5 Great Jobs in Adult Education

5 Top Adult Education Careers

Educational Administrator
Human Resources Training Specialist
Career Counselor
College Professor
Adult Literacy and Remedial Education Teacher

There are a lot of opportunities when it comes to jobs in adult education. These positions involve helping adult students to reach their full potential and to meet their goals. Such goals can include obtaining a high school diploma, learning career skills, gaining basic literacy or brushing up on lost skills, among many other pursuits. These professionals are employed across an array of work settings including colleges and universities, community centers, government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Continue reading to learn more about this field and some of the jobs that exist within it.

1. Educational Administrator

A background in educating adults can truly prepare an individual to work as an educational administrator. This type of position can be served in a number of capacities and typically requires at least a master’s degree. Positions as a university dean, department head, educational nonprofit leader, career center administrator or other type of organization that serves an adult population. Those who understand human development and educational protocol are well-versed to handle the responsibilities of these jobs.

2. Human Resources Training Specialist

Training and educational programs are a regular part of corporate culture. Someone has to develop, implement and evaluate these training programs. A professional with an academic understanding of adult learning is perfect for the role. That’s why another of the great jobs in adult education is human resources training specialist, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

3. Career Counselor

Career counselors help people to determine their aptitudes and interests in order to identify which types of work might be most fulfilling for them. Also included in their job duties is to teach job hunting and to help with resume creation and interview skills. Teaching is integral to this position. As is understanding specifics related to adult learning such as human development theory and identity formation, among others.

4. College Professor

Nontraditional, or adult, students are commonplace at colleges and universities these days. An in-depth background in adult learning style and human development makes someone with a degree in adult education uniquely positioned to guide these students in their academic pursuits. Adult students have very different needs than traditional-aged students. Their life experience, along with their household, family and job demands play a significant role in their higher education experience and the struggles they face.

5. Adult Literacy and Remedial Education Teacher

Many adults require basic literacy understanding or some remedial preparation to obtain the career goals they hold or simply to gain skills they need. Adult literacy and remedial education teachers provide them with the foundation they seek. This can be in the form of GED prep, adult basic education, remedial math skills, life skills coaching or English as a second language. There are a variety of reasons adult students require basic or remedial education. This knowledge can change lives.

Becoming an adult educator is a noble goal. The rewards in these types of careers can be immensely fulfilling, and there area host of opportunities to work with adult learners to improve and enhance their lives. These are just some of the great jobs in adult education that are out there.