Is teaching a good career?
I'm a CareerVillage staff member and I'm posting this because we know that many young people are looking for the answer to this question. This is among the most popular questions searched by youth, and we're hoping you will take a moment to share your response to it. Thank you! #education #teaching #teacher #educator
Things you can consider for this specific question...
What is the career outlook for teachers?
Is being a teacher fulfilling to you?
Can a teacher's pay support oneself and their family?
Are there opportunities for advancement in education?
Is it easy to find a job as a teacher?
4 answers
Karen’s Answer
If you're looking for a job where you will have direct impact on the lives of others, you can consider teaching a great career.
Charles Anderson
Charles’s Answer
Alexandra,
I will answer these questions to the best of my ability as my wife is a teachers aide at the school that I coach for, so we know several teachers, as well. Both my kids are thinking of possibly being teachers at the age of 16 & 13 right now, as well.
Q. What is the career outlook for teachers?
A. I believe the career outlook for teachers remains constant. As we build more and more homes & apartments, schools are also being built and although there is a lot more stay at home online schools popping up; I believe we will still have use for teachers.
Q. Is being a teacher fulfilling to you?
A. I am not a teacher, but my wife loves it! Not just having summer breaks off, along with others - she loves going to school and seeing her "friends" and teaching them something new each day.
Q. Can a teacher's pay support oneself and their family?
A. This is a hard one. Based on where you live (ie: Texas vs. California vs. Montana vs. New York) it can be tough. If you are going to be a teacher, you aren't doing it for the money. The one reason I haven't moved over to teaching, since I coach, is for the financial aspect. I make a lot more money than teachers do, doing my work as an Analyst on the Financial Revenue Assurance side.
Q. Are there opportunities for advancement in education?
A. You can always go from a public school system to a private school, which would pay more. However besides being an Athletic Director, Asst Principal, or Principal - there is no real advancement in Education.
Q. Is it easy to find a job as a teacher?
A. School districts are always looking for teachers. I think it's easier to apply and get a job during the summer, when some teachers move on to another school/district or retire, but can be done. Worse case scenario, is you start of being a substitute teacher for a school district or multiple schools.
Gloria’s Answer
I think that the challenge with your overall question is the definition of the word "good". Good is often personal to the individual from a variety of perspectives.
Monetary - Being a teacher can be a good paying job in a number of ways. You just need to do a little research. First of all, some subjects get paid more than others. Some levels of teaching get paid more, like being a college teacher. If you are considered a good teacher, you can earn more money. Also money depends on where you teach - public schools, private schools, or at companies (like where I work).
Compatible with your skills - If you like to teach, it can be a very rewarding job outside of money. While it can be a lesser paying job than others, teaching can make you feel good. That is no small thing. I know people who make a lot of money but they hate their jobs. Liking what you do can make hard times easier to handle because you love what you do. And no matter what you do, jobs are hard. You may have a difficult student who cannot or will not learn. You may have rude parents, students, or co-workers than add stress to your work day.
Advancement - My brother shifted from teaching to administration in his career. He was a high school government teacher and he has risen up to assist principal who is now looking to be a principal. My brother has enjoyed an increase in salary but really focuses on the increase in his ability to impact his students from a higher level. He fights for his school to get resources and opportunities that he could not have advocated for as just a teacher. At my company, being a teacher is considered management material. People often go through training to other higher level careers at my company.
Gloria
Aaron’s Answer
But, you take the good with the bad. Most teachers who thrive are fully aware of their impact as a mentor of young people - possibly a greater impact on others than any single other profession hence the draw for people looking to do something truly meaningful with their lives. On the opposite side of that coin, teachers do not often receive the respect that they deserve for the truly life-changing work they do each day. That lack of respect unfortunately comes from many sources: teachers don't make as much money as they should, often times operate on limited classroom resources, are made to constantly jump through hoops to meet state or national requirements, manage communication with many parents some of whom don't recognize the depth of support and love their child receives at school and somehow work to fit all of that into the available daylight in a week. Teaching is hard, and a person should carefully consider their motivations behind wanting to teach.
Most of the time, the intrinsic motivation of a true teacher supersedes the opinions /disrespect/obstacles brought about by others, and these pioneers of education need nothing but their own drive to make a difference; so they walk back into that school every single day to do real work that matters. We need teachers because they show us that we can be better. It's a profession for self-sacrificing yet powerful influencers of others. At the end of the day, they fall onto their beds completely exhausted with their mind still thinking about what can be done, but they find the strength to return because of the possibility of what their students could achieve, become or gain.
I spent 7 years as a teacher before choosing a different path and the time that I spent with students is irreplaceable. There are so many happy memories of students overcoming challenges, disabilities and even poor home situations to become better versions of themselves. I have a box of trinkets and cards from all of those students with whom I got to share a piece of my life. But teaching is exhausting and I tip my hat to those brave enough to jump into the trenches each and every day - making a lifetime career out of classroom education. While it was highly fulfilling, I decided on a path that took me out of the classroom and into a role supporting teachers. I now develop curriculum and resources based specifically on needs requested by teachers for the purpose of helping each and every one of their students. I decided for myself that education will always be a part of who I am so I will spend my time doing what I can to give back to those still fighting the good fight.
All in all, I think people realize very quickly whether teaching is for them. The level of pay is difficult to contend with at times, but if the career fills the piece of your soul searching for purpose then you will be able to look past a salary. Teaching jobs will always be needed because we can't automate the profession; the pandemic of 2020 was great proof of that - kids deserve a chance to learn together and under the tutelage of someone besides their parents who is also looking out for their best interest.