Career Corner
In this blog, members of the American Association for Employment in Education, a professional organization for college career-center directors and school district recruiters, provided career advice and discuss developments in the education job market. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job huntjob hunt.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Transferring Teacher Skills: Getting Started
In today's world it is important to be flexible and adaptable. You never know when you may need to look for a job outside of teaching. For instance, what if you are geography-bound to a certain area and there is a hiring freeze or budget cuts force your school district to decrease the number of teachers and you find yourself without a job?
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
The Usefulness of a Brief Thank You
"It is being hailed as the best-ever Emmy speech, or at least the shortest ever," wrote USA Today's Olivia Barker. She was speaking, of course, about the recent acceptance speech of Merritt Wever, who won for Supporting Actress in Showtime's Nurse Jackie. Neil Patrick Harris, host of the Emmy awards show, issued similar praise, "Merritt Wever," he chimed, "best speech ever!" All she said was, "Thanks so much. Thank you so much. I gotta go. Bye."
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
How to Create Some Experience
It is often said that if your ship is slow to come in, you should swim out to meet it. The same can be extended to your acquisition of relevant experience. You need not wait for an employer to formally hand you an opportunity to gain some experience. You can create your own credible experience by volunteering and by exercising initiative. Some job-relevant experiences that the writer has encountered over the years include activities such as the following:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
It's Never Too Early: Three Tips on Launching the Job Search Process
With the fall semester of the school year underway, most seniors in our nation's teacher education programs are probably gearing up for student teaching. However, the fall semester is also a great time to gear up for your job search. Student teaching in itself can, of course, become a "try-out" for a vacancy that may occur on campus; but even ahead of the student teaching experience, there are some enjoyable actions you can take to launch your job search. Don't wait for the official job fair/recruitment season. Here are 3 steps you can take right now, this fall.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
THAT Kind of Teacher
On September 5, 2013, major U.S. news networks presented a heartwarming story of seven puppies and their mother, Sheba, who were re-united in the state of New York, with the soldiers who had befriended them in Afghanistan. The men's unit was being shut down and they were fearful of what would happen to Sheba and her pups when they returned home. The men had nursed Sheba back to health after the birth of the puppies, using their MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and beef jerky. Sheba had remained a very loyal, protective partner for the men.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Are you guilty of "False Diligence"?
I hear this a lot: "I've been applying everywhere, updating often, doing EVERYTHING.... but getting no results." In this digital age, you may feel like you are being diligent, but are you really? Another way to define false diligence is the old term "Spinning your wheels." So how do you get some traction?
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
"It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know"
We've all heard that line, and after a few rejections and seeing some others hired before us, we may start to truly believe it. But it really is wrong. In fact, it is wrong on two counts.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Resume and Application Tips
Applications, resumes and job applications are always a "Work In Progress," or should be. Gone are the days when you took your résumé to the stone mason and had it carved in stone. Two things that employers look for are individual tailoring and recent activity.
Professional Development
Opinion
The Art of Classroom Management
On September 3, 2013, Education Week began a three-part PD webinar series on the topic of classroom management. As most of the teachers who read this blog know, classroom management—the ability to create a purposeful and supportive learning environment—is a central element of effective teaching.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
September Job Search Tips
Since it is September, post-Labor Day, I will assume that those of you reading this are either professionals in the field, seniors about to graduate or recent graduates who haven't secured that permanent position and are looking for assistance (also known as "freaking out....").
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Choosing a Career in Teaching
There are countless reasons to choose teaching as a profession. You may be pursuing teaching because you feel strongly about impacting student learning and development. You might be attracted to the autonomy that comes with having your own classroom. Maybe you were inspired to choose teaching as a profession because of a particularly influential teacher or mentor. Other reasons include: passion for a particular subject matter, a desirable work schedule, or the variety that comes with teaching.
Professional Development
Opinion
Tips for First-Year Teachers
Transitioning from a teacher education program to having your own classroom for the first time can be an exciting and overwhelming experience for new professionals. To assist with the transition, here are some tips for first-year teachers provided by educators with a few years of teaching experience.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Starting Your Education Job Search
The fall semester is a great time to lay a firm foundation for your education job search. Take steps to secure references, update your job search materials, and determine how employers in your area search for aspiring educators.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
What Now?
As summer comes to a close, many schools begin new teacher orientation, teacher workshops, and professional development activities before the start of school. Maybe you are one of those new teachers anxiously awaiting your orientation and the start of the school year. Or, perhaps you've yet to receive a full-time offer. In a tight education job market, your job search may take longer than anticipated. If you haven't landed a full-time teaching position, don't lose hope! There are steps you can take to stay connected and keep your skills sharp while continuing your search.