Careers

Education graduates enter a wide range of careers following their programmes of study at York. These include teaching, publishing, charity work, construction of learning environments, design of learning resources and more. A significant proportion of our graduates also go on to teacher training at primary and secondary levels and their first degree in Education at York enables them to continue their academic study at prestigious institutions in the UK. Around 20% of our current finalists have been accepted onto teacher training programmes at Cambridge and a further 10-15% have been accepted onto PGCE programmes at high-ranking institutions such as Leeds and Warwick. A number of students have also secured alternative pathways into teaching and education, including Teach First.

We run a dynamic, embedded series of careers and employability workshops that expose our students to a wide range of career options, experiences and opportunities from Stage 1 of their degree courses through to the final year. The vast majority of our students have done a range of volunteering projects, placements and relevant work experience by the time they graduate, making them distinctive and attractive to employers.

York undergraduates are taught that in today’s tough job market employability is key,

An article from the Press on Wednesday, 15 February, following a careers workshop on Monday, 13 February, when the Education reporter, Haydn Lewis (York graduate) came to speak to education students. 
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/education/education/9532323.Keeping_an_eye_on_the_future/

Graduate profiles

Sarah-Louise Levy, Educational Studies, 2010
PGCE Primary, University of Cambridge.

Following my degree in Educational Studies I am now studying for my PGCE at the University of Cambridge.  With my background knowledge in education, I am able to look at my teaching practice with a critical eye, and ensure that my lessons are benefitting the children to the maximum possible extent.  My Educational Studies degree has given me the background theory of teaching and learning, and the confidence to be the best teacher that I can be.

Sophie Thacker, Educational Studies, 2009
Partnership manager, Project management and construction, Lend Lease Construction.

I have been working for development and construction company, Lend Lease since graduating in July 2009. I work primarily on the refurbishment and rebuild of secondary schools in Birmingham, Lancashire and London, ensuring that students’ education is not hindered whilst their school is under construction. I also help schools with CV workshops, career advice, student engagement and ensuring that the architects create transformational and inspirational environments for the students to learn in. I use the skills I gained from my degree on a daily basis, to provide the company and designers with an educationalist’s point of view on the organization and content of schooling.

Elisabeth Tuck, Educational Studies, 2010
Crew leader, Mad Adventurer.

Whilst studying Educational Studies at York I discovered a passion for matters of education relating to International Development.  This lead me to study a Masters in Education and International Development at Newcastle University, which I have now successfully completed.  Fresh from the course and keen to put what I had learned into practice I headed straight to Kenya to undertake a Community Development internship.  In Kenya I worked in a school, an orphanage and an adult education centre, witnessing first-hand the difference that education can make to the lives of real people living in poverty.  After a brief pit-stop back in the UK I am now preparing to return to Africa, where I will be employed as a Crew Leader on volunteer projects in Ghana.  This position will allow me to contribute more intensely development projects, as well as sharing the experiences that have made a difference in my life with the volunteers that I will be taking care of, during their time in the field.