There are many rewarding careers out there, but working with children takes the cake, right? What could be better than teaching important values and shaping the next generation for success, all while playing with building blocks, and reading picture books? Careers with children are certainly worthwhile, but before you jump in, consider what each job involves.
Daycare Worker
If you love small children, you may be thinking about working in a daycare. You might even be thinking of starting your own. Remember, though, that the job involves more than just playing with children. You'll get spit on, and will have to change more diapers than you can count. If you don't get grossed out easily, great! If you do, you may want to consider working with older kids. Daycare also involves working closely with parents who may be overprotective or hard to work with. Consider all the scenarios you might face with this type of career before diving in.
Teacher
Probably the one of the first careers that comes to mind when thinking about working with children. Teaching could be a dream come true or your worst nightmare. Nothing feels better than watching a child read independently for the first time, but you'll have to study quite a bit before being in charge of a classroom. Most schools require teachers to have at least a bachelor's degree and valid teaching certification. Some prefer advanced degrees.
Houseparent
If you want to work with disadvantaged children, houseparenting may be for you. While this career has different names, the job is the same - houseparents act as surrogate parents for children who can't live at home. You'll get to be involved with almost every aspect of a child's life, and you can choose what kinds of children you want to work with. Keep in mind that these children have had rough lives. Can you handle working with kids that ditch school, use drugs, or have behavioral problems? Take into consideration what skills and attributes you will need to survive this tough job.
Neonatology
If you love babies, you might want to think about starting a career in neonatology, a specialized pediatric field that focuses on newborns, especially those that are premature or sick. This type of job often requires an advanced degree. The good news is that students can often get fellowships, such as the neonatology fellowship programs that are available to most students in Universities. Visit sites like RMUoHP.com that can help you find a career path that deals with infants.
There are pros and cons to choosing any career, but many professionals in the child care field would agree that deciding to work with kids was one of the best decisions they've ever made. Take time to look through your options for jobs and educations when thinking about your own.