5 Great Jobs in Distance Education

5 Top Distance Education Careers

Recruitment Specialist
Professor, Teacher
Information Technology Specialist
Distance Learning Counselor, Success Coach
Instructional Designer

A growing variety of great jobs in distance education awaits those interested in helping to educate the generations of today and tomorrow. Distance education is the use of technology in the provision and receipt of an education at distance. In other words, it is all about learning and taking classes via the internet. For a brief sample of the many jobs being created as a result of this rapidly growing industry, read on. Here are five great jobs in distance education today.

1. Recruitment Specialist

Recruiting is the first step to college enrollment and an important one at that. It is here that a recruitment specialist will work with prospective students, representing the school as best as possible while presenting the prospect with fact-based information on that school. In distance learning, this part of the process will take place largely by video conferences and telephone calls. The ability to thus master communication in these areas is as important as having good energy and managing time well.

2. Professor, Teacher

Professors are the central performers in the midst of all college professionals. In distance learning, this is no different. There is one difference, however, in that with distance learning, all of the professing takes place over the internet as opposed to in-person.

Professors functioning in a distance learning format are able to touch and teach people from all over the world. They also can be found teaching any number of subjects. In addition, this career choice is one of continued growth and opportunity, as the general distance learning industry continues to explode.

3. Information Technology Specialist

Information technology is growing incredibly quickly today and is becoming an integral part of everything. The world of distance learning, in fact, is totally reliant on proficiency and function on the IT side of things.

IT specialists work to improve IT systems and how they work. They also setup new systems and maintain current ones for their employing organization. Troubleshooting and tech support also fall under their responsibility range in many cases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the IT field will grow much faster than average job growth rates through the coming years.

4. Distance Learning Counselor, Success Coach

It’s not uncommon that some students taking part in a distance learning program may, at some point, come up against struggles with getting through their schooling. These may involve issues at home, health situations, school-related concerns, and more. It is then the job of the distance learning counselor, also referred to as a success coach, to work with the student to find constructive ways around these obstacles. Even when students are doing well and need no assistance otherwise, success coaches may interact and simply spread encouragement and resource tips. Many owe thanks to a success coach out there who helped get them through to the finish line.

5. Instructional Designer

The final spot in our list of great jobs in distance learning goes to the instructional designer. While many professors do, in fact, design much of their own teaching materials and methods for teaching, instructional designers do the same thing, but full-time and as a singular profession. In some cases, professors may call on the services of these professionals individually, while at other times, entire school bodies will choose to follow their instructional designs and guidance. As the distance learning field grows, this role is also seeing great growth.

The expanding sector of distance learning has much to offer in the way of careers today. While more and more people find time to obtain their degrees online, the careers associated with distance education will continue to grow.