Teach Outside the Classroom

by Peter Vogt

MonsterTRAK Career Coach

You admired a past teacher, enjoy instructing other people and want to share your idealism -- all good reasons to major in education. But then the unthinkable happens: You discover through experiences such as student teaching or by talking with peers and mentors that a K-12 classroom is not for you.

Some might junk the dream of teaching altogether and seek out a brand-new career. But that could be a big mistake. If you truly enjoy teaching, there are dozens of other careers that would allow you to teach every day -- you just might not be called a teacher.

Here are brief descriptions of some rewarding careers that all have teaching at their core. Look them over; you might learn something.

College Student Affairs Professional

Take a look around your campus. See all those people who are not faculty members: your residence hall director, the dean of students, the career counselor at the career center or the student activities coordinator? They are student affairs professionals, and much of what they do is teach.

Computer Trainer

If you like tech stuff and can teach people how to master computer software and hardware, this is a natural. You can work on your own, with local colleges and universities or as an employee of companies like New Horizons Computer Learning Centers.

Consultant

Management consultants teach organizations how to achieve their goals. Image consultants teach people how to improve and refine their appearance and self-presentation. Professional organizing consultants teach others how to get their offices and homes in order and help keep chaos at bay.

Continuing/Community Education Instructor

Teach short courses for highly motivated adults who seek in-depth knowledge in specific areas such as: writing for publication, developing a beautiful garden or learning the basics of genealogy.

Corporate Trainer

Many organizations employ staff trainers to teach employees what they need to know to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.

Counselor/Therapist/Social Worker

Teach people how to identify and cope with personal concerns of all kinds, from substance abuse and career issues to parenting difficulties and relationship troubles.

Financial Planner

Can you guide someone through the maze of opportunities and pitfalls in the world of personal finance and investing?

Nonprofit Outreach Professional

If you believe in a cause, there's almost certainly a nonprofit group dedicated to it. Why not work for that organization as someone who teaches other people about the cause and why they should care?

Personal Trainer or Dietician

Help people get healthier by teaching them how to develop -- and stick with -- sound exercise and eating habits.

Private Instructor

Tutor youth or adults privately in their homes or on behalf of a nonprofit agency. Teach small, intensive courses at private-sector learning companies like Sylvan Learning Center or Huntington Learning Center.

Reference/Research Librarian

Does the hunt for facts give you a thrill? Do you enjoy putting information to use? Teach others those same skills, and share your love for finding the answer.

Sales Professional

How does a salesperson teach? What if you viewed selling as teaching someone about a product, service or cause you know well and believe in?

Tour Guide

You could teach visitors about the items on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, or lead people on a guided tour of the lighthouses of Lake Superior, to name just two options.

Writer

Where does it say you have to teach people face to face? You could teach people through the written word. Examples include writing or editing textbooks, crafting articles for industry or consumer magazines, preparing how-to documentation for products and services, or writing the quarterly newsletter for that nonprofit organization you support.

Zoo/Aquarium Educator

Teach young and old alike about the hunting activities of owls or the mating habits of bottlenose dolphins.

You don't have to have “teacher” in your title to enjoy a great career using your education degree. But you do have to go out and learn about the many other possibilities beyond the K-12 classroom. You can start with 101 Career Alternatives for Teachers: Exciting Job Opportunities for Teachers Outside the Teaching Profession by Margaret M. Gisler.

© 2008 MonsterTRAK