Education is the key to the growth of any country. Many times, education specialists have stated that if any person considers education to be expensive or costly, he or she should instead try ignorance, and it will cost him or her twice as much. For this reason, in almost every country the government takes it upon itself to ensure that there are enough educational facilities, and that attendance is mandatory for every child. The importance of education cannot be overemphasized. The people responsible for imparting knowledge in the form of formal education therefore play a key role in the development of the education sector, and the growth of the country in general. More than with any other field, positions in education must be held by competent people. These people must be qualified and certified as such. This is because educational fields, as mentioned before, influence all other sectors.
Education administrators are the people responsible for imparting knowledge about education to other people. It is through their instruction and direction that educational programs in both early schooling as well as with institutions of higher learning are able to run smoothly. Education administrator jobs are can be challenging as they involve dealing with different types of people. The two major groups that people in these administrative positions deal with are students and their parents. The ability to handle these two groups successfully ensures that their needs and are met. The administrator must be careful in maintaining student discipline while guaranteeing their individual rights.
A single educational administrator can lead an institution, depending on its size. A larger institution, especially an institution of higher learning, will have more than one educational administrator due to the diversity of the educational departments which are present. Educational administrators’ jobs are quite challenging, mainly due to the sensitive nature of the job and the diversity of the people with whom an educational administrator deals. Educational administrators are given different titles depending on the institution they head. For instance, those that hold the most senior position in a junior high or high school are given the title of principal, while those that head higher institutions of learning are known as chancellors, deans, presidents, and other labels.
Besides imparting basic educational knowledge, educational administrators are also responsible for emotionally and ethically developing the students in their care. This they do by ensuring that they impart in them discipline and strengthening morally acceptable behavior in them. In essence, they mold the young minds in to become responsible and successful members of society.
Working Conditions and the General Work Environment
Besides teaching and offering educational training, the educational administrator’s job also involves leadership. They are required to direct their institutions, and to represent them in all forums where their presence and participation is required. Much pressure and stress is associated with the job. Professionalism must constantly be exhibited in this career field, as well as an ability to handle situations professionally and calmly. On average, educational administrators work for over 40 hours per week due to the supervisory role that they play, in addition to their other already discussed roles. Most people who have taken up jobs in administration, however, do not mind working for long hours during the week, because most educational institutions provide significant vacation time.
Training Qualifications and Certifications
The starting point for most people who later become administrators is to be a teacher. The first qualification, therefore, is that one must have received ample training in education through college coursework, and additionally, a master’s degree or higher is also often required. From the initial position of teacher, one rises through the ranks to be able to hold a position as an education administrator. In most countries, people who have taken up education administrator jobs are required to be licensed as proof that they are qualified to hold such positions. In order to be awarded this license, it is required that one should have successfully earned a masters degree (or beyond) in education, or a graduate degree in an education-related field. Experience also works to the advantage of anybody seeking jobs in administration.
Earnings
It goes without saying that education, having been classified as a basic need in the world today, is one of the widest career fields that exists. As a matter of fact, it is on the list of the top five broadest career fields worldwide. It provides a high number of jobs annually, with the number on average currently standing at about half a million jobs in the United States alone. On average, educational administrators earn a salary which ranges from $67,000 to $92,000. The variation in compensation occurs due to the various positions that a particular administrator can hold, and also the particular institution of learning in which the administrator works. Educational administrators also enjoy great benefits.
Job Prospects
The educational field has been growing over the years and is expected to continue growing. More than ever before, people have realized the need for having a good education, and therefore new education administrator’s jobs appear everyday. The field of education holds various opportunities, but extreme competence is required to secure an education administrator’s job.
