How to Turn A Career In Adult Education Into a Lucrative and Meaningful Life

The field of adult education offers a wider array of career options than almost any other education specialty. In addition to helping motivated adults achieve their personal and professional goals, adult education instructors work inside and outside of traditional educational institutions. Opportunities in Adult Education by Blythe Camenson estimates that almost half of adults seek new learning opportunities every year. This means that career choices with promising pay scales abound.

You may have heard of Suze Orman, Dr. Wayne Dyer, or Chris Brogan. Orman and Dyer are among the most famous, and wealthy, adult educators working today. Brogan is headed in a similar direction, educating adults in how to use the Internet and social media.

You want to pursue an online degree program in adult education. What will your niche be?

Adult Education Literacy Teachers

Adult basic education and adult remedial education are synonyms for this sub-specialty. This field also includes Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESOL) and those who deliver General Education Diploma (GED) instruction. Adult education literacy teachers make a tremendous impact on the lives of people with families, who need to improve their literacy skills to increase their earning potential.

For those who hold TESOL certificates, teaching English abroad can be exciting and lucrative. Experienced TESOL teachers with master's degrees can secure profitable corporate contracts, and teach English as a Second Language at universities in countries, such as India, China, and Brazil. The opportunities for adult education literacy teachers are vast and growing.

Adult Continuing Education Providers

These instructors conduct personal enrichment courses in a wide array of areas, including:

• The Fine and Performing Arts
• Financial Education
• Technology Education
• Trade and Vocational Training
• Continuing Medical Education
• Physical Fitness, such as martial arts and yoga

If you already know what continuing education skills you would like to teach, learning research-based teaching methods is the next step. You can do that through an online adult education degree program.

Online Adult Education Schools, Junior Colleges, and Community Colleges

Whether you want to teach adult learning online, in the classroom, or both, this is the fastest growing sub-specialty in adult education. These jobs provide flexible schedules and substantial paychecks. Such schools add new online classes every semester. As you research online adult education degree programs, ask an admissions counselor about opportunities for learning how to teach online college courses.

How to Get Financial Aid for an Online Degree in Adult Education

• Determine that the online adult education degree you seek is accredited by searching databases at the Department of Education
• Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using your most recent tax information.
• Talk to financial aid counselors at the online schools of your choice about available grants, loans, fellowships and scholarships

Don't delay. Begin a meaningful career in adult education by pursuing an online bachelor's or master's degree. With just a few simple clicks, your future begins.