In education, building connections with peers, mentors, and industry leaders is essential for career growth and professional development. Networking can open doors to teaching opportunities, innovative classroom strategies, and leadership roles.
Explore organizations related to your field or use resources like What Can I Do With This Major to begin building your professional network.
Find professional organizations and employment resources applicable to different School of Education disciplines under each section. Links are researched by the Career Center, but the Career Center is not responsible for their content or postings.
Featured Resources
The School of Education’s Career Center offers specialized resources to support future educators in building successful careers. Whether you’re preparing for student teaching or securing your first full-time role, the Career Center is here to help you navigate every step of your professional journey. Check out the exclusive resources below to help you explore career pathways in education and prepare for the job search process.
Career Center S.T.E.P. (Student Teacher Employment Preparation)
Have questions about the teaching job search process? Join the new S.T.E.P. Canvas course to access modules on resumes, cover letters, job searching, interviewing, and more.
Exploring Careers in Education
Interested in a career in education? Whether you’re considering becoming a teacher, policy advocate, or researcher, the Careers in Education module is the perfect place to start. Explore eight different pathways and find the resources to plan your next steps.
Getting Prepared
Launching a career in education requires more than just a passion for teaching—it requires strong preparation. A strong resume, tailored cover letter, and interview prep are key to standing out in the education field. Showcasing your skills, experience, and teaching philosophy can help ensure you make a good impression and land the right opportunity.
A resume conveys your story to employers by highlighting your experiences and skills. Employers initially scan a resume for 30 – 60 seconds, so it should be concise and tailored to the specific position. Explore these examples custom made by the Career Center for inspiration!
A cover letter showcases your passion for teaching and how your skills align with the school’s needs. Tailor it to highlight your experience, teaching philosophy, and classroom impact. Keep it concise, engaging, and specific!
A strong interview can set you apart as a teacher. Prepare by reviewing common questions, refining your teaching philosophy, and practicing responses that highlight your classroom management, adaptability, and student engagement strategies. Research the school, align your answers with its mission, and have questions ready to show your enthusiasm. Confidence and preparation go a long way in making a lasting impression!
Gaining Experience
There are thousands of search engines, industry associations, and government resources that can help you explore education as a career path. Get started with a curated list of education opportunities; filtered jobs on Handshake; and quality external resources.
- Featured Education Internships
- Professional Organizations
- Job Search Sites
- Research Sites
- Volunteer Opportunities
Explore internship opportunities in education to gain hands-on experience in teaching, curriculum development, arts education, and educational leadership. These internships provide valuable skills, networking opportunities, and insights into career paths within education. Check out the Career Center’s Featured Internships by clicking the button below.
Professional organizations like the National Education Association (NEA) and the Association of American Educators (AAE) provide access to job boards, conferences, and workshops tailored to educators. These connections help you stay informed about education trends, policies, and best practices. Read more about connecting with professionals on our networking page.
- Association of American Educators (AAE)
- American Association of School Administrators (AASA)
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages
- National Art Education Association
- National Education Association (NEA)
- National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
Using job search sites tailored to education ensures you find positions that match your skills and career goals. These platforms list roles specific to teaching, administration, and arts education, often including opportunities not found on general job boards. They can also provide industry insights, salary data, and employer reviews, helping you make informed career decisions.
K-12
- WECAN is an online posting and hiring system used by more than 500 Wisconsin K-12 schools and districts.
- The University of Northern Iowa Overseas Placement Service for Educators, offers information about teaching abroad as well as an annual recruiting fair for teachers to connect with schools around the world.
- Reach Dane (formerly Dane County Parent Council) provides support for families and child development programs such as Head Start and 4K. Job postings are available for a variety of positions.
- CESAjobs.org is Wisconsin’s largest employer of school specialty positions.
Higher Education
- Higher Ed 360 is a meta-collection of resources gathered for the academic job hunter.
- The Chronicle of Higher Education is a site for administrative and faculty positions.
- Higheredjobs.com showcases a variety of staff and faculty positions in the higher education system.
- The Higher Education Recruitment Consortium offers resources about dual-career searches as well as job postings.
Research sites tailored to education provide access to the latest studies, best practices, and policy updates in teaching and learning. These resources help educators stay informed, improve instructional methods, and advocate for effective education policies, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their field.
- Education Commission of the States is an interstate compact created in 1965 to improve public education by facilitating the exchange of information, ideas, and experiences among state policymakers and education leaders.
- Educational Testing Service is the world’s largest educational testing and measurement organization and a leader in educational research.
- Mathematica Policy Research is a company committed to improving public well-being by assessing the effectiveness of policies and programs.
- Undergraduate Research at UW-Madison, opportunities range from assisting with ongoing research to designing and directing their own projects.
Gaining experience in service through volunteering, service learning courses, or advocacy is a great way to explore your passions and career pathways you may want to pursue.
Morgridge Center for Public Service Badger Volunteers – Tutoring and Mentoring
United Way of Dane County – VolunteerYourTime VolunteerMatch – Madison