When we think of positions in the education field, oftentimes we may only think of teachers. When in reality, there are many different roles that fall under this umbrella, including academic advisors, education technicians, guidance counselors, and so much more! Take a look at “Education-Related Job Titles and Required Skills” to see over 50 different positions, along with some important data about employment trends in education and marketable skills to develop!
The Highlights: Top 5 Skills Across Education Positions
- Leadership: Any position in education requires leadership skills. Professionals in this field need to take charge of a group of students, provide direction, and present ideas. This requires a strong leadership skillset! You can develop your leadership skills by assuming leadership roles in group projects, joining eboards of clubs, or taking on part-time work that involved leadership (such as being a manager, substutute teacher, and more).
- Creativity: Good educators are creative. Every student is unqiue, and often a creatve approach is needed to ensure the student is understanding concepts and being successful. Creative approaches to education also tend to be more engaging for students. Work on your creativity through being curious, engaging in brainstorming, and taking risks.
- Communication: One of the most important skills for educators to be successful is communication. Posessing strong verbal and written communication skills will allow you to present ideas clearly to students. Students also may have different leanring styles, with sme being visual learners and others being auditory. Having strong communication skills in all areas will allow you to address each pupil the way they respond best. For those looking into more adminitstratibe roles, communication is necessary for meetings, parent interactions, and more. Communication skills can be expanded through asking for feedback, practicing communication, and engaging in active listening.
- Flexibility: Educators need to be flexible so they can adapt to the differing needs of their students. If something isn’t going according to plan, educators need to be able to pivot and embrace a new strategy. Administrators also need to be flexible to ensure that any issues can be resolved quickly. Work on your flexibility by practicing stress management and developing creativity and problem-solving skills.
- Technology: We live in an increasingly technology-focused world. Technology is now a focal point of most classrooms, with students learning virtually through Zoom and also needing software such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to learn and engage with material. Achieving a mastery of educational technology will allow you to incorportae it into the lesson to facilitate deeper learning. Administrators also need techology for management and organization. Take classes on LinkedIn, Coursera, and other online sites to get ceritified.
