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First, some facts. Of the Early Childhood Education and Teaching graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 936 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 78%, Early Childhood Education and Teaching graduates have a much higher likelihood (+11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 35% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), which is right in line with the average across all fields.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 98% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from Arkansas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONCashier Dick's Sporting Goods Feb 2012 - Jul 2012 Preschool Teacher  Preschool Extraordinaire Aug 2012 - May 2013 Substitute Teacher SubteachUSA Aug 2013 - Present Teacher County Line Schools Jun 2015 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After reviewing a wide range of job profiles from individuals who graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching, it’s clear that there are quite a few common roles they have pursued. The most prevalent positions include various teaching roles, especially in elementary and preschool settings. Many listed their current or previous jobs as elementary school teachers, preschool teachers, and special education teachers, which align closely with the skills and knowledge acquired during their studies. These positions are directly relevant to early childhood education because they involve applying developmental theories and pedagogical practices to support young students' learning and growth.
However, alongside these teaching roles, a significant number of graduates have taken on jobs that do not directly correlate with their education in early childhood. Positions like administrative assistants, sales associates, and various management roles in unrelated industries are also quite frequent. These positions often lack the specific focus on teaching or child development that framework their degrees emphasize. Furthermore, while some roles, such as customer service and management positions, may draw on transferable skills like communication and organization, they do not utilize the core knowledge from early childhood education.
Overall, while many individuals with a degree in Early Childhood Education remain in relevant teaching or educational roles, there is also a notable trend of graduates shifting to unrelated fields. This suggests a potential gap between education and job placements that leverage their specific training. It opens up the discussion for the need to better align early childhood education programs with practical application in various teaching environments or to support graduates in finding roles that are directly suited to their specialized expertise.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Early Childhood Education and Teaching graduates:
Analyzing the career trajectories of individuals with degrees in Early Childhood Education and Teaching reveals a diverse landscape of paths. For many graduates, the typical first job right after graduation often aligns closely with their educational training, frequently landing roles as preschool teachers or kindergarten educators. Positions such as "Lead Teacher," "Pre-K Teacher," and "Kindergarten Teacher" appear prominently, especially within the first few years following graduation. This alignment indicates that many graduates are indeed channeling their education directly into their initial career steps, contributing to sectors that are specifically tailored to early childhood development and education.
However, as we look further out—say five to ten years into their careers—a more varied picture emerges. While a significant number of graduates maintain their foothold within educational roles, others transition into different professions that are not directly related to early childhood education. Some individuals may take on administrative or managerial positions, like "Center Director" or "Program Coordinator," showing a shift into leadership within educational settings. Others pivot entirely, moving into roles such as sales representatives, counselors, or corporate positions, which may utilize their skills in communication, management, and interpersonal relations but stray from the core education focus. Notably, certain graduates have successfully built careers within sectors demanding transferable skills learned during their education studies, such as training and instructional design, or even entrepreneurship.
This examination highlights a common theme among those who study Early Childhood Education: the passion for working with children often translates into meaningful educational roles shortly after graduation. Yet the longer-term outlook suggests a malleability with careers, where initial interests may evolve. For some, this variability in career paths might be seen as a success in adaptability to various job markets while for others, it may reflect the difficulties of remaining in a sector that can sometimes offer limited growth opportunities. Overall, the pathways of Early Childhood Education graduates showcase both the fulfillment of working in educational roles and the potential diversions into broader professional arenas over time.
A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, if you have a passion for working with kids and are ready to dive into things like child development theories, teaching methods, and lesson planning, you might find it pretty manageable and even enjoyable. It’s definitely not the hardest degree out there—many of the courses focus on hands-on learning and real-world applications, which can make it feel more engaging. However, there are some challenging aspects, like juggling coursework, internships, and understanding various educational philosophies. Overall, if you're someone who loves being around children and is willing to put in the effort, you’ll probably find it to be on the easier side compared to more technical degrees. Just remember, every degree has its tough spots, but with the right mindset, you can get through it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
When looking at these graduates' career paths, it seems like some have found ways to earn decent money, while others appear to be in more modest financial situations. For instance, those who have transitioned into roles like Chief Marketing Officer or client success positions might be pulling in a pretty nice salary, especially considering their experience and responsibilities. On the flip side, many graduates remain in traditional teaching or early childhood education roles, which often don't pay as much. While some teachers can make a stable living, the general consensus is that positions in early childhood education tend to offer lower salaries compared to other sectors.
Overall, you can see a mix of success and struggle among these early childhood education graduates. A few have climbed the ladder into management or administrative roles that likely come with better pay, while others have stayed within the classroom where salaries can be limited. If you're considering this field, it’s important to think about where you see yourself in the long run and whether you're okay with the typical compensation, or if you’re looking for something with higher earning potential.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching (ordered by the average relevance score of their Early Childhood Education and Teaching graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Kennesaw State University
|
86 | 10 |
 The University of Georgia
|
81 | 12 |
 Miami University
|
78 | 16 |
 University of Cincinnati
|
77 | 10 |
 Kent State University
|
75 | 13 |
 Ashford University
|
59 | 39 |