The Type of Education? What Type of Work Environment?
What type of industry is education? It seems like a simple question to answer. However, education is far from simple. The education industry is quite diverse and expansive, playing an important part in many countries throughout the world. In fact, the United States alone boasts of numerous industries that are directly related to education. Take a further look below at the state of play in regards to jobs, job-related skills, and how you can get your foot in the door with education in today’s market.
Education is primarily focused upon promoting learning through a structured curriculum and professional development activities. Within this focus lies the building of students’ soft skills and abilities such as self-discipline, motivation, dedication, problem-solving, creativity, and teamwork. While most students learn better when taught by someone who they respect and admire, education industry work frequently requires the application of these same soft skills in the presence of others. These activities are often necessary for students to excel in their positions.
Teachers of education often fill multiple roles. At a secondary level, a teacher is typically either a teacher in a private or public school. On the tertiary level, teachers are generally employed in universities, community colleges, and technical schools. At the tertiary level, teachers may be deployed to special education, physical education, and health sciences settings. These teachers are typically at the head of the ladder in their respective positions, but there is usually a level of support and supervision necessary to ensure the success of their position.
A teacher can also take on the role of a principal or vice-principal. The primary role of a principal is to manage the flow of information in and out of the classroom, making sure that all parties involved are happy with the process and that no one feels excluded from learning. At a secondary school, a teacher can assume the role of an athletic director, responsible for the day to day running of athletic programs and events. A teacher at a college or university will typically fill a number of these same soft skills, as they seek to teach while developing their knowledge and skills as leaders in their field.
Some of the most exciting opportunities available to teachers of education come in the form of higher education. The typical educational environment will include laboratories, classrooms, libraries, computer labs, and other hands-on functions. At colleges and universities, the average teacher spends much more time in the “hands on” aspect of the classroom.
As a result, the teacher must have the interpersonal skills required to effectively interact with and learn from his or her students. Many colleges and universities offer programs specifically focused on preparing students to enter the workforce in a multitude of different fields. For example, some colleges and universities have preparation programs that help high school graduates prepare to enter the teaching profession in elementary or preschool education, special education, or teacher education.
Another industry that often makes up a large portion of the educational services sector is the health care industry. Healthcare professionals make up a large proportion of the labor force within the healthcare industry. Health care administrators, doctors, nurses, technicians, office managers, and other jobs exist within the healthcare industry. One of the most common employment titles within the health care industry is “professional healthcare administrator”. Oftentimes, professional healthcare administrators lead large teams of individuals and oversee a massive structure of people who help make the medical system run smoothly.
While many of the typical jobs within the education and healthcare industry are quite similar, there are a number of completely unique positions that exist within each industry. In education, administrators direct the day-to-day activities of learning. In healthcare, education is considered to be part of the solution to healing. And in the health care industry, professionals work in conjunction with other workers to plan and deliver care. If you’re interested in entering any of these fields, then keep these key pieces of information in mind:
It is important to understand the education and the work environment characteristics that most occupations share. By understanding which type of environment you will have to work in, you can better prepare yourself for the future. Knowing the differences between the different work environments and industries will not only help you find gainful employment, but it will also help you understand how you will fit into the education and the work environment of your future profession.