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5 Things You Can Do with a Degree in Special Education

June 7, 2018 by Tim McMahon

Special education is one of the most in-demand specialties for teachers today. According to the CDC, about one in every six children has some type of developmental disability. Not all children requiring special education have a cognitive or physical delay or other challenge, as an increasing number of students are considered gifted or talented and need special education to meet their needs.

Earning a degree in special education opens the doors to a range of career opportunities, all of which are growing swiftly. As you think about your career in education, consider some of these paths to helping all students access the education they deserve.

Special Education Teacher

The most obvious path with a special education degree is to become a classroom teacher. Opportunities abound, as there are significant shortages of special education teachers in nearly every state. The expected growth in the field varies according to location and age group, with special education preschool and early childhood educators expected to see the most growth (9 percent) over the next six years. However, even elementary and secondary educators will see demand increase, with the expected growth rate at 6 percent.

Special education teachers may work with a full class of students, with individual students or with small groups. Some specialize in a specific subject area, such as reading, while others are generalists. Regardless, working as a special education teacher requires a higher-than-average degree of flexibility and patience, as well as a willingness to manage the paperwork that comes along with special education and to work as part of a team of parents, counselors, administrators and other teachers.

Special Education Specialist

Some schools or districts hire specialists to work with a specific population of students. For example, you might work with hearing-impaired students as an ASL interpreter or earn an autism certification online to work specifically with students with autism. In fact, autism is on the rise, with the CDC reporting rates of 1 in 68 children, and many of these children are being mainstreamed into traditional classrooms. Often, they need one-on-one assistance, and a special education specialist fills that role. In some cases, the specialist will work with the same student throughout their time in the school, allowing them to build a special bond and relationship with the student and his or her family. Specialists often face many of the same challenges as classroom teachers, though, in terms of needing patience and flexibility and managing the intricacies of special education.

Student Advocate

When a student requires special education services, they generally have an Individual Education Plan, or IEP. IEPs are developed with the input of teachers, counselors, healthcare providers, social workers school administrators and parents. The process isn’t always easy, and many parents find that they aren’t fully prepared to advocate for their child. That’s where a student or family advocate comes in. They serve as an objective third party for the family, putting their knowledge of the ins and outs of special education to work to ensure that the student receives all necessary services and that the IEP is thorough and effective. Most student advocates work on a freelance or contract basis and have at least a few years of experience working in a school or program before they become an advocate.

Early Intervention Specialist

Some children present signs of cognitive or physical delays or disabilities early in life – sometimes as early as infancy. Early intervention specialists work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers to deliver interventions that will have a positive effect on their growth and development. Early intervention specialists often work with social workers and medical providers to provide services in the home, medical setting or a center or classroom. This role also requires a great deal of patience, as well as a thorough understanding of child development and developmental milestones.

Special Education Diagnostician

For many children, [Read more…] about 5 Things You Can Do with a Degree in Special Education

Job Success Tips for College Students

September 25, 2012 by Tim McMahon

How can College Students become Job-ready?

Are you in your junior or senior year of college? Prepare yourself for the job market now and don’t let the recession bother you. As a college student you might not find too many jobs. But, you can build a strong foundation for a future career.

Here are some tips for college students to lay a foundation while in college.

How can College Students be Successful in the Job Market?

A challenge for many college students is gaining experience. Training new employees, is expensive so companies often prefer to hire people who have the work experience, if they are available. So, how does a college student find a job?

Attitude Goes a Long Way

College students who have the motivation and who can work hard and smart can overcome the “experience” block. One key factor that employers look at is attitude. Often a future employer will choose the candiate with the stronger work ethic over one with more experience or better credentials. Become a hard worker, don’t expect to laze around and get paid for it. Show energy, enthusiasm for the job, a friendly attitude and be willing to learn. You can’t fake this, it must come from within. If you enjoy what you are doing you will have the right attitude. Don’t think of work as a drudgery that you have to do so you will have money to live on weekends. Think of it as an opportunity to do interesting stuff, meet interesting people and learn new things.

Gain Skills and Experience

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The Importance of Building Credit as a Young Adult

June 26, 2012 by Tim McMahon

Building Credit

If you are currently in college, or have recently graduated from college, you know how difficult it is to get a credit card due to a lack of credit history. For those of us who are a little older, this may seem unbelievable, because when we were in school, credit card offers would literally pour out of our mailboxes.

In the past, credit companies would practically beg college students to sign up for low-balance student cards, but thanks to the credit collapse of 2008, that story has drastically changed. It is now nearly impossible to get accepted for a credit card if you have no previous credit history, and this is really hurting a lot of young adults who are trying to get on their feet.

Why You Need to Build Credit

It is a giant “Catch 22” You need a Credit History in order to Build a Credit History

Building Credit History—natloans (Flickr.com)You have to have credit history in order to buy or lease a car… buy a home…be considered for a loan…

And when do people usually first need loans? Two to three years after graduating from college. Without a credit card, college students can’t build the credit they need to do these things, and this is why it is important for parents to start helping their kids build their credit starting their freshman year.

How Parents Can Help Build Your Credit

Parents can help their children build credit by opening a joint account with them; with parents as the owners and the child as the authorized user. Have one card designated as the “credit-builder card.” Only use it to buy things like school textbooks or supplies, and pay it off as soon as you make purchases. This will teach your children good credit spending habits and slowly build their responsibility. It will require parents to constantly monitor the card’s use and stay on the child about making payments, but if the student is mindful, there shouldn’t be any problems.

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