School of Education

Academic Careers

As you explore opportunities in academia:

Develop your research profile by collaborating with faculty, presenting at conferences, and publishing when possible.
Learn about academic careers by exploring different institution types, understanding faculty expectations, and seeking leadership or service opportunities.
Gain teaching experience and create a teaching portfolio.
Develop transferable skills such as communication, collaboration, grant writing, project management, and mentoring, which are valued across academic careers.
Search for roles in reliable, time-honored sources such as The Chronicle and HigherEdJobs.

Careers in K-12

For those targeting roles in K-12 institutions:

Prepare for the hiring process by creating a strong resume and teaching portfolio.
Build your professional network by connecting with teachers, administrators, and alumni by utilizing W&M One Network and LinkedIn.
Be prepared to discuss your teaching philosophy and classroom management style.
Check out job postings in School Spring and EdWeek for Virginia School Administrators.
Attend the Exploring Careers in Education Career Fair at the School of Education (early spring semester); prepare by practicing your elevator pitch and interviewing.
Search specific school district websites for geographic areas and job opportunities in which you are interested. Many school districts also have spring or summer employment fairs and events.
If you are interested in teaching abroad, consider applying for the Fulbright U.S Student Program or Japan Exchange & Teaching Program.

Non-Academic Careers

If you are interested in exploring careers beyond educational institutions:

Explore a myriad of career paths in nonprofits, government agencies, educational technology, consulting, corporate learning and development, policy, and research organizations.
Condense your CV into a concise 1–2-page resume, and focus on tangible results, methods, and transferable skills.
Tailor your application materials by translating academic experience into employer-focused resumes and cover letters.
Network by building relationships through W&M One Network and LinkedIn.
Search for professional organizations by industry or occupation using the CareerOneStop Professional Association Finder or the O*NET Professional Associations Search.
Utilize resources and services in the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement.

These sites offer some alternative career ideas for educators:

W&M Graduate Student Organizations

Joining a graduate student association at William & Mary is a great way to build your professional network, develop leadership skills, and connect with peers who share your interests in education. Whether you're preparing for a career in K–12 schools, higher education, or educational leadership, involvement in a graduate student organization can strengthen your skills, expand your professional connections, and enhance your graduate experience.

Regularly Offered Programs

Exploring Careers in Education Career Fair (Early Spring Semester)
Georgetown University’s Virtual Government, Education, & Non-profit Career Fair (Spring Semester)
Pop-Up Career Advising
The Art of In-Person Networking
Utilizing One Network and LinkedIn

See the full list of upcoming events from the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement in TribeCareers.

Resources

Career Advising in the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement

Wherever you are on your career journey, our career advisors are here to help! Appointments are offered in person and virtually from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

W&M Graduate Center

The Graduate Center partners with other offices on campus to offer a variety of programs that help students develop specific skills and excel academically and professionally. The Grad Center is located in Ewell Hall, Room 250. Graduate students can use their W&M ID card to enter from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

TribeCareers

For the full list of job, internship, and event postings offered by the Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement, log into TribeCareers using your W&M username and password. Contact our office to learn how you can most effectively use this resource as a student completing an advanced degree.

Industry Career Newsletters

Sign up for Industry Newsletters in TribeCareers to receive updates on programs, events, resources, and opportunities. Industry Newsletter options include Business, Creative, Education & Human Services, Public Service, and Science & Technology. In TribeCareers, go to your Profile in the upper right-hand corner > My Account > Industry Newsletters/Career Interests > and select your desired industry/industries.

Industry Career Blackboard Sites

The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement offers graduate students access to several industry Blackboard sites which contain a variety of career resources. Students can self-enroll in Business, Creative, Education & Human Services, Public Service, and Science & Technology.

Graduate Student Career Resources Blackboard Site

The Graduate Student Career Resources Blackboard Site - Career and Professional Development Resources for Research Graduate Students - includes the Beyond platform and other career resources to help graduate students navigate both academic and non-academic job markets.

Whether searching regionally, nationally or globally, LinkedIn can be a great source to connect with alumni and professionals in your field of interest, which may provide opportunities you wouldn’t find elsewhere. To learn more about how to build a profile and utilize LinkedIn for networking, talk to an Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement career advisor.

W&M One Network

In addition to LinkedIn, W&M One Network offers career connections with over 12,000 alumni, along with online networking events and an extensive career resource library.

Professional Headshot Booth

Need a photo for your LinkedIn or One Network account? Students are welcome to stop by the Cohen Career Center to have a photo taken in our Professional Headshot Booth Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Big Interview

Big Interview is an online, customizable interview preparation software and a free service for William & Mary graduate students. Typically, a screening interview for employment will likely be in a virtual format, and Big Interview’s AI (artificial intelligence) module will help you understand how to be successful in a virtual interview. In fact, W&M users have improved their interview style and effectiveness by an average of 35% through the use of Big Interview. If you’ve never used Big Interview before, register and use your W&M credentials to create an account.

W&M Entrepreneurship Hub

The Entrepreneurship Hub educates, inspires, and supports students in developing and applying entrepreneurial skills and mindsets. Whether you're from the arts, sciences, or just wandering the realms of possibility, the Hub is your space to explore, learn, and grow. Everyone's welcome!

LinkedIn Learning

Thanks to William & Mary Libraries, graduate students have access to LinkedIn Learning, an online educational platform that helps you attain certifications, and also discover and develop skills and learning paths that can further enhance your candidacy for future opportunities.

Portfolio Services

Interfolio is an online dossier service platform that provides storage for confidential letters of recommendation and application materials. Account holders can schedule deliveries of their application materials electronically or by mail. Account holders can also search for jobs, grants and fellowships. Learn more about service and pricing on their website.

Library of Congress

Through the Library of Congress, you can customize professional development modules on a variety of subjects. This resource is specifically for educators interested in personal professional development as well as the design of professional development courses for colleagues.