Beyond the Classroom: 7 Unusual Career Paths for Education Graduates

7 Unconventional careers for Bachelor of Education graduates 

 

Education graduates often find themselves pigeonholed into traditional teaching roles. However, the skills acquired throughout your studies can open doors to various exciting and unconventional career paths for teachers or education professionals. 

 

Here are seven unusual education careers that leverage an education degree in unique ways (some of which you may have never even considered):

 

1. Corporate Trainer

A corporate trainer is responsible for visiting companies and training employees with the most recent and up-to-date information and skills within a specific industry. 

These trainers will typically specialise in different fields, such as technology, communications, or project management—which are all areas businesses need help with. 

 

Some of their main responsibilities include: 

• Meeting with company managers to understand the specific needs and training goals.
• Plan and create training lessons and materials.
• Leading comprehensive training sessions on site (typically three days or more).
• Providing support and answering questions, ensuring employees get the most out of their training.

 

2. Educational Consultant

As an educational consultant, you’ll collaborate with schools, districts, and academic organisations to improve curricula and teaching strategies that help drive better student learning. 

This role is excellent for you if you want to make a big difference in the educational industry since you can influence education policies and practices on a large scale. 

In other words, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of education in South Africa, including incorporating more technology and online learning. 

 

3. Curriculum Developer

Speaking of improving curricula, you can also become a curriculum developer. In this position, you’ll design educational content and resources tailored to South Africa’s needs. 

You’ll collaborate with schools and educational organisations to help create relevant and inclusive criteria. You’ll need to: 

• Develop subject-specific content.
• Integrate technology into the classroom.
• Promote inclusive education.
• Align with national education policies.

This job also carries much responsibility, as you’ll ensure students receive a well-rounded education.  

 

4. Nonprofit programme coordinator

Nonprofit organisations often look for professionals with an educational background to help design and manage programmes that focus on youth development.

This job is perfect if you are passionate about helping kids in need and making a meaningful impact beyond the traditional classroom setting. 

 

Some of your responsibilities may include the following: 

• Developing youth development programmes.
• Hosting community workshops.
• Leading outreach initiatives.
• Building partnerships with local schools, businesses, and government agencies.
  

 

5. EdTech Product Manager

Educational technology has seen a massive rise over the past few years, with many schools and colleges already implementing tech and tools into their curriculum. 

 

As an EdTech product manager, you’ll be responsible for developing and enhancing educational tools and software. 

 

This role requires a mix of educational insights (i.e., teaching skills) and technical knowledge so you can create the best solutions that can truly make a difference in students’ and teachers’ lives. 

 

You’ll have to:

• Develop products.
• Do market research.
• Test the tools and get feedback to develop further.
• Work closely with designers, engineers, and marketing teams to ensure that the product meets standards and reaches its target users.

 

6. Museum or cultural heritage educator

Museums often hire educators to provide visitors with a learning experience since they know how to tell compelling and engaging stories.

As a museum educator, you’ll need to: 

• Lead guided tours through the museum.
• Develop and implement educational programmes for school groups.
• Host interactive workshops.
• Create outreach initiatives that bring museum education to underserved communities.

 

This is an excellent career for you if you are fascinated by history or cultural subjects and want to raise cultural awareness among young people.  

 

7. Government Education Advisor

Government education advisors are responsible for analysing educational policies, conducting research, and offering insights into how these policies can improve to make education better. 

 

In this role, you’ll influence policy-making and have the chance to significantly impact the future of education in South Africa. 

 

Some of your day-to-day duties may include: 

 

• Analyse policies to assess their effectiveness. 
• Research educational issues, such as the quality of education, and provide data to advocate for policy changes. 
• Draft policy recommendations in the form of comprehensive reports that outline your findings and recommendations. \

 

Best Bachelor of Education programmes and other online teaching courses for unconventional students

There are many different Bachelor of Education courses available that can help education students who prefer to pursue less mainstream career paths to achieve their dreams. 

 

An excellent course to start with is the BEd Senior Phase and FET course since it gives you the teaching skills you need to succeed in any of the careers mentioned above. It also lets you specialise in a specific area based on your passions. 

 

For example, suppose you’re interested in becoming a corporate trainer. In that case, you can consider specialising in English as a subject so you gain expert communication skills that you can provide to companies. 

 

Alternatively, suppose you already have a degree but would like to specialise further. In that case, you can also consider other courses in the school of education, such as the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Management (which can help you enter the management side of education). 

 

Register for one of MANCOSA’s online teaching courses

You can take many different avenues as an education graduate aside from becoming a traditional teacher. From becoming a corporate trainer to a museum educator, you can still pursue your love of teaching without needing to be in the classroom. 

 

Look at MANCOSA’s Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and FET course, which will give you an excellent foundation for teaching and the opportunity to specialise in an area you’re passionate about.