Whether it’s the laughter filling the classroom or the spark of curiosity in a child’s eyes, working with children offers a unique blend of joy and fulfillment. At Pacific Oaks College, our Early Childhood Education programs are designed for those who want to harness and nurture this joy, empowering educators to make a profound impact in the lives of young learners. Learn more about the rewards of working with children in the education field.
The Impact of Nurturing Young Minds
Educators who choose careers working with children play a major role in shaping society’s future. When working with kids, you are not just teaching them; you are inspiring, guiding, and helping them discover who they are. A study by the Society for Research in Child Development highlights that high-quality early education has a long-lasting impact on a child’s academic success and social development. The study found that children from low-income households who were enrolled in two years or more of high-quality early childhood education by age 5 were more likely to graduate from college and had higher salaries at age 26. Being able to play a part in such a pivotal and influential part of a child’s life is extremely rewarding and impactful.
Career Opportunities Abound
Early Childhood Education Career Demand
The demand for skilled professionals in early childhood education remains high. Careers working with children offer stability and opportunities for growth and advancement. Whether you aim to become a teacher, a counselor, or an educational administrator, an Early Childhood Education degree from Pacific Oaks College opens doors to numerous possibilities for working with children in educational settings.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is 1% from 2022-2032, indicating the job outlook will stay steady over the projected 10 years. With that said, this field still shows a demand for teachers every year due to the nature of the field. With teachers continually exiting the workforce to retire, there are more than 100,000 openings, on average, each year in the early childhood education field.
Opportunities for Mobility in the ECE Field
Due to the flexible nature of early childhood education, there are many opportunities for career development within the field. Starting out your career with a B.A. and M.A. in ECE is a great place to start for an entry-level position post-graduation and post-licensure.
Within the ECE field, there are many different options for upward mobility in your career by gaining new skills with certificates and credentials. These are the specialization, credential, and certificate opportunities offered at Pacific Oaks College:
- M.A. in Education: Special Education for someone looking to enter a career teaching special education students.
- M.A. in ECE: Organizational Leadership and Management for those interested in a management position in an education setting.
- M.A. in ECE: Trauma Studies for students looking to be able to identify and address behavioral challenges in students due to childhood trauma.
- Online Transitional Kindergarten Certificate for those who are looking to transition into a leadership role out of the classroom.
- Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education for anyone looking to advance their education career and work in an administrative and leadership role.
- Online California Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential for students looking for a K-12 teaching credential that follows California Commission on Teacher Credentialing standards.
- In-person ECE Certificate in STEAM for those looking to add valuable education skills such as enhanced analytical skills, cooperation, problem-solving, hypothesizing, and creativity to their classroom.
Learn about the differences between the ECE programs to explore your options at Pacific Oaks.
Fostering Creativity and Lifelong Learning
In early childhood education, creativity is not just encouraged; it is essential. Educators learn to develop and apply innovative teaching methods that captivate young minds. Numerous studies, such as this by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), demonstrate that creativity builds critical thinking skills that are needed for academic and lifelong success.
The rewards of teaching in such a creatively rich environment extend far beyond the classroom. Creativity is contagious, and being surrounded by imaginative children can inspire educators to think outside the box, both professionally and personally. Seeing the creative minds at work can help them break down the barriers they set for themselves and approach problems with fresh, innovative perspectives.
Witnessing these developmental milestones and fostering the growth of the next generation’s leaders is one of the greatest rewards of teaching. Read our blog if you’re looking for resources on how to incorporate creative interactive teaching into your lesson plans.
Join Our Community of Change-Makers
If you are passionate about making a difference and want to take on one of the many rewarding careers working with children, consider Pacific Oaks College’s Early Childhood Education programs. Here, we are dedicated to fostering an educational environment that prioritizes both child development and professional growth.
For more information about our programs and how you can start your journey in this field, visit our website or contact our admissions office. Take the first step toward transforming lives—both yours and those of the children you will teach.
