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The Education sector includes a wide range of roles for graduates from all degree disciplines, using teaching and communication skills to work with young people or adult learners outside of a classroom setting. There are also a wide range of administrative and support roles, in all education sectors including Higher Education. If you are interested in teaching, please see the Education - teaching sector pages.
Working in the education sector offers a range of different roles, including classroom teaching, administration in schools, further and higher education, and a wide range of opportunities (eg outreach, learning officer) working with children and young people.
Research the sector and keep up with current issues by reading:
The skills needed will depend on the individual job role; specialist posts may require specific subject knowledge and training.
Outreach and learning officer roles are likely to require specific sector knowledge (eg heritage, environment, theatre) as well as the skills needed to plan a programme and engage an audience. Careers in educational psychology require specific accredited degrees and training.
Other careers in the education sector may require high level administrative and organisational skills; university roles include student recruitment, marketing, student support, HR, library and information services, events and facilities management, legal work and business development, so be prepared to research these individual functions and requirements to see whether this is right for you.
Valuable skills and qualities for this sector include:
See What can I do at York? for suggestions about developing your skills.
Ideally work experience will give you some practical experience in the job you are interested in, give you a greater insight into work in the sector, and build on your skills and knowledge. If you don't manage to get work experience in your chosen area of work, any work experience will give you the opportunity to develop the transferable skills that are important to employers. Consider volunteering too, as a great way to get experience and to demonstrate your commitment and values.
See Finding Jobs for jobs websites, and What can I do at York? for ways to get experience while you are at university.
Recruitment into this sector takes place year-round, as needs arise, although you may find more jobs advertised to start at the beginning of an academic year.
The following sites may be useful in looking for vacancies:
You are most likely to have to apply for a job electronically, by completing an online application form; a CV is not generally required, but you will need to complete a supporting statement, matching your skills and experience to the job requirements. Find out more about the recruitment process in the Apply for jobs section of our website. Any jobs working with children and young people are likely to require a DBS criminal records check.
Find the full list of graduate profiles on York Profiles & Mentors.
You can also find and connect with York alumni working in this sector on LinkedIn.