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First, some facts. Of the Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language 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 54 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 53% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Oklahoma Christian University with a Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONOnline Adjunct Professor and Course Developer Oklahoma Christian University Nov 2021 - Present Adjunct Assistant Professor Johnson County Community College Aug 2017 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Education (M.Ed.)University of Missouri-Columbia 2015 - 2017 ABOUTInnovative professor and curriculum developer. Encourages student engagement by creating accessible and multimodal curriculum for adult learners in online and traditional face-to-face courses. Incites a welcoming learning environment by attentively assessing and meeting student needs to promote life-long learning and student success. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The data gathered from analyzing various LinkedIn profiles reveals a wide array of jobs undertaken by individuals who graduated with degrees in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESOL). A significant trend is visible in the types of roles these graduates have pursued. The most common positions are related to teaching English, such as English Second Language (ESL) teachers, tutors, and writing instructors. These roles strongly correlate with the qualifications obtained through their degrees, allowing graduates to apply their specialized skills in real-world settings.
Many of the surveyed individuals have transitioned into teaching-focused positions that directly utilize the methodologies and theories learned during their studies. For instance, numerous graduates have secured roles as ESL teachers at various educational institutions, which inherently demand the expertise in language instruction they have acquired. Additionally, positions such as Writing Support Coordinators, Undergraduate Writing Instructors, and Camp Educators often require a background in educational techniques and language facilitation, reflecting the relevance of their degrees. However, it’s also noticeable that several graduates ventured into less relevant careers, including administrative roles and positions that do not utilize their language teaching skills effectively.
The analysis highlights a stark contrast between jobs that align with their educational background and those that do not. While many graduates hold positions directly linked to teaching English or language arts, a fair share has opted for roles outside their field, such as administrative assistants or financial coordinators, which leverage different skill sets unrelated to TESOL. This reflects a trend where graduates may not always find roles specifically tailored to their degree, leading to a diverse array of job roles that may or may not utilize their specialized training. Overall, while many graduates remain in education and teaching roles aligned with their studies, a considerable number have strayed into unrelated fields, indicating that having a TESOL degree does not confine them to a single career path.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language graduates:
When we look at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language, there’s quite a mixed bag here. A few things stand out when examining their first jobs out of college, their paths after five years, and their career directions after ten years. Many graduates seem to jump right into teaching positions, which is totally inline with what they studied. For instance, a lot of them start as English teachers, ESL instructors, or tutors right after graduation, landing roles that are directly related to their degrees. However, as we look at longer-term career paths, it's clear that not everyone sticks to teaching.
After about five years, some grads remain in the teaching sector, and they’re often moving up in their careers—whether that’s taking on advanced roles like lead teacher or department head or shifting their skills into related areas such as educational consulting or curriculum design. For example, one grad who started as an ESL instructor became a Principal in an educational organization, showcasing a solid upward trajectory. However, a fair number of graduates have also taken entirely different routes unrelated to education. We see several folks venturing into administrative roles, customer service, and even project management, which suggests that while their initial passion might have been teaching, life's twists sometimes take them in alternate directions.
Now, when we reach the ten-year mark, the picture gets even more varied. Some grads are still active in education—many have moved on to roles as school administrators or specialized instructors in advanced programs—but others have completely pivoted into fields like HR, marketing, or even finance, which seem worlds apart from the classrooms they once knew. This indicates a level of versatility in their skill sets but also raises questions about job satisfaction and how many were able to continue pursuing what they initially set out to do. In summary, while many graduates enjoy fulfilling teaching roles after graduation, there’s a noticeable trend of diversifying into other career paths that may or may not align with their original studies in teaching English.
Honestly, a Bachelor's degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language can be pretty manageable, especially if you enjoy languages and teaching. It's not usually as intense as some other degrees in the sciences or engineering, but it still requires a solid understanding of language structure, teaching methods, and cultural sensitivity. You’ll definitely have to put in some effort, especially when it comes to lesson planning and practical teaching experiences, but if you're into it, the workload feels less like a grind and more like a fun challenge. Overall, I'd say it's on the easier side compared to some other programs, but that doesn't mean you can slack off—passion and dedication still go a long way!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language.
Looking at the job histories of these Teaching English graduates, it really seems like their earnings vary quite a bit. Some people, like the graduate from California State University-Sacramento who is now a principal, probably make a decent salary, considering that principals typically earn more than teachers. However, others are doing part-time teaching or tutoring jobs, which might not pay a whole lot. The recent grads working in roles like tutors or educational support staff may also be on the lower end of the pay scale. So, it's kind of mixed—there are a few who are well on their way to decent salaries, but a lot seem to be in jobs that might not lead to big bucks right away.
Overall, if you're thinking about a career in education, it’s definitely important to look at what roles might bring in better pay. If you stick with it and gain experience, you could see your earnings increase over time, but starting off, many seem to be earning just okay or even below average for the effort they put in. It’s kind of like climbing a hill—might take some time and effort to reach a better view (or paycheck) at the top!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (ordered by the average relevance score of their Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: