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 This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: career advice and job huntjob hunt.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Professional Ethics
You've been offered a job. You're not sure you want the job but you say yes. Then you have second thoughts and decide maybe this job isn't the one for you after all. Or perhaps a better offer comes along. What do you do?
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
When Are the Job Fairs?
Reader Question:
I am an elementary credentialed teacher in California. I want to know about teaching job fairs recruiting for New York City, Washington D.C. or Hawaii. Can you help provide any of this information.—M.
I am an elementary credentialed teacher in California. I want to know about teaching job fairs recruiting for New York City, Washington D.C. or Hawaii. Can you help provide any of this information.—M.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
What Employers Want You to Know
Are you dedicated? Committed to teaching? Do you have expertise in your field? Are you knowledgeable about effective teaching and classroom management? Do you understand learning theories? Can you differentiate your instruction with relevance to the learner? Can you collaborate with other departments and grade levels and be a team player? Are you honest, hard-working, and competent? Do you possess high-quality personal characteristics such as being conscientious, caring, confident, creative, intelligent, articulate, enthusiastic, flexible, motivated, adaptable, and have a sense of humor? If you answered yes to these questions, employers are looking for you.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Response to Question: Special Ed Certification vs Master's Degree
Question:
I graduated from college in spring 2009 as a physical education major, but I realize my love is special education(moderate). I never certified in physical education, but my question is should I go back to school and get another bachelor degree in special education or should I try to get a master degree in special education? From Reader MB2003
I graduated from college in spring 2009 as a physical education major, but I realize my love is special education(moderate). I never certified in physical education, but my question is should I go back to school and get another bachelor degree in special education or should I try to get a master degree in special education? From Reader MB2003
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Job Search Advice from Current Teachers
What advice would you offer future teachers as they search for a teaching position? This question was asked in a survey sent to over 700 teachers in North Carolina, with 344 responding. The purpose of the survey was to collect data that will ultimately help current education students understand the job search process and develop their job search strategies. This survey was administered from April 15- June 30, 2009. Here is their advice:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Where do I begin? The Career Center
Where Do I Begin? The Career Center
You've heard the quotes: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." "No good ending can be expected in the absence of the right beginning."
You've heard the quotes: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." "Today is the first day of the rest of your life." "No good ending can be expected in the absence of the right beginning."
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
The World is Your Marketplace
Watching the Olympics games in Vancouver has reminded me of all the global opportunities for teachers. The world really is your job market. Last week alone I was contacted by an American school director from Vietnam and another looking for candidates to teach in Istanbul. Opportunities to teach in international schools continue to grow. However, the sponsorship and types of schools vary significantly. International schools are sponsored by governmental agencies, business agencies or individuals, for profit or non-profit. Similar to U.S. schools, most international schools hire certified teachers. Certification in multiple areas is highly valued and the ability to coach sports or assist in extra-curricular activities is highly sought after.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Ensuring Success at Teacher Recruitment Fairs
Spring is just around the corner and we are quickly approaching the recruiting season for teachers. Teacher Career Fairs are great "one stop shops" for school district research and job search. For information about the teacher career fair and other teacher recruitment events, check your state or county's Departments of Education and teacher job websites, such as www.topschooljobs.org and www.aaee.org .
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Marketing Yourself in a Competitive Environment
Think differently about getting the message of your candidacy to the individuals responsible for hiring. In today's competitive job market where there may be hundreds or even thousands of applicants for each position, and with the advent of online applications, it is increasingly difficult to catch the attention of principals and human resource professionals.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
The Online Job Application
The application process for candidates can be a frustrating process considering the variance between what is expected from one school district to the next. While there are a number of school districts that require candidates to complete paper & pen applications, a growing number of districts require candidates to complete online applications. These online applications can be time-consuming endeavors that challenge the patience and test the desire of many candidates.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Improving Your Candidacy
When speaking with candidates during job fair events, I am often asked what people can do to "stand out" as they look for a position. Following are some things to keep in mind as you navigate the process:
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
Education Candidates: Prepare for the Hiring Season
We are rapidly approaching a time when things get really hectic. Whether you are an administrative or teacher candidate, there are tasks that you can be completing now to make it easier this spring.
Job Hunting Tips & Advice
Opinion
What Does Networking Mean for Teacher Candidates?
I recently attended the American Association for Employment in Education (AAEE) national conference. The unique aspect of this association is that the membership consists of directors of university and college career centers and K-12 school district Human Resources directors. We had great conversations between institutions that train and provide teachers with those in school districts who want to hire them.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
December Graduates
I had an opportunity recently to talk to a group of student teachers at a local university. The questions that they asked were general and typical of those that I've answered in the past. One question, however, was timely and I think worthy of sharing in this blog. What should teacher candidates be doing to maximize their job search process for teaching positions if they are graduating mid-year?