Education
Education graduates have skills transferable to areas such as social services or learning and development in the education sector and beyond.
Education students develop flexible thinking, research, and communication skills as well as knowledge of the education system. They focus on educational policy, educational philosophy and history, youth studies, human development, early childhood, and Māori and Pacific education. The interdisciplinary nature of Education means graduates are adaptable with skills transferable to many areas in and beyond the education sector.
Roles and career pathways
Education graduates may work in a wide range of roles such as training and development advisers, educational resource developers, career consultants, human resource advisers, recruitment consultants (especially in education), and as policy analysts and researchers. In non-profit organisations, graduates could be learning advisers, youth support coordinators, community service managers, or advocates.
For careers in policy and research some study at postgraduate level can be valuable. Complementary study in Commerce, Law, Science, or Social Sciences can broaden the roles that graduates move into.
First roles after completing an undergraduate degree in Education may be in administration or coordination, graduate policy, or general advisory or project roles. Contact centre or client services roles can also be a pathway to a range of organisations.
Education graduates may go on to complete a further teaching qualification at postgraduate level in early childhood or primary teaching. To enter secondary teaching, students must have studied two teaching subjects, for example te Reo Māori or Mathematics. See Teaching for more information.
Where Education graduates work
Education graduates may work for government or non-governmental organisations, community service providers, recruitment agencies, management consultancies, education providers, or educational resource developers. Recent graduates have worked in organisations such as:
- Ministry of Education
- Education Review Office
- Teaching Council Matatū Aotearoa
- Tertiary Education Commission (TEC)
Build relevant skills and experience
Internships, part-time work, and volunteering all help to provide experience and increase career options for graduates. Programmes such as Wellington Plus, Wellington International Leadership Programme (WILP), and the WFHSS Internship course help students from all disciplines develop leadership skills, employability, or practical workplace experience. The Tupu Tai Public Sector internship programme supports Pasifika students to explore policy career pathways within the public sector, and there are other government internship programmes available in a range of ministries.
If you are looking at undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate teaching qualification, attributes such as self-awareness, a passion for learning, appreciation of cultural difference, integrity, and aptitude for working with others are desirable. There are many ways these skills can be developed in the workplace while studying. Working as a teacher aide, as a childcare or school holiday programme assistant, in community work, or youth work are ways to gain experience working directly with people, particularly children, young people, and their families.
Make career connections
Networking and making connections with individuals and groups while you study can help you learn more about career opportunities. Professional associations such as Institute of Public Administrators New Zealand (IPANZ) New Professionals, Wellington Young Professionals, and university clubs, and mentoring programmes such as Victoria University of Wellington's Alumni as Mentors programme for final-year students, can all enhance your connections and employability.
If you are considering undertaking a teaching qualification in early childhood, primary, or secondary teaching, making connections with early childhood education providers, schools, and other places of learning while you study can help your learn more about the skills you need to develop as a teacher and help you to apply for postgraduate teaching programmes. The Wellington Faculty of Education and Teach NZ can give you more information on how to go about this.
Graduate career stories
Jacob Waitere
Work experience in a hall of residence and skills honed from English Literature and Education studies gave Jacob a solid foundation for leadership roles.