Education consultants are hired by schools or universities to provide assistance in addressing specific issues, suggesting improvements, making innovative changes, or providing specific training for staff. They usually work temporarily with one school and then move on to the next. Government educational consultants often collect and evaluate data to advise managers. They can assess resources, suggest alternative sources, and present the possible outcomes of new or existing programs related to government work and business.
In general, educational consultants act as advisors. They review how teachers and districts carry out their educational processes, and then make recommendations for better ways to accomplish those tasks. Or they could do a broader review, looking for problems across the spectrum to find issues that current administrators hadn't even detected yet. They can create long-term strategic plans to modify the course of a district or modify curriculum standards.
If educational consultants choose to work independently, they must be certified to demonstrate their competence and value. Independent educational consultants focus on college admissions and help students prepare for college transition. They generally work under the IECA and are members of the HECA. With an increasing emphasis on academic performance, test scores, and preparation for graduate study, it's an exciting time for a career in educational consulting. Design and administer higher education and professional development programs for K-12 faculty in colleges and colleges.
Education consultants can offer general inquiries about educational practices, but most achieve success by focusing on a particular specialty. Any type of homework required in the modern school system or in the classroom could be the subject of consultation for the right person. The IECA requires a master's degree or higher from an accredited institution, three years of experience in educational placement counseling or admissions, on-campus evaluations, and professional referrals from its members. As an education consultant, you will work to become an expert in your field and then use that experience to help others in the field improve their performance as educators. Education consultants need good problem-solving skills in order to assess challenges and present possible solutions to improve education. Although you may be able to develop a career without a master's degree, educational consultants with a master's degree in a relevant field have a better chance of promotions and salary increases. For some educational consultants, clients are parents and students thinking about post-high school education options. Attend conferences offered by organizations to expand their network and learn about best practices or new ideas in education.
Consider pursuing a master's or doctorate degree in education, a field related to your desired specialty, or a similar area. Teachers and other professionals interested in describing the educational consultant position and looking to advance their careers in this field should consider an advanced degree, such as an online Master of Science in Education. A third type of educational consultant works on projects for textbook publishers, learning companies and educational technology companies. Most educational consultants work for school districts or universities, but some can be hired directly by families. If you want to be taken seriously and succeed as an educational consultant, you'll need a few steps to get into business.
