Education
Overview
Education is both inside and outside the classroom setting. It’s a dynamic profession that shapes individuals, organizations, and communities. Professionals in this field work across diverse settings, including schools, universities, nonprofits, corporations, government agencies, and community organizations, driving learning, equity, and innovation.
If you choose education as a career path, you’re committing to empowering people and systems to grow. This can mean teaching in traditional or alternative environments, but it also includes roles in leadership, human resources, organizational change, policy development, training and development, and program management. These careers influence how people learn, work, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Career opportunities span multiple sectors:
- K–12 and Higher Education: Teachers, counselors, administrators, and student affairs professionals.
- Corporate and Organizational Learning: HR specialists, instructional designers, training and development managers.
- Global and Online Education: Curriculum developers, e-learning specialists, international education consultants.
Regardless of setting, education professionals share a common mission: to foster growth, inclusion, and success for individuals and organizations. Careers in this field require strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, as well as adaptability to meet evolving needs.
K-12 Teaching (Early Childhood, Special Education, and Secondary Teaching)
Resumes
A strong education resume highlights both credentials and hands-on experience. Key components include relevant certifications, student teaching or practicum placements, education and childcare experience, professional involvement, community engagement, and skills that directly support effective teaching. Employers look for evidence of classroom readiness, instructional strategies, technology use, and a clear commitment to students, schools, and the broader education community.
Perhaps the most important tip for making your documents stand out is to use industry keywords. Review the position description, highlight key words or phrases, and reflect that same terminology in your resume or cover letter. This shows you have done your research and are familiar with the culture of the industry.
Certifications
- Child Abuse and Neglect Certification
- First Aid and CPR with the name of the accrediting agency
- Any additional certifications you may have earned that relate directly to education
Student teaching, internship and practicum experience
- Student teaching and practicum experiences should be in a prime spot on your resume. These are the first experiences principals and human resources representatives are looking for
- Identify the institution, city, and state of your placement
- Make sure you include bullet points (2-4) that identify the SKILLS you used effectively in the classroom. Be specific. Include education-specific terminology. Name the methodology (ex: Singapore Math, Scaffolding) and/or assessment techniques (ex: PALS Testing)
- Be sure you highlight how you included technology in your instruction
Educational and/or childcare experience
- Be sure to include any paid or volunteer experiences you’ve had that relate to education and/or working with students including; substitute teaching, tutoring, mentoring, camp counselor, and babysitting/nannying
- If you have additional work experiences outside of the field of education you may include them
- Be sure you focus your bullet point(s) on skills relevant to those you will need to be an effective educator
Professional memberships
- Include any student and professional organization of which you are a member
- Highlight any leadership positions you’ve held
- If you have not yet joined and professional organization, please consider doing so. It is important to the field that you are an active member of a professional organization
Community engagement
- K-12 administrators and recruiters like to see that you are involved in the community. If you are actively involved in the community in ways that cannot be listed under Educational and/or Childcare Experiences include them in a separate section
Cover letters
Cover letters are a critical part of an education application because they showcase both your commitment to teaching and your ability to communicate effectively. A strong cover letter demonstrates enthusiasm for education, connects your values to the institution’s mission, and clearly explains why you are a strong fit for the role. Written in a professional, business format and limited to one page, the cover letter should highlight your impact on students and your readiness to contribute to the school community.
Purpose of the cover letter:
- Demonstrate your desire to be a, educator
- Highlight your ability to communicate.
Additional Support
- Refer to our Cover Letter Guide (for part-time and full-time roles) for more detailed guidance
- Have your cover letter reviewed before submitting. Schedule a career advising appointment or visit during drop-in hours for personalized feedback
Interviewing
An interview is simply a conversation between the candidate and a hiring manager. An interview provides you the opportunity to highlight your skills, express your personality and demonstrate your knowledge about the school.
For those interviewing for teaching positions with the K-12 public school system, you will likely be required to complete a screening interview with the county or school division human resources office prior to interviewing for an actual position for a particular school. If you are a right fit for that school division, the human resources representative will refer you to the principal for a school-based interview.
If you’ve never interviewed before, explore our interviewing tips to learn the basics of a successful interview.
Practice
You’ll feel more comfortable during your interview with a little practice first. Big Interview is a web-based video platform that allows you to respond to a series of pre-recorded interview questions from your computer. Afterward, you will be able to review your recording to see how you did.
Got an interview coming up? Practice with one of our career advisors. Schedule a one-hour mock interview - we will help you prepare to answer interview questions and offer tips to help you make an excellent impression.
VCU’s five-year program allows students to earn both bachelor and master degrees. As a part of the program, prospective teachers are usually required to complete observation and student teaching hours. Student teachers usually begin by observing the class and then take on greater amounts of teaching, grading and lesson planning activities during the student teaching semester. In the public school system, teachers must also pass a state certification exam in order to teach, and participate in continuing education to maintain licensure.
Are you graduating with a degree outside of education?
If you’re interested in becoming a teacher, review Pathway to a Virginia Provisional Teaching License: A Guide for VCU Graduates to learn how to get started.
VCU School of Education offers various resources for students interested in pursuing teaching, including courses for provisional licensed teachers. You can read more about provisional licensure, here.
LinkedIn Learning
While degree and licensure provide the foundational requirements to become an educator, most successful teachers have realized the need to develop additional skills areas such as time management, public speaking, conflict resolution and integrating technology into their lessons.
Teachers who possess practical skills have a much easier time positioning themselves as highly sought after candidates. VCU has a partnership with LinkedIn Learning, to provide free skills training. Consider taking some of these recommended courses as a part of your training.
- Google Classroom 2016
- PowerPoint Essential Training
- Captivate projects: Building eLearning games
- WordPress in the Classroom
- Public Speaking
- Write effective learning objectives
- Communication in the 21st-century classroom
- Classroom Management Fundamentals
- Having Difficult Conversations
Common career paths
- Elementary School Teacher
- Secondary Education Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- English as a Second Language Teacher
- Teacher Aide
- Guidance Counselor
- Media Specialist
Use these and our other job search tools to explore opportunities:
K-12 resources
- Handshake
- Teach Virginia
- Virginia Department of Education
- Maryland Department of Education
- D.C. Public Schools
- North Carolina Department of Education
- Southern Teachers Agency
Internships
Practicum and internship are graduation requirements for all students in teaching and counselor education programs. The School of Education (SOE) Office of Licensure and Clinical Experiences will place all teaching and K-12 school counseling practicum and internship candidates based on the information on their applications. Candidates in the Counselor Education Programs, with the exception of school counselors, are expected to find sites where they would like to interview and must get approval from the Clinical Coordinator prior to contacting the sites.
For additional information, there are several different applications for externship/internship for the SOE. Applications and general information are available on the forms site.
Before admission into student teaching, internships, and externships, students are required to complete Praxis II in the content area, complete the VCLA (Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment), and provide TB results (must be negative). Undergraduate students in Early Childhood, Elementary Education, or Special Education will be required to complete the RVE (Reading for VA Educators) while enrolled in their internship. Please refer to the School of Education’s Student Services Center for additional information.
Student teaching applications for Fall semester are due by February 1. Student teaching applications for Spring semester are due by September 1.
Counselor education applications for Fall semester are due by February 1. Counseling education applications for Spring semester are due by September 1.
VCU School of Education students need to work with their advisor to navigate these dates. Schedule an advising appointment through Navigate, and email soeadvising@vcu.edu for questions and assistance.
A portfolio is a compilation of select materials that highlight your professional competencies. It not only documents your knowledge as it pertains to pedagogy, but also provides a visual representation of your style and ability to engage with students.
The process of selecting what materials to include in a portfolio requires aspiring teachers to assess their performance in the classroom as well as the subject matter they have covered. A portfolio is not a scrapbook of every lesson plan, unit, or activity an educator has ever engaged in; it is a small sample of work that best represents your teaching skills, subject knowledge, creative presentation, and resourcefulness.
Printed vs. electronic
Portfolios can be in electronic or paper form. Both formats have benefits. A print portfolio can be very useful during an in-person interview because it provides visual examples of your work and creativity to a prospective employer. Electronic portfolios can allow your interviewer to preview the portfolio prior to an interview allowing them a chance to prepare and personalize their interview questions, as well as to review the portfolio after an interview to help them remember who you were among the group of candidates.
Most people create a digital portfolio because it’s easier to share. If web development isn’t your strong suit, try one of these websites as a coding-free alternative to digital portfolio creation.
What to include in your portfolio
- Homepage with a brief professional biography and photo of you.
- A menu or navigation bar linking visitors to the following attachments:
- Teaching resume
- Teaching philosophy
- Degrees/Certificates/Awards/continuing professional development
- A sample (annotated) lesson plan
- Classroom Management information
- Contact page – a way for visitors to contact you
- Optional enhancements to your portfolio
- Links your professional web presence including the school website (at which your working)
- Professional social media accounts
- Technology in the classroom
- Parent Resources/Communication
- Photos of bulletin boards/hallway displays
- Extracurricular Activities (clubs, field trips, etc.)
- Your blog
Proofreading
Whether your portfolio is a hard copy or digital, be sure to proofread before sending it out. It is a good idea to have others review it as well. A trusted professor or mentor is an excellent person to critique your portfolio. You may also schedule an appointment with a career advisor to review your portfolio.
Leadership and Organizational Development
Tailor Your Application
- Showcase Transferable Skills: Emphasize leadership, collaboration, cultural competence, and adaptability. These skills matter whether you’re applying for a classroom role, a training position in a corporation, or a policy role in government.
- Highlight Impact: Use examples of how you’ve improved learning outcomes, supported organizational change, or advanced equity and inclusion.
- Customize for the Sector: Align your resume and cover letter with the language and priorities of the organization—whether it’s student success, workforce development, or community engagement.
Resume Templates & Guides
Pro Tips
- Leverage Your Network: Connect with professionals in education-related fields through LinkedIn, alumni groups, and professional associations.
- Stay Current: Be prepared to discuss emerging trends like digital learning, equity initiatives, and organizational transformation.
Interviews
- Practice Across Contexts: Interview styles vary—academic roles may focus on teaching philosophy, while corporate or nonprofit roles may emphasize strategic thinking and adaptability.
- Know the Mission: Research the organization’s goals and values. Be ready to connect your experience to their impact areas.
- Demonstrate Leadership and Problem-Solving: Share stories of how you’ve led teams, managed projects, or navigated complex challenges.
- Show Cultural Awareness: Employers value professionals who can work effectively across diverse communities and organizational cultures.
- Be Ready for Scenario Questions: Many interviews include questions about handling change, conflict resolution, or designing inclusive programs.
Practice
You’ll feel more comfortable during your interview with a little practice first. Big Interview is a web-based video platform that allows you to respond to a series of pre-recorded interview questions from your computer. Afterward, you will be able to review your recording to see how you did.
Got an interview coming up? Practice with one of our career advisors. Schedule a one-hour mock interview - we will help you prepare to answer interview questions and offer tips to help you make an excellent impression.
- HOD Internship Handbook: For B.A. in Human and Organizational Development students, the HOD Handbook offers guidance on internships, career planning, and professional development.
- LinkedIn Learning: Build your skills with curated courses in leadership, HR, instructional design, and organizational change. Suggested topics:
- Foundations of Human Resources
- Instructional Design Essentials
- Change Management Foundations
- Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging
- Data-Driven Decision Making
Common career paths:
- Learning & Development Coordinator
- Leadership Program Coordinator
- Organizational Development Associate
- Training Specialist
- Program Associate
- Instructional Designer
- Talent Development or HR Development Coordinator
- Internships and Micro-Internships: Apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings—corporate, nonprofit, or government.
- Professional Associations: Join groups like ATD (Association for Talent Development), SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), or NASPA (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators) for networking and learning. Search for additional professional associations, here.
- Volunteer and Informational Interviews: Contribute to community programs or organizational initiatives to build your portfolio. Utilize your VCU network by connecting to alumni in your field with VCU Link.
Higher education resources
Career testimonials
Watch video testimonials from professionals in the education sector made possible through Candid Career.
Interested in learning more from an interviewee? Click their name to visit their Candid Career page!