Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Explore our education academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Curriculum Guide
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Unlock career potential in education! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Sample Education Internship Sites
Education majors going into teaching will complete student teaching experiences coordinated by the College of Education and Community Innovation. However, internships provide another way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Education Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine gaining firsthand experience in the educational systems of Finland or Japan, renowned for their innovative approaches to teaching. Picture yourself collaborating with future educators from around the world in a classroom setting in Spain or Australia, exchanging ideas and perspectives on global education. Imagine exploring the rich cultural history of teaching methods and educational policies in countries with unique approaches to learning. Studying abroad can offer education majors the opportunity to broaden their horizons, gain new insights into teaching practices, and deepen their understanding of diverse educational environments.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
A favorite GVSU memory was creating and curating a student art show with my friend (also art teacher) Michelle Haapala. As art education majors, a final show was not part of our degree, but we wanted to show what our students could do.
My favorite GVSU memory is singing at the football stadium with the Voices of GVSU. That was so much fun even though it was cold.
My favorite memory from GVSU is either Kleiner Late Night or when the pendulum went viral on Vine after Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball song released.
Poker nights with friends in the ravines, followed by a long drive to East GR for late-night hotdogs.
There are no upcoming Career Community- Education at this time
Consider joining the Education Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
You’ve mastered the world of undergraduate education, congratulations! Now you’re ready to take your passion for teaching to the next level and deepen your understanding of how to inspire and empower future generations. Check out graduate school options for education majors.
Master of Education (M.Ed.): This is the perfect choice if you're looking to deepen your knowledge of teaching practices and education theory. M.Ed. programs often offer specializations in areas like curriculum design, educational leadership, or special education, and can prepare you for roles in teaching, administration, or policy.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): This degree is tailored for those who want to become classroom teachers, with a strong focus on pedagogy, classroom management, and educational psychology. MAT programs often offer a pathway to teaching certification.
Educational Leadership/Administration: If you're interested in moving into administrative roles, such as becoming a school principal, superintendent, or educational consultant, these programs focus on leadership skills, educational policy, and management within school systems.
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.
