Educational Studies | Career Centre

Do you yearn for a career within the Education sector and for implementing theories of Education? Education is a foundation for growth and achievement across all sectors. Majoring in Educational Studies at York will provide you with a solid foundation for a career within a variety of settings outside the traditional classroom. Educational Studies can allow you to realize your passion by giving you leverage to facilitate innovative change, and by applying the knowledge of how and why people learn to contribute to their communities and succeed in their chosen fields.

Career Options in Educational Studies

Below is a sample list of some choices to explore following a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies. This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what potential careers a degree in Educational Studies can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Educational Studies than others.

This list is not exhaustive but provides an idea of the options graduates have and what they have gone on to do. Some options are more directly associated with an Educational Studies degree than others.

Academic/Career Advisor
Archivist
Author
Child Development Specialist
Children’s Rights Advocate
Community Educator
Corporate Trainer
E-Learning Consultant
Editor
Education Policy Consultant
Educational Tour Guide
Health Educator
Historian
Instructional Designer
Journalist
Learning Consultant
Legal Aid Worker
Life Coach
Lobbyist

Museum or Gallery Educator
Non-Profit Organization Director
Performance Consultant
Politician
Post-secondary Administrator
Public Policy Analyst
Researcher
Social Program Director
Speech Writer
Talent Development Manager
Tutor
Translator
UN Representative
Women’s Rights Advocate
Researcher
Social Program Director
Zoo Educator

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through an Educational Studies Degree

A background in Educational Studies ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills an Educational Studies degree can help you develop:

Core Educational Studies Skills

A strong understanding and awareness of contemporary andragogy, social equity issues and human development
Knowledge of the philosophical and social foundations of modern education through an interdisciplinary approach
Essential skills necessary to succeed in educational work outside of the traditional classroom

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present on various sources and the ability to concentrate on relevant resources
The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks
The capacity to critically analyze problems, think creatively and make sound decisions while considering different sides of an argument
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields, put them into writing and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result
The capacity to lead and interact with a variety of people with different approaches and personal and professional backgrounds
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the task and department.
The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field. The following is a selection of organizations related to the field of Educational Studies that you may want to visit as you research career options for Educational Studies graduates.