Being an economics educator is a highly rewarding job. You’ll train students in a wide range of economic topics, from simple things like supply and demand to more advanced economic theories. You can teach everywhere from secondary school to universities, so there’s a wide range of career paths to choose from. Overall, teaching is known to be one of the world’s most rewarding jobs – if you’re interested, here’s a guide to becoming an economics educator.
Step 1: Study a Bachelor of Economics
Before you can start teaching economics, you’ll need to learn the topic yourself. You’ll need to earn your bachelor’s in economics to be able to teach it at the secondary education level. A bachelor’s in economics covers subjects like microeconomics and macroeconomics, financial management, and other advanced theories. On occasion, some universities will combine this course with some classes in education that focus on topics like technology in the classroom, teaching methods, and classroom management.
These university courses involve a lot of advanced math, so studying hard in that school subject before you reach university is a must. You can also start off a bit easier before diving into a whole bachelor’s by studying an online courses in economics. You might even end up teaching these courses one day!
Step 2: Get Your Teaching Qualification
Once you’ve got the necessary knowledge to teach the subject, the next step towards a career as an economics educator is to get your teaching qualification. Not everyone can jump into teaching right away – it’s a complex field filled with advanced theories of its own. Depending on what level you want to teach at and where you live, exactly what teaching qualification you’ll need can differ.
If you want to teach at the secondary level in the UK or Australia, you’ll need to get a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to be able to teach. These post graduate certificates offer the basic and foundational knowledge you’ll need to become an effective educator. You’ll also need to obtain a teaching licence to legally be able to teach in your state or county. Afterwards, you’ll be set to become an economics educator at the secondary school level, from years 7 through to 11.
Step 3: Earn Your Master’s Degree
If you’re setting your sights on a career as an economics educator at a university, you’ve got a bit more studying to do. Undertaking a master’s degree will allow you to teach economics at the university level. These advanced post graduate degrees hone your economic knowledge, and usually take 2 years to complete. Afterwards, you’ll be equipped with the extensive knowledge required of a university teacher. Being an educator at university is very rewarding, as most students are engaged in the subject and are there to learn.
Also available are the Master of Teaching or Master of Education, which will teach you more about the advanced theories that make up the education field. This will also allow you to teach at a university.
Step 4: Continue to Advance your Career
Finally, once you’ve become an economics educator, you can set your sights on advancing your career. There’s a wide variety of different paths available across all levels of education. If you’re teaching it at the secondary level, with experience you can eventually become a leader of teachers who are new in the school. Afterwards, you can progress through the school hierarchy towards different positions, such as guidance counsellor, deputy headteacher, or headteacher.
There are also plenty of teaching opportunities at TAFE institutions as well. Certificates and Diplomas of economics offered by education institutions will always need knowledgeable teachers to work for them.
As we mentioned above, with a master’s degree you’ll be qualified to work at the university level. This career path also provides plenty of room to grow, develop, and advance in your roles. Starting out as a tutor to an economics course, with experience you can progress all the way up to the level of a course convener, in charge of the entire host of undergraduates. Afterwards, you can continue to progress through the university, becoming a professor with a PhD and getting a chance to become the whole head of a department.
About the author
Rebecca Lee
Rebecca is the Content Manager at Extras, a freelance writer, and an avid reader of self-help books with a focus on finance. A big believer in taking action, she wastes no time tackling obstacles that lie ahead. When it comes to her endeavors in business and entrepreneurship, she'd rather be stuck with oh well than what if.