3 answers
emily
Student
1
Question
Updated
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What things should I get involved with to help me make sure I chose the right major in college? I chose education but am going to be starting with a dual major of elementary education adn secondary education science because I want to teach and love science but am not sure what grade level.
I love science especially environmental science and animals. I want to teach like both my parents. I am not sure what grade level though. I like little kids but also have enjoyed my high school years. I want to be able to share with kids the things that I learned having to do with the subjects mentioned so they can love it too.
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3 answers
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
725
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Emily, it's important that you're confident and clear about your college major choice, especially if you're considering education with a focus on elementary and secondary science education. There are several ways you can gain this confidence and clarity.
Firstly, think about getting involved in volunteer work or internships that let you work with kids of different ages, from elementary to high school. This direct experience will give you a real sense of what it's like to teach different age groups, helping you figure out which level fits best with your teaching style and what you prefer.
Also, try to find chances to help out or observe teachers in both elementary and secondary classrooms. This will let you see the challenges and rewards of teaching at each level for yourself. Join in with activities or clubs outside of class that are related to education, science, environmental protection, or animal welfare. This will help you explore your interests and passions further.
Moreover, think about taking optional classes or workshops in subjects like education psychology, child development, and curriculum design. This will deepen your knowledge of educational theory and practice.
Lastly, keep reflecting on your experiences and stay open-minded as you go through college. Allow yourself to be flexible and adjust your goals and dreams as you get more exposure to different educational settings and opportunities. By actively exploring these paths, you'll be better prepared to make informed decisions about your major and future career in education, making sure it matches up with your interests, strengths, and dreams.
Firstly, think about getting involved in volunteer work or internships that let you work with kids of different ages, from elementary to high school. This direct experience will give you a real sense of what it's like to teach different age groups, helping you figure out which level fits best with your teaching style and what you prefer.
Also, try to find chances to help out or observe teachers in both elementary and secondary classrooms. This will let you see the challenges and rewards of teaching at each level for yourself. Join in with activities or clubs outside of class that are related to education, science, environmental protection, or animal welfare. This will help you explore your interests and passions further.
Moreover, think about taking optional classes or workshops in subjects like education psychology, child development, and curriculum design. This will deepen your knowledge of educational theory and practice.
Lastly, keep reflecting on your experiences and stay open-minded as you go through college. Allow yourself to be flexible and adjust your goals and dreams as you get more exposure to different educational settings and opportunities. By actively exploring these paths, you'll be better prepared to make informed decisions about your major and future career in education, making sure it matches up with your interests, strengths, and dreams.
Lauren Hopkins
Consulting
4
Answers
Clearfield, Pennsylvania
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
Hi Emily!
I would encourage you to get experience with children from each of those age ranges. Volunteer and get experience working with them. Most education programs now have students observe classrooms early on in their degree program. Take advantage of that opportunity and see if you can observe classrooms at multiple grade levels. Getting those experiences will help you figure out what you like best. Majoring in both will also give you options in the future. If you end up taking a job in elementary education and find out after a year or two that it really isn't for you, you still have the ability to find something in secondary education.
All the best,
Lauren
I would encourage you to get experience with children from each of those age ranges. Volunteer and get experience working with them. Most education programs now have students observe classrooms early on in their degree program. Take advantage of that opportunity and see if you can observe classrooms at multiple grade levels. Getting those experiences will help you figure out what you like best. Majoring in both will also give you options in the future. If you end up taking a job in elementary education and find out after a year or two that it really isn't for you, you still have the ability to find something in secondary education.
All the best,
Lauren
Marzia Sultan
Tech Writer/Editor
10
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Marzia’s Answer
Emily!
What’s amaizng here is that you already have an idea with your interests and knowing why and what you want to do. The assurance is a great tool to drive what next steps you could or should take. That’s wonderful and I am so happy for you!
I would suggest trying out shadowing a teacher or educator for a day or two and do this in rotation! Maybe you can even ask your parents to visit work to see what they do and hownthey interact with others at their job.
I also suggest internships where you can work with kids. Connecting with adults in the fields of your interests could help you build your resume, experience and knowledge. For knowing what age range or education level would be best fit for you, I suggest finding opportunities to work with kids of different age ranges to see where your stengths and weaknesses and also comfortability level is to see what level you may want to persue as a career goal. In any field, to build these paths the best advice I can give is 1) Learn to trust your instincts through your experiences 2) Stay surrounded by people who are doing what you see yourself doing and figure out what choices work for you! 3) Stay open to possibility. In young adult college careers the first year is about exploring what works for you , I suggest look into your interests through research to solidify the subjects you mentions and then look into a college degree program that will forcus your studies in that field . This way you also don’t get pulled in too many different directions as well and still get to discover what works for you.
Best,
Marzia Sultan
What’s amaizng here is that you already have an idea with your interests and knowing why and what you want to do. The assurance is a great tool to drive what next steps you could or should take. That’s wonderful and I am so happy for you!
I would suggest trying out shadowing a teacher or educator for a day or two and do this in rotation! Maybe you can even ask your parents to visit work to see what they do and hownthey interact with others at their job.
I also suggest internships where you can work with kids. Connecting with adults in the fields of your interests could help you build your resume, experience and knowledge. For knowing what age range or education level would be best fit for you, I suggest finding opportunities to work with kids of different age ranges to see where your stengths and weaknesses and also comfortability level is to see what level you may want to persue as a career goal. In any field, to build these paths the best advice I can give is 1) Learn to trust your instincts through your experiences 2) Stay surrounded by people who are doing what you see yourself doing and figure out what choices work for you! 3) Stay open to possibility. In young adult college careers the first year is about exploring what works for you , I suggest look into your interests through research to solidify the subjects you mentions and then look into a college degree program that will forcus your studies in that field . This way you also don’t get pulled in too many different directions as well and still get to discover what works for you.
Best,
Marzia Sultan