Education Major
If you are considering a career in education after college, there are many exciting opportunities from which you can choose — and many college majors that can prepare you for this career path. HelloCollege offers education career services designed to help college-bound students explore their interest in the field of education so they can make more informed decisions. Our individualized college major exploration services can help you find the right college and major to turn your future career goals into a reality.
Popular Education Careers
Many people pursue education careers because they want to be teachers at the primary or secondary level. However, there are also many administrative, specialist and higher education careers to consider. The following list highlights some of the most popular education major jobs, although there are other possibilities not included:
- Elementary School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- High School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- School Principal or Vice Principal
- Superintendent
- Standardized Test Developer
- Education Consultant
- Curriculum Designer
- Art, Drama or Music Teacher
- Instructional Coordinator
- Librarian
- School Guidance Counselor
- Career Counselor
- Adult Literacy/GED Teacher
- Health Educator
- Physical Education Teacher
- Training and Development Manager
- Textbook Author
Common Education Majors
For many successful education professionals, a career in this field started with an education undergraduate degree. If you think you want to go into education, choosing the right college major can improve your chances of landing the type of job you want after you graduate.
While there are many college majors related to education, it is important to note that you do not actually need to major in education to get a teaching job — in most cases. In fact, many teachers majored in other fields and then obtained their teaching certification after graduation. This is common for teachers at the middle school and high school levels, many of whom earned degrees in the subjects they teach. For example, a high school math teacher may have majored in a math-related field before pursuing her or his teaching certification.
Some of the most popular college majors for those who want to pursue education careers include the following:
- Elementary Education
- Secondary Education
- Educational Leadership
- Special Education
- Early Education Studies
- Higher Education Leadership and Administration
- STEM
- Psychology
- History
- Sociology
- English/Liberal Arts
Note that these degree programs represent just a sample of the myriad options available at colleges and universities across the country.
Explore Education Career Paths With HelloCollege
The individualized college major exploration services offered by HelloCollege can help you explore your interest in education, or any other field you may be considering. Our process begins with a comprehensive career aptitude test. We will not tell you what field or college major you should consider. Instead, a certified career coach will work closely with you, giving you the information and tools you need to better understand potential college major options and to select schools that can help you reach your goals.
To learn more, contact HelloCollege today!
We’re passionate about your college success
Kevin Krebs
Founder and Managing Director
Inspired by his parents, Kevin’s journey from a first-gen, diverse, low-income background to Northwestern University shaped him. After experiencing challenges, including student loan debt, he founded HelloCollege and has spent the last 30 years helping students successfully navigate college admissions.
Allison Dahleen
VP of Client Services
As an MSA holder, Allison brings a wealth of experience supporting students in higher education. As the respected Service Leader at HelloCollege, she leads her team in expertly navigating admissions and academic advising, empowering students to achieve their goals with confidence and success.
Arman Davtyan
Director of Counseling
Arman joins HelloCollege after spending 20+ years in higher education, leading a range of student-facing services, from admissions and enrollment to academic advising and career development. As Director of Counseling, he drives initiatives to enhance and scale college counseling services as HelloCollege continues to expand its reach nationwide.
Kim Shipman
Counseling Manager & College Counselor
Kim brings over 10 years of experience in college counseling, including 7 years as a high school college counselor. With a background in career services at universities including Rice and Duke, she has supported students in earning admission to institutions such as Cornell, Johns Hopkins, UT Austin, Rice, Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, University of Michigan, and Boston University.
Chris Wilson
Application Strategist
Christopher Wilson is an archaeologist, art historian, military veteran, and current Mid-Career Master in Public Administration student at Harvard University. A graduate of Princeton University, Yale University, and the University of Chicago, Christopher has dedicated his career to protecting archaeological and cultural resources while advocating for underserved communities. A Registered Professional Archaeologist, Pat Tillman Scholar, and frequent conference speaker, he is passionate about using his expertise to make a lasting impact, whether through mentoring students, supporting veterans and marginalized communities, or preserving history for future generations.
Tracey Bradnan
Application Strategist
Tracey Bradnan has worked in higher education for more than a decade and brings a deep understanding of the inner workings of top-ranked universities. She lives in Austin, Texas.
Austin Hughes
College Counselor
A first-generation college student and Rhodes Scholar turned college counselor, Austin Hughes brings a unique perspective shaped by his experiences at both a Big Ten university and the University of Oxford, where he earned his master’s degree. With firsthand knowledge of both U.S. and international higher education, Austin combines a deep understanding of the admissions landscape with a passion for storytelling and mentorship, helping students navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Angelique Singh
College Counselor
Dr. Angelique is a USC-trained college counselor and educator who blends practical empathy with strategic guidance, helping students build intentional experiences, compelling applications, and college pathways where they can thrive.
Kevin Paul
College Counselor
Kevin brings over 15 years of experience in college admissions and advising, including serving as Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions at UChicago's Booth School of Business. With a college advising certificate from Teachers College, Columbia University, he has helped students earn admission to top institutions including Harvard, Yale, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, UPenn, UChicago, and Northwestern.
Michael Broderick
College Counselor
With 20 years in college counseling and former roles as Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, Michael is an experienced admissions strategist who has helped students gain acceptance to top universities including MIT, Harvard, Yale, UPenn, Columbia, UChicago, Michigan, NYU, and Carnegie Mellon.
Jose Ireta
College Counselor
As a dedicated counselor with 25 years of experience assisting students with college applications, José Ireta possesses a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances involved in the college admission process. His previous roles as both a private college counselor and a public school counselor at an International Baccalaureate high school have honed his skills in essay editing, building realistic college lists, and supporting students from diverse backgrounds. His academic background in Counseling & Guidance (M.S.) and Educational Administration (M.A.), coupled with his commitment to student success, allows for a greater perspective on the college admission process.
Nicole Decuir
College Counselor
With almost 10 years of college advising experience and 20+ years as a school counselor and educator, Nicole has guided hundreds of students through the admissions process—including acceptances to Ivy League schools, top-tier liberal arts colleges, and highly ranked national universities. A certified School Counselor and IEP/504 Counselor, she helps students find best-fit colleges and build confident, personalized plans. Nicole holds a B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College and a master's in Counseling.
Brian Vasquez
College Counselor
Brian Vasquez is a Columbia-educated educator and college admissions consultant with extensive LA and NYC experience. He champions student vulnerability, genuine connection, and rigorous, research-based learning.
Bennett Burns
College Counselor
Duke University alum and experienced college admissions counselor with a background in Duke Admissions and as a Duke alumni interviewer. Bennett helps students discover what genuinely excites them, build meaningful experiences around their interests, and approach the college process with confidence, purpose, and ownership.
Don Keller
College Counselor
Don brings 30 years of experience in college admissions and counseling, including 10 years as a licensed high school counselor and 8 years as an admissions reader for UC Berkeley, Northeastern, and the QuestBridge Scholars program. Throughout his career, Don has guided more than 10,000 students through the application process, supporting acceptances to institutions like Brown, Dartmouth, UChicago, Northwestern and UT Austin.
Raymond Gonzales
College Counselor
Raymond brings 11 years of experience guiding students to Ivy and elite college acceptances from Brown, Duke, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, and UCLA. A first-generation college graduate with master’s degrees from Harvard, UPenn, and USC, Raymond specializes in BS/MD programs, liberal arts colleges, and nursing students. He also serves on the Common App Advisory Council.
Adam Salazar
College Counselor
Adam brings 8 years of experience working directly in university admissions and student advising. He has served as an Admissions Advisor, Admissions Committee Reader, Graduate Advisor, and financial aid specialist at the University of Central Florida, giving him an insider’s perspective on how applications are evaluated.
Claire Kirchoff
College Counselor
Claire is a licensed high school counselor and Fullbright Scholar with 10 years of experience guiding students through highly selective and Ivy League college admissions. She has served as a counselor across public, private, and boarding school settings, supporting acceptances to institutions such as Harvard, Cornell, Vanderbilt, and Emory.
Kristen Stephenson
College Counselor
Kristen brings nearly 20 years of experience in college advising, with a background spanning independent college consulting, essay coaching, academic tutoring, and school counseling. She has worked with both domestic and international students to navigate the admissions process and has guided students to highly selective universities including Harvard, Rice, Duke, Cornell, Vanderbilt, NYU, and Georgetown.
Chelsea Zimmerman
College Counselor
Chelsea is a college admissions and career planning professional with 11 years of experience helping students navigate the transition from high school to their next chapter. She’s guided students through the admissions process at a wide range of institutions, including highly selective universities, large public schools, and international programs. Her students have earned admission to schools such as Tufts, UT-Austin, University of Rochester, University of Georgia, Case Western and IU-Bloomington.
