Careers in Education – Center for Career and Professional Development

Thinking about teaching or working in education? Kalamazoo College’s liberal arts education provides a strong foundation for careers in classrooms, student support services, educational nonprofits, and other learning-focused organizations.

Through the CCPD, faculty, and K’s Center for Civic Engagement, students can explore career paths, gain hands-on experience with local schools and community programs, connect with alumni educators, and investigate pathways to teacher certification.

Not sure where to start? Schedule a Careers in Education appointment to talk through your interests and next steps.

Jump to: Explore career paths | Gain experience | Teacher certification | Financial asistance

Education Career Paths

Classroom & School-Based Roles

Certified Teacher (Elementary/Secondary): subject/grade-band instruction; licensed.
Special Education, ESL/ELL, Reading Intervention: targeted support roles; licensed.
Paraeducator/Instructional Aide: classroom support; often no license required.
School Counseling, Psychology, Social Work: student services; graduate training/licensure.

Other Careers in Education (Requirements Vary)

After-School & Youth Development (nonprofits, community centers)
College Access & Success Programs (advising, mentoring)
Ed-Tech & Curriculum Publishing
Policy & Advocacy (districts, state agencies, nonprofits)
Early childhood education and programming
Higher education and student affairs
Museum education and informal learning
Instructional design and educational technology

Ways to Explore Education

Gain hands-on experience: Tutor, mentor, coach, or work with young people through K’s Center for Civic Engagement, including programs such as CAPS, Club Grub, El Sol Elementary, KLIP, and Swim for Success.
Connect with alumni educators: Arrange a job shadow or career conversation through KConnect.
Explore internships and jobs: Search for opportunities in schools, educational organizations, and after-school programs through Handshake.
Learn from professionals: Attend education-related panels, workshops, and employer events (full list on Handshake).
Try substitute teaching: Gain classroom experience while exploring whether teaching is right for you.

Substitute Teaching & Paraprofessional Roles

Working as a substitute teacher or substitute paraprofessional is one of the best ways to explore K–12 education while you’re still in college or right after graduation. These roles help you gain classroom experience, build professional references, and decide whether you’d like to pursue full teacher certification later.

Substitute Teaching in Kalamazoo County

Most local school districts use EDUStaff to hire and manage guest (substitute) teachers. You’ll complete the online application, required training modules, and onboarding through EDUStaff.org. Visit KRESA’s Guest Substitute Teaching page to learn more.

Qualifications:

At least 90 college credit hours from an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university (at K, this typically means Junior status)
An official college transcript (copy of the official transcript is acceptable)
OR a valid or expired Michigan teaching certificate (expired certificates qualify for a substitute permit)

Participating Kalamazoo County School Districts:
EDUStaff enrollment is required for all substitute teachers working in:

Climax-Scotts Community Schools
Comstock Public Schools
Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools
Gull Lake Community Schools
Kalamazoo Public Schools
Kalamazoo RESA
Parchment School District
Portage Public Schools
Schoolcraft Community Schools
Vicksburg Community Schools

Tip: Substitute assignments are flexible and can range from day-to-day placements to long-term roles. It’s a paid way to build experience in classrooms and explore different grade levels.

Compensation: typically $110–160/day depending on district and role.

Substitute Paraprofessional Opportunities

Paraprofessionals (often called “paras” or “teaching assistants”) work alongside teachers to support individual students or small groups.

Qualifications:

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
Willingness to work with students

Why it’s valuable:

Great preparation for graduate or certification programs in education, counseling, or special education

Provides hands-on experience in classroom management and student support

Routes to Initial Teacher Certification

There are several ways to become a certified teacher, depending on where you want to teach, your academic background, and whether you prefer to complete a preparation program before teaching or begin teaching while earning certification. Explore three common pathways below.

Path 1: Post-Bachelor’s Certification or Master’s Programs (State of Michigan)

These are university-based teacher-prep programs that include both coursework and supervised student teaching. They provide a structured pathway for those who want deeper preparation.

Typically takes 12–24 months to complete.
Leads directly to a Standard Teaching Certificate in that state.
Often available as either a post-bachelor’s certificate or a master’s degree + certification.

Examples:

University of Michigan – Master of Arts in Secondary Teacher Certification
Western Michigan University – Teacher Education Pathways
Oakland University – Master of Arts in Teaching with Certification

Michigan Certification Requirements

To earn a Michigan teaching certificate, candidates generally must:

Hold at least a bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Michigan-approved teacher preparation program, such as one of the post-bachelor’s or master’s programs above.
Complete required clinical experiences, including student teaching.
Pass the required Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) exams for their certification area.

Your teacher preparation program will guide you through the specific coursework, clinical experience, testing, and certification requirements for the grade level and subject area you plan to teach.

Scholarships / Incentives

MI Future Educator Fellowship: scholarship to lower or eliminate tuition costs while you train to become a teacher.
WMU Grow Your Own Teacher Education Program: fully-funded bachelor’s or master’s degree from WMU.

Path 2: Alternative Route Programs (Work + Train Model, State of Michigan)

Want to start teaching right away? Alternative route programs let you begin in the classroom while completing certification requirements.

Enroll with an MDOE-approved alternate-route provider.
Pass the relevant MTTC exam(s) and complete preservice training.
Earn an Interim Teaching Certificate (ITC) and begin teaching full time.
While teaching, finish coursework and mentoring through your provider.
After about 3 years of successful teaching, you can move to a Standard Teaching Certificate.

Path 3: Certification in Other States

Some K graduates pursue certification outside Michigan. Each state has its own process, but most offer alternative routes or post-bac programs for people with a bachelor’s degree.

Expect state-specific exams (Praxis, edTPA, or state-developed tests).
Reciprocity exists between states, but moving usually requires extra steps.
Start by checking the Department of Education website for the state where you want to teach.

Helpful resources: Teach.org, AAEE Job Search Handbook for Educators.

Financial Support for Future Michigan Teachers

Worried about the cost of becoming a teacher? Michigan offers financial assistance that can help make teacher certification more affordable.

MI Future Educator Fellowship: Up to $10,000 per academic year toward tuition and required fees for eligible students enrolled in approved Michigan teacher preparation programs.
MI Future Educator Stipend: Up to $9,600 per qualifying semester to support eligible students during their required student teaching experience.

Eligibility requirements and service commitments vary by program. Visit the State of Michigan’s Programs for Future Educators for current details and application information.

National Service Pathways in Education

Some students choose to explore education through national service programs before (or instead of) pursuing teacher certification. These experiences provide intensive training, professional development, and a chance to make an immediate impact.

Teach For America (TFA) recruits college graduates from all academic majors to teach full-time for two years in schools serving underserved communities. Participants earn a regular teacher’s salary and benefits through their school or district, receive training and coaching, and typically work toward teacher certification while teaching. Certification requirements and costs vary by location.

City Year (AmeriCorps) offers a year of full-time service supporting students in under-resourced schools through tutoring, mentoring, and classroom assistance. Participants receive a living stipend, an education award to use toward future education expenses or eligible student loans, and professional development opportunities. It’s a good option for graduates who want hands-on experience in schools before deciding whether to pursue teacher certification.

Other AmeriCorps & Service Year Options:

Reading Corps / Math Corps – intensive literacy or math intervention programs.
College access & success programs – advising and mentoring students on postsecondary pathways.
Local AmeriCorps placements – community-based education and youth development.

Teaching Residency & Fellowship Programs

Teaching residencies and fellowships offer additional pathways into the classroom, particularly for college graduates who did not complete a traditional teacher preparation program. Programs vary in structure, cost, compensation, and service commitments, but may provide hands-on classroom training, mentorship, financial support, and assistance earning certification or a master’s degree. Some participants train alongside experienced teachers before taking responsibility for their own classrooms, while others begin teaching while completing certification requirements.

Explore Teaching Residency & Fellowship Programs:

Students should review each program’s current eligibility requirements, certification options, costs, and financial support before applying. The CCPD can help students compare options and identify programs that align with their interests and goals.