Education Degree
Career and Technical Education - Agricultural Education | Career and Technical Education | Elementary Education | English Language Arts Education | History and Social Science Education | Mathematics Education | Technology Education
Focus Areas
Academic Focus
Co-Curricular and Engagement
Career Development
Milestone
First Year: Explore
Academic Focus
- Meet with your academic advisor and build your academic plan
- Complete foundational courses
- Enroll in Pathways courses aligned with your interests
- Explore potential minors or second majors
- Learn about licensure requirements and program expectations
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Attend Gobblerfest and join student organizations related to your interests
- Visit the Student Success Center for support services
- Begin exploring study abroad and VT Engage or service learning opportunities, including youth engagement
Career Development
- Begin developing your professional resume
- Create a Handshake account
- Attend a career exploration workshop or event
- Volunteer in schools, after-school programs, camps, or youth-serving organizations
- Complete the CliftonStrengths assessment
Milestone
- Confirm interest in education and teaching-related career pathways
- Establish connections with faculty and peers
- Gain initial experience working with children or youth
Middle Years: Focus and Connect
Academic Focus
- Update your academic plan with your advisor
- Attend a college or departmental info session on research opportunities and engage in undergraduate research or a faculty-led project
- Declare a minor, or second major, if applicable
- Take upper-level major requirements
- Review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) and apply for your degree in Hokie Spa
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Attend lectures and guest speaker events
- Begin undergraduate research or join a faculty-led research project
- Serve in a leadership role with a student organization
- Study abroad or participate in a global experience, if aligned with academic plan
- Participate in service-learning and community engagement projects
Career Development
- Update your resume and have it reviewed; complete mock interviews
- Reach out to a VT alum for an informational interview
- Complete observation, practicum, or field experiences in educational settings
- Attend a career fair(s) and build your LinkedIn profile
- Plan for graduate school applications (research programs, review requirements, prepare to request letters of recommendation) or post-grad job search
Milestone
- Complete significant field-based learning experiences
- Develop confidence in professional and instructional skills
- Build a network of educators, mentors, and professional contacts
Last Year: Launch
Academic Focus
- Complete student teaching, internship, and capstone experiences
- Ensure all remaining degree requirements in DARS are planned and completed, including licensure requirements
- Demonstrate readiness for professional practice through classroom and field experiences
Co-Curricular and Engagement
- Continue to serve in a leadership or mentorship role
- Help plan department events or alumni panels
- Volunteer for university outreach or recruitment
Career Development
- Update resume and LinkedIn profile with experiences
- Apply to jobs, grad programs, or fellowships
- Reflect on experiential learning and leverage it in interviews
- Attend college and university professional development events
- Complete First Destination Survey
Milestone
- Graduate with a clear plan and a professional network
- Engage with alumni association in your hometown
Finding
Your Future
in Education
Our graduates have the skills to:
- Understand a variety of instructional approaches, adapt instruction to fit needs, and implement current best practices in education
- Apply a learner-centered approach
- Develop instruction that welcomes students’ cultural backgrounds and lived experiences
Common job titles include:
- Teacher
- Private tutor
- Academic advisor
- Online educator
- Education consultant
- Museum educator
- Principal
- Professor
Top Employers & Graduate Schools:
- Fairfax County Public Schools
- Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Chesterfield County Public Schools
- Virginia Tech
- University of Virginia
- Old Dominion University
Personalize Your Path
Every student’s path is unique. Use this resource as a guide and work with your academic advisor, faculty mentor, and career advisor to customize your experience.