Education
Transforming Lives and Enriching Futures Through Lifelong Learning
Education is about helping people learn and grow—from the earliest years of life through adulthood. It includes teaching in schools, training in workplaces, designing learning experiences, and supporting students in and out of the classroom. Education careers shape the future by supporting learners and communities every step of the way. Today’s education field includes more than just teachers. You’ll find counselors, mentors, social workers, curriculum designers, coaches, and even tech developers who build new tools for learning. It’s a dynamic, people-centered field where every role makes an impact.
Why We Love Education
Education careers let you make a real difference. Whether you’re helping a child read their first book or designing programs that help adults launch new careers, your work matters. These roles are especially rewarding if you 1) Enjoy helping others learn and succeed, 2) Like working with people of different ages and backgrounds, 3) Are curious, compassionate, and patient, and 4) Want to support equity and opportunity for all.
As learning moves online and becomes more personalized, the education field is growing in exciting ways. From virtual tutoring to mental health support to lifelong learning programs, there are more opportunities than ever to build a career that fits your passion.
Example Career: School Counselor
Average Salary: $63,000/year
Where People Work
Public, charter, or private schools
Colleges and universities
Online learning platforms
Afterschool or community programs
Nonprofits and education research organizations
Corporate training departments
Learning experience designer
Virtual tutor
Social-emotional learning (SEL) coach
EdTech product manager
Expanded learning (afterschool) specialist
Career readiness navigator
Cool Jobs
Early Childhood Development
Education Administration & Leadership
Learner Support & Community Engagement
Teaching, Training & Facilitation
Sub-Industries
Top Tips
You don’t always need a teaching license to get started.
While classroom teachers often need a degree and certification, many education roles don’t. Positions in after-school programs, early childhood care, ed tech support, or tutoring can be entered with certifications or associate degrees.
There’s a growing need for culturally responsive educators.
Today’s classrooms are diverse, and schools need people who understand different cultures, experiences, and learning styles. If you speak multiple languages, value inclusion, or have experience navigating barriers in school, you could be a powerful advocate for students.
Support roles are in high demand.
Counselors, paraeducators, family liaisons, and behavior specialists are essential to school success—and often easier to access than traditional teaching pathways. These careers let you work closely with students while building valuable experience for future roles.
You can shape learning beyond schools.
Training and education don’t stop at graduation. Corporate trainers, instructional designers, and digital learning specialists are all part of the education world—working with companies, nonprofits, and online platforms to help people build skills throughout life.
Hear from someone in Education
This content is based on the National Career Clusters® Framework, a national initiative led by Advance CTE. Advance CTE works to empower every learner to pursue career success through high-quality CTE programs. Their modernized framework helps connect education to real-world career opportunities and is used across the United States to guide career exploration and planning. The research and development of this content was led by Sheri Smith, founder of Indigo, and Dr. Alexandria Wright, who served as co-principal investigators for the project.