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What jobs work with young children besides teaching in a school?
Though I would like to work with young kids the more I go to organizations and other non-profits most are about teaching in school. Though I feel it wouldn't be a bad job as I have had hands on experience with teaching kids at 1st grade and below. I would also like to have other options to experience and look into.
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Jeff Baril
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Jeff’s Answer
A rewarding option to consider is becoming a special education diagnostician or a licensed specialist in school psychology. These roles go beyond traditional classroom teaching and focus on understanding and supporting children with unique needs.
My wife’s journey is a perfect example of how fulfilling this path can be. She started as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, working closely with elementary children, including those with emotional disabilities—often the hardest to reach. One of her earliest students was a 2nd-grader with undiagnosed dyslexia. He had no academic skills and was highly volatile. Through her one-on-one support and dedication, she helped him begin reading essential words in just a few weeks. This experience changed her life and inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in special education, pivoting from a career in project management. Eventually, she earned her certification as a diagnostician.
The impact of her work is evident. We regularly receive updates from students she worked with years ago. One has become an accomplished welder and is highly sought after. Another is following in her footsteps in the field of education. These children, often overlooked, possess untapped potential, and they can achieve incredible things with the proper guidance.
Working with young children in these roles requires patience, empathy, and a deep commitment to their success, but the rewards are profound. You could be the person who sees a child’s potential and helps them unlock it, changing their life forever.
Here are a few other options:
Child Life Specialist: Work in hospitals, helping children and families cope with medical experiences.
Early Intervention Specialist: Provide services to children under three with developmental delays or disabilities.
Behavioral Therapist: Work with children with autism or other behavioral challenges using therapies like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis).
Social Worker: Focus on child welfare and family services.
Youth Program Coordinator: Design and lead enrichment programs for kids in community or nonprofit settings.
Become a para-professional or substitute teacher supporting special needs students.
Reach out to special education diagnosticians, child psychologists, or child life specialists to shadow them for a day and learn about their work.
Research certifications like Child Development Associate (CDA) or Registered Behavior Technician (RBT), which can lead to roles such as early intervention specialist or ABA therapist.
My wife’s journey is a perfect example of how fulfilling this path can be. She started as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional, working closely with elementary children, including those with emotional disabilities—often the hardest to reach. One of her earliest students was a 2nd-grader with undiagnosed dyslexia. He had no academic skills and was highly volatile. Through her one-on-one support and dedication, she helped him begin reading essential words in just a few weeks. This experience changed her life and inspired her to pursue a master’s degree in special education, pivoting from a career in project management. Eventually, she earned her certification as a diagnostician.
The impact of her work is evident. We regularly receive updates from students she worked with years ago. One has become an accomplished welder and is highly sought after. Another is following in her footsteps in the field of education. These children, often overlooked, possess untapped potential, and they can achieve incredible things with the proper guidance.
Working with young children in these roles requires patience, empathy, and a deep commitment to their success, but the rewards are profound. You could be the person who sees a child’s potential and helps them unlock it, changing their life forever.
Here are a few other options:
Child Life Specialist: Work in hospitals, helping children and families cope with medical experiences.
Early Intervention Specialist: Provide services to children under three with developmental delays or disabilities.
Behavioral Therapist: Work with children with autism or other behavioral challenges using therapies like ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis).
Social Worker: Focus on child welfare and family services.
Youth Program Coordinator: Design and lead enrichment programs for kids in community or nonprofit settings.
Jeff recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Kathy -
There is some fantastic information on this website about jobs working with children:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/high-paying-jobs-that-work-with-kids
The link also includes an average salary, so that can help you when making a decision about what career you might like to pursue.
There is some fantastic information on this website about jobs working with children:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/high-paying-jobs-that-work-with-kids
The link also includes an average salary, so that can help you when making a decision about what career you might like to pursue.
Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
Hi Kathy! That's a great question, there are so many different career paths you can take that would involve working directly with kids outside of teaching. Here are a few off the top of my head:
Social Worker,
Librarian,
Pediatrician,
School psychologist,
Program Director for youth programs,
School advisor
However, there are many careers in which you could make an impact on kids like being a children's author or working in educational policy. The possibilities are endless, you just have to figure out what you're passionate about and go from there.
Social Worker,
Librarian,
Pediatrician,
School psychologist,
Program Director for youth programs,
School advisor
However, there are many careers in which you could make an impact on kids like being a children's author or working in educational policy. The possibilities are endless, you just have to figure out what you're passionate about and go from there.
Updated
Jim’s Answer
Hello Kathy,
You can be a school counselor. You can help children with issues or find the classes that they are interested in.
Good luck!
You can be a school counselor. You can help children with issues or find the classes that they are interested in.
Good luck!
Updated
Shaneil’s Answer
Hello Kathy!
Isn't it wonderful to have choices? There are numerous career paths that involve working with children, aside from teaching. Here are a few you might consider:
* Librarian
* Childcare provider
* School guidance counselor
* Child psychologist
* Pediatric doctor
These are just a few directions you might consider. Some may be a smooth shift from your current role, while others might need a bit more studying. But remember, every step you take towards your passion is a step towards success. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Warm regards,
Shaneil
Isn't it wonderful to have choices? There are numerous career paths that involve working with children, aside from teaching. Here are a few you might consider:
* Librarian
* Childcare provider
* School guidance counselor
* Child psychologist
* Pediatric doctor
These are just a few directions you might consider. Some may be a smooth shift from your current role, while others might need a bit more studying. But remember, every step you take towards your passion is a step towards success. Wishing you all the best on your journey!
Warm regards,
Shaneil
Updated
Maia’s Answer
Hello Kathy!
Should you find joy in the realms of history, science, or art, particularly within the captivating world of museums, there are numerous opportunities awaiting you. Many museums are on the lookout for education coordinators who are passionate about imparting knowledge to children about the fascinating content that museums hold.
Should you find joy in the realms of history, science, or art, particularly within the captivating world of museums, there are numerous opportunities awaiting you. Many museums are on the lookout for education coordinators who are passionate about imparting knowledge to children about the fascinating content that museums hold.
Updated
Tammy’s Answer
Hi Kathy
There are lots of career options for working in schools. I’m not sure if you are currently in college or still in high school but it might be a good idea to try to shadow someone currently working in an elementary school setting for the day and explore all the opportunities. If you are still in High school, talk with your school counselor about career options and see if they can set up a shadow day experience for you. If you are in college, consider visiting your career center on campus to talk about career options. What are you interested in specifically? You've identified that you don’t want to be a teacher, which is a great first step but now you need to think in terms of what you do like doing with young people. Do you want to work in student support services- which may be a school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker or special education. Do you want to manage people which might look like going into administration- school principal or school board directors, etc. do you just want to be around young people and work in a school- school cafeteria worker, office staff (these are usually civil service jobs), teaching assistant or classroom support aide. There are also people who support students and come in for services like speech and hearing, occupational therapy, physical therapy or community organizations that do social emotional learning or provide community based support. You might coach or work in an after school program… there are so many options! Do some research online, talk with a career coach or call the school education at a local college to see what career programs are available. Perhaps start out as a school volunteer to get a sense of where you fit. And lastly, school bus drivers are in high demand and are a great way to get your foot in the door.
There are lots of career options for working in schools. I’m not sure if you are currently in college or still in high school but it might be a good idea to try to shadow someone currently working in an elementary school setting for the day and explore all the opportunities. If you are still in High school, talk with your school counselor about career options and see if they can set up a shadow day experience for you. If you are in college, consider visiting your career center on campus to talk about career options. What are you interested in specifically? You've identified that you don’t want to be a teacher, which is a great first step but now you need to think in terms of what you do like doing with young people. Do you want to work in student support services- which may be a school counselor, school psychologist, school social worker or special education. Do you want to manage people which might look like going into administration- school principal or school board directors, etc. do you just want to be around young people and work in a school- school cafeteria worker, office staff (these are usually civil service jobs), teaching assistant or classroom support aide. There are also people who support students and come in for services like speech and hearing, occupational therapy, physical therapy or community organizations that do social emotional learning or provide community based support. You might coach or work in an after school program… there are so many options! Do some research online, talk with a career coach or call the school education at a local college to see what career programs are available. Perhaps start out as a school volunteer to get a sense of where you fit. And lastly, school bus drivers are in high demand and are a great way to get your foot in the door.
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Hello Kathy!
Are you fond of activities such as writing, painting, or crafting, alongside your love for teaching little ones? You might want to consider exploring avenues like authoring children's books, designing online courses with drawings, or creating craft activities for children. Just a few suggestions to ponder over!
Are you fond of activities such as writing, painting, or crafting, alongside your love for teaching little ones? You might want to consider exploring avenues like authoring children's books, designing online courses with drawings, or creating craft activities for children. Just a few suggestions to ponder over!
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hello Kathy! There's always the opportunity for you to contribute your skills at a youth community center or at science museums specifically designed for children!