8 Opportunities to Work in Education Without a Teaching Degree
Working in education can be extremely rewarding. Depending on the role, you can have a large and lifelong impact on students' lives, especially at schools with limited resources. And just because you aren't graduating with a degree in the field, it doesn't mean that it's too late for you to explore the industry. In fact, there are plenty of options for grads to teach or work in education-related roles without a teaching degree.
We've rounded up some of those opportunities and what you might experience in those roles.
City Year
If you’re looking to make a large social impact as you start your career and love working with kids, City Year might just be your perfect fit. During your 11–months of national service, you’ll teach and mentor students at systematically under-resourced schools — and you don’t need a previous background in education to do so. In fact, students from all majors are invited to apply to support young learners through tutoring, by encouraging leadership skills, and providing other means of academic support. Read more here.
Educational Testing Service
Educational Testing Service (ETS) is the largest global, nonprofit testing administrator, offering the GRE, Praxis, and TOEFL — to name a few. They are comprised of people with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds who share a passion for advancing quality and equity in education. We are dedicated to building teams that reflect the backgrounds, experiences, and identities of those we serve. In addition ETS is at the forefront of edtech, having developed technology to create meaningful learning solutions to serve users in K-12, higher education, the workforce, and the language learning ecosystem known as “AI Research Labs.” To get your feet wet in this growing area of higher education, ETS offers many internship opportunities for students to learn and develop, gain practical work experience and exposure to the strategic work that the company does, all while making them even more competitive candidates when it comes time to apply for full-time roles at ETS. Read more about joining ETS here.
GO Foundation
The GO Foundation taps the power of national service to provide high-dosage tutoring, mentorship, and enrichment opportunities each day to students at schools across the Northeast and always welcomes the help of new grads to continue educating students. GO Americorps Fellows provide instruction in math or English language arts, providing students with the necessary support to perform well in school and prepare for college. While GO Americorps Fellows must have an associates or bachelors degree, they don’t need any previous teaching experience or that degree to be in education. Read more here.
Great Hearts Academies
Great Hearts Academies is a growing network of 43 public, open-enrollment, tuition-free schools in San Antonio (TX), Dallas/Ft. Worth (TX), Phoenix (AZ), and (opening in fall 2023) Baton Rouge (LA). Great Hearts Academies currently provides over 24,000 K-12 students with access to a high quality, classical liberal arts education, without the barriers that often come with private prep schools. With teaching roles open to students from all academic backgrounds, Great Hearts is a great place for recent grads to explore a career in education and make a direct impact on young learners’ lives. Learn more about how to apply to become a Great Hearts Academies teacher here.
Mathematica
Mathematica uses data, analytics, and technology to improve well-being around the world. In the education sector, our work is helping to address a wide range of pressing issues, from expanding and diversifying the teacher pipeline to understanding the most effective ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in schools. With a commitment to equitable and inclusive practices, our education research informs better decisions for greater impact. Our company is employee-owned, inclusive, and offers a range of flexible workplace opportunities at all levels. We hope you’ll keep reading and learn more here.
Success Academy
Success Academy is the highest-performing network of public charter schools in New York City and seeks to provide a world-class K-12 education to students of all backgrounds, particularly those from low-income communities. Success Academy does not require teachers to have a background in education to jump into a teaching role — it provides all the necessary training and mentorship to teach at one of its top charter schools. Learn more about becoming a Success Academy teacher here.
Teach For America
Teach For America (TFA) is a nonprofit that has a 30-year track record of providing quality education for students in low-income communities — and is a great way for recent grads to make generational impact as they start their careers. Teach For America is a diverse network of leaders who confront educational inequity by teaching for at least two years and then working with unwavering commitment from every sector of society to create a nation free from this injustice. As educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and community members, we fight for the aspirations of students and families. Read more about how you can confront both the challenges and joys of expanding opportunities for kids here.
Urban Teachers
Urban Teachers offers the most thorough teacher preparation program model in the nation for new grads of any major looking to work in education. This organization focuses on schools in Baltimore, Dallas, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. (and offers relocation assistance!), with the goal of creating a pipeline of highly effective teachers who are committed to their students, schools, and communities. By joining Urban Teachers’ paid Residency Program, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a Master of Art in Teaching (M.A.T), and receive one-on-one coaching that culminates in being certified as a teacher. Following the program, you’ll have the skills and tools you need to be an effective educator. Interested in learning more about Urban Teachers and this opportunity to jumpstart a career in the education industry? Find more information here.
If you’re curious about what it might be like to work in education after college — regardless of what you studied in college — this list is a great starting point. Whether you want to work in person with the littlest learners or contribute to research helping shape the education industry as a whole, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. Just be sure to highlight the soft skills you would bring to such a role on your resume, such as strong leadership and communication skills, and of course a desire to learn!
