Careers by Major - Education

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Education graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Education graduates may go on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

Teaching/Education

  • Elementary School Teacher*
  • High School Teacher*
  • Special Education Teacher *
  • Adult Education Teacher
  • Professor*
  • Foreign Language Instructor*
  • Music Teacher*
  • Physical Education Teacher*
  • ESL Teacher*
  • Education Director
  • Educational Assistant*
  • Guidance/School Counsellor*
  • School Administrator
  • Principal*

Community affairs

  • Social Worker*
  • Religious Vocation/Clergy*
  • Career Counsellor*
  • Program Coordinator
  • Athletic Coach
  • Recreation Director*
  • Activity Director
  • Personal Trainer*
  • Fundraiser*

Business/Communications

  • Day-Care Coordinator
  • Child-Care Director
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Advertising/Marketing Consultant
  • Insurance Agent/Broker*
  • Real Estate Appraiser*
  • Corporate Trainer*
  • Sales Representative*
  • Customer Service Representative*
  • Translator*
  • Computer Trainer*
  • Librarian*
  • Small Business Owner
  • Party Planner

Law

  • Probation Officer*
  • Paralegal*

Publishing

  • Book Editor
  • Grant Coordinator
  • Copywriter*

Health

  • Public Health Educator*

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs education graduates?

  • School Boards
  • Government and Community Org.
  • International Agencies
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Non-Profit Agencies
  • Religious Organizations
  • Private Sector Businesses

Skills developed by education majors

Analytical Thinking

  • Ability to reason logically
  • Linking specific issues to broad concepts
  • Identifying key issues in decision-making or problem solving
  • Weighing alternatives and identifying solutions
  • Formulating questions relevant to clarifying a particular problem, topic, or issue
  • Researching topics and presenting findings to groups

Communication/Interpersonal

  • Working cooperatively with others
  • Understanding group dynamics
  • Adapting to varied conditions
  • Presenting information
  • Writing clearly
  • Negotiating conflict, mediating skills

Instructing

  • Presenting lessons in a comprehensive manner
  • Providing one-to-one help, explaining certain concepts
  • Assessing proficiencies and recommending alternative strategies for learning

Monitoring

  • Supervising students in class to prevent poor behaviour

Organization

  • Organizing information/materials during planning
  • Managing time efficiently

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Assistant Language Teacher, Consulate General of Japan in Toronto
  • Content & Curriculum Editor, Free the Children
  • English Teacher, SEL Academy
  • LINC Coordinator/ECE Supervisor, Riverdale Women’s Immigrant Centre
  • Music Instructor, Toronto Arcadia Academy and Forest Hill Tutoring
  • Admissions Assistant, Elmcrest College
  • Assistant Language Teacher, Davidson Recruiting Services
  • Family Services Worker, Family and Children’s Services
  • Program Manager, Ontario Justice Education Network
  • Human Factors Consultant, HumanSystems Incorporated

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Summer Positions

  • Instructors, Peel Summer Academy
  • Science Instructor, KidScience
  • Summer Camp Counsellor/Teacher, SMART Abacus Education Centre
  • Client Liaison Assistant, Parkdale Community Information Assistant
  • Assistant Teacher, Ontario Literacy and Numeracy Camp
  • Resident Advisor, English School of Canada
  • Administrative Assistant, English School of Canada
  • Activity Instructor, Canadian International Student Services

Part-Time Positions

  • Presenter, Science Education, Ontario Science Centre
  • Cross-Cultural Project Coordinator, Native Men’s Residence
  • Community/Support Worker, Community Helpers for Active Participation
  • Information Assistant, U of T Career Centre
  • UTMOne Peer Academic Leaders, U of T Mississauga Student Affairs
  • Tutor, Canadian Academy of Home Tutors
  • Student Ambassador, U of T Hart House
  • Piano Teacher, 88 Keys

Work-Study Program

The Work-Study program provides eligible U of T students with an opportunity to work on campus during the academic year and gain academic/career related experience. Previous postings have included:

  • Student Ambassador, On-Campus Events, Office of the Registrar (UTM)
  • I.S.R.C. Coordinator, Student Affairs (UTM)
  • Career Assistant, UTM Career Centre
  • Family Resource Centre Assistant, U of T Family Resource Centre
  • Services Assistant, SAC UTM
  • Assistant to Learning Disabled Students, U of T Accessibility Services

Positions are posted online every September. Click here for more info.

Volunteer Positions

  • Tutor, Working Women Community Centre
  • In School Mentor, Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Volunteer Leaders, Canadian Blood Services
  • Recruitment Volunteer, Heart & Stroke Foundation
  • Community Catalyst, War Child Canada

Extern Job Shadowing Program - previous placements:

  • Art Teacher, Jarvis Collegiate Institute
  • Shop Teacher, Central Technical Secondary School
  • Montessori Elementary Teacher, High Park Centennial Montessori School

Academic programs at U of T Mississauga

In addition to the Education program here at U of T Mississauga, there are a number of other programs that might be of interest to you.

Exceptionality in Human Learning
This program, offered by the Psychology Department, is designed to provide a broad foundation for students who may have a vocational, academic, and/or civic interest in issues concerning children and adults who are gifted or who have disabilities. The Faculty of Education at the University of Toronto recommends this program for prospective applicants.

Languages
Interested in languages? Then consider the Majors in French or Italian Language Teaching and Learning, as well as the Specialist in Language Teaching and Learning which combines both Italian and French. While these programs certainly are excellent preparation for studies at a Faculty of Education, they are not limited to this – many career areas involve a component of education!

Graduate & Professional Schools Fair

The Graduate & Professional Schools Fair provides you with an opportunity to speak to representatives from over 20 education programs in Canada, the U.S. and Australia, including the faculties of education at U of T/OISE, York University, University of Ottawa and University of Western Ontario and others.

Also, make sure you sign up for the UT/OISE Initial Teacher Education Info Session taking place on-campus in late-September/early-October. Keep checking our Events Calendar for details!

Professional Associations

Each industry has affiliated associations. There are many benefits of becoming a member of an association, such as stating your affiliation on your resume. In addition to your experiences and the completion of your university degree, a student membership in an association is one way to get an edge in the job market. It also furthers your knowledge of a particular field. Listed below are associations primarily related to teaching; if you are interested in other occupations, please check the Resources and Links section of the Find Employment tab on our website.

Resources

Career Centre Resource Library

  • Career Cruising, a Canadian Electronic Career Guide
  • 101 Careers Alternatives for Teachers
  • What You Can Do With an Arts Degree
  • Great Jobs for… Series
  • Careers for… Series
  • Career Information Binders

Web Links

  • Canadian Society for the Study of Education (CSSE)
  • Teacher Education Application Service
  • Canadian Teachers.Net
  • Education Canada

Library Panel Packages

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).