Education is a fundamental piece of modern life. Most people begin school around age six, but oftentimes one will begin in preschool around the age of 4 or 5. Education is essential to the growth and development of a nation, and there is always a need for more educators. A career in education will not only benefit your own life, but the lives of all the students you encounter in your career. This article will explore reasons why you should consider a career in education.

Why is education important?

Education has a great impact on humanity and society as we know it today. It is the gaining of knowledge in order to develop perspective and opinions. Education has become so valued in American society, that it is common for college graduates to earn more than someone who is considered less-educated. It has also been shown that Americans who receive a high school diploma are more likely to get married and less likely to raise a child in poverty than those who do not. Education has a strong link to success in relationships, as well as being an involved member of society. Aside from socially positive outcomes, education has the power to increase the human lifespan. Schooling and knowledge contribute to the development of a feeling of purpose among students. This in turn creates more ambition and motivation to enact change, which gives a person a reason to wake up in the morning. The best movers and changers of the world are educated about the world itself. Without their education, they would not know the reasons to fight for what they believe in. All these and more are reasons why education is important to a society.

What Kind of Degree to Get

If you value a career in education, you will need a degree to get a foothold in the field. Beyond a master’s degree, it is possible to get a doctorate in education. This degree will have you immersed in practice-based learning. Also known as an EdD, this degree differs from a PhD. A PhD will typically require you to complete out-of-classroom work. An EdD will focus less on the teaching of education and more on the systems of learning, including administrative, organizational, and training capabilities. It addresses the educational system as a whole, whereas a PhD will generally lead you into the classroom as the one doing the teaching.

Careers with an EdD

There are plenty of unique and challenging career opportunities for someone with a doctorate in education. These choices range from director of a nonprofit, dean, teacher or corporate trainer, to director of human resources. These careers can lead to five- or six-digit salary figures, making it easier to pay off those student loans.

Benefits of being an EdD

If the salary wasn’t promising enough, there are other, more touching reasons to choose a career in education. It is well known that helping others can help you. If you have a passion for organization, education, and the continued improvement of the educational system, obtaining your EdD could be very rewarding. The act of giving is responsible for personal growth and lasting happiness. It can lead to feelings of meaning and increased overall health in the giver. So, not only can you positively affect the lives of many, but you can do the same for your own life. By devoting your life to the organizational side of education, you may find that you can help a generation of Americans from low-income families afford to go to school because of efficiency and budgeting policies you will help create.

It is difficult to estimate the huge impact one education administrator can have on the lives of the masses. In total, the money is good, and the emotional rewards are even better to pursue a career in education.