Explore Careers in Education & Training
The education and training career cluster focuses on the activities, resources, and locations that provide all kinds of learning services. It includes careers at public and private schools at every level—pre-K through high school—as well as colleges and universities. Occupations at libraries, museums and corporate training services are also part of this cluster.
Students and alumni interested in careers in education and training, this space is for you! Take a look at the blog posts, videos, and resources below to help support you in your career journey.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
Teachers and Educators
From pre-K classrooms to university lecture halls, teaching careers span every level of education and every subject area.
Trainers, Learning & Development
Design, deliver, and evaluate training programs that help employees grow from onboarding to leadership development.
Educational Administrators
Lead schools, districts, and higher education institutions — shaping curriculum, policy, and the learning environment.
Instructional Designers
Build engaging learning experiences and curricula across corporate, nonprofit, and academic settings.
Career Pathways
This is an extensive, but not exhaustive, list of industries and career pathways you can enter with a background in Education & Training:
- Classroom teaching
- Educational administration
- Teaching in higher education
- Instructional coaching
- Instructional design
- Training and development
- Corporate learning
- Curriculum development
- Library and information services
- Museum education
- Early childhood education
- Special education
Employers
This is an extensive, but not exhaustive, list of employers who recruit and hire for roles in Education & Training.
- K-12 Schools, both public and private
- Higher Education institutions
- Government agencies
- Corporations with a training and development department
- Nonprofits
- Libraries and museums
- After-school and youth programs
- Community colleges
- Online learning platforms
Career Navigation Strategies
Education:
- Volunteer with a local school district, summer camp, after-school program, non-profit, or community center
- Check out this list of organizations that offer internships in education & youth programs
- Tutor students to improve your teaching skills
- Mentor a teen to boost your skills
- Substitute teach in your local school district
Training:
- Identify opportunities to develop and lead a training in your current role
- Offer to train or mentor new hires during their onboarding process
- Job shadow with a trainer
- Many volunteer organizations need assistance training their volunteers — check out local non-profits to inquire
Frequently Asked Questions
Aside from the most common career path – classroom teaching – there are many paths one could take in these fields. Some career paths we’ve commonly seen WGU alumni pursue are educational administration, teaching in higher education, instructional coaching, instructional design, training and development, and corporate learning.
Common skills needed for roles in education and training are leadership, problem solving, communication, active listening, and collaboration.
It depends on the role. K-12 classroom teaching in public schools requires a state-issued teaching license, which typically involves completing a teacher preparation program and passing licensure exams. Private schools may have different requirements. Roles in higher education, corporate training, instructional design, and educational administration generally do not require a teaching license — though certifications like the ATD CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development) can strengthen your candidacy in training and development roles.
Many people successfully move into education and training from other careers by leveraging subject matter expertise and building facilitation experience. Some practical steps include:
- Volunteer to train or mentor colleagues in your current role
- Substitute teach or tutor to build classroom experience
- Pursue a WGU degree or certificate in education, instructional design, or a related area
- Build a portfolio of training materials, lesson plans, or e-learning samples
- Connect with professionals in the field through LinkedIn or local education associations
Certifications can strengthen your resume and demonstrate commitment to the field. Some commonly recognized credentials include:
- ATD CPTD (Certified Professional in Talent Development) — for training and L&D professionals
- State teaching license — required for K-12 public school teaching
- SHRM certifications — relevant if your training work intersects with HR
- Google for Education or Microsoft Educator certifications — useful for ed-tech and classroom technology roles
- ISTE certifications — for educators focused on technology integration
Joining a professional association is a great way to build your network, stay current on trends, and access job boards and development opportunities. Key organizations include:
- ATD (Association for Talent Development) — for training, L&D, and instructional design professionals
- ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) — for educators focused on ed-tech
- ASCD — for curriculum, instruction, and educational leadership professionals
- NEA (National Education Association) — the largest professional organization for K-12 educators
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) — useful if your training role overlaps with HR
