s not just a job, it’s not just work, it’s a calling.”
Dr. Chuck Herring, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Chuck Herring, South Fayette Township School District’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, was fortunate to go to schools where Black educators were the norm. Consequently, most of his peers went to the top of their fields after graduating, he said, adding, “if you can see it, you can believe it and you can do it.”
Tameka Akins, Special Education Teacher
For Tameka Akins, a Special Education teacher, “an aha moment” in Barrett Elementary School’s cafeteria underscored the importance of people of color seeking education careers. As she helped kindergartners find seats for lunch, the realization hit home when a little boy shouted in surprise, “you look like me!”
Carlton Heywood, Librarian
A 30+ year veteran of education, Carlton Heywood, who recently retired as a teacher and librarian at Pittsburgh Brashear High School, said the thing he’s liked most about his job has been “being able to set goals and have students achieve those goals and even surpass their expectations and the expectations of everyone else. It’s a beautiful feeling–to me, that’s the joy of teaching.”
Ebony Bowden, English Teacher
For Ebony Bowden, a 9th grade English teacher at Steel Valley High School, one of the most gratifying aspects of her job is “forging relationships with students and seeing them mature and grow…in intellect as well as socially and emotionally.”
Brandy Daye, Elementary Principal
Three Black educators—an elementary school principal, a 5th grade teacher, and a high school guidance counselor had a tremendous impact on Brandy Daye, Principal at McKeesport Area School District’s United at Twin Rivers Elementary School. “Without them, I don’t know if I’d have become a teacher.”
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