With an adult education certification, you can become eligible for a variety of education-related fields and other job opportunities. Some of these job opportunities include teaching teenage and adult students within an educational institution. Others include working with companies who need to train their employees. Some management careers, such as those managing education and training programs, call for an adult education certification. Keep in mind that the earlier you decide on a career related to adult education, the better you can prepare to meet the requirements to obtain that particular degree.
Perhaps the most common jobs you can obtain with an adult education certification are teaching careers. Typically, teaching careers in the adult education field focus on preparing teenagers and adults who never obtained a high school diploma. These students want to earn their GEDs or another comparable degree, and a teacher with an adult education certification can help them do so. Jobs such as these might be offered at high schools, vocational schools, adult learning centers, and even correctional institutions. Of course, an adult education degree might also qualify you for teaching adult education on a college level and preparing other teachers for these fields.
Teaching careers in the adult education field don’t always focus solely on preparing students for earning degrees or diplomas. Many adult learning programs prepare older teenagers and adults for the various aspects of the workforce. Such aspects might include looking and applying for jobs, the interview process, and workplace conduct. You might find a job managing a literacy program designed to teach reading and writing skills so illiterate adults can eventually move on to other educational programs. Some programs specialize in personal development, helping students learn to achieve their full potential beyond just the classroom or job site.
If you’re not interested in teaching careers, there are a variety of other employers who might be attracted to someone with an adult education certification. For example, companies that need professionals for human resource development might prefer an applicant with an adult education degree. These kinds of jobs might focus on training new and existing workers, and having training in teaching adults could help you get hired for such a job.
There are several ways to earn an adult education certification. If you already have a degree in education, you might take an extra class during your spare time to add the certification to your primary degree. The same is true if you’re currently working toward an education degree. Depending on the college or university, as well as your career plans, you might major in adult education for a master’s or doctorate-level degree. Talk with mentors, co-workers, and your college academic adviser about the best options for you and your job choice.