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Career and Job Search Guide
  

Curriculum / Training Specialist

Curriculum Training Specialist Curriculum specialists work in schools systems and are responsible for selecting textbooks, determining curriculum and training teachers while helping to motivate them to embrace (or support) the government's edicts du jour. Curriculum specialists will also often evaluate the results of their efforts by examining the progress of both students and teachers.

In the private sector, training specialists are assigned by upper management to develop or choose employee training programs, recruit instructors, teach workshops, and evaluate the overall results of corporate training efforts. Today, a growing number of training specialists are being tasked with the responsibility of developing online training programs and using training simulations as a primary instruction vehicle for employees, executives, managers, and staff members.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this educational career track is that you avoid man of teaching's in-the-trenches frustrations yet reap the rewards many educators receive, such as being able to help people grow. As you're constantly reviewing and evaluating curriculum and instructional materials you're also constantly learning new things.

With the work rewarding and not unduly stressful and the job market strong, and with school-system-based jobs offering top job security and the summers off, curriculum/training specialist can look forward to an exciting and fun career in education.

Job Outlook

According to a report provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment growth rate of curriculum specialists' job is expected to grow rapidly through the year 2016. Increased school system spending is likely, even in a slow economy, leading to high demand for curriculum specialists. Few politicians dare oppose new investment in education, even though the United States already spends more money on education in real dollars and even as a percentage of gross domestic product than any other G-8 country. (Notwithstanding, American students still score below average when compared with students of other G-8 nations.)

Many curriculum specialists launch their career as school teachers. Spending a few years teaching and/or gaining useful experience as a principal or the assistant principal may help you on your career path to becoming a curriculum specialist. Earning a bachelor's degree is also very useful asset for aspiring curriculum and trainign specialists.

Salary Data

With a few years of experience under the belt, the career of curriculum specialist can earn an annual salary of $55,100. Depending on your experience and skills, the salary of experienced training specialists ranges between $45,800 and $76,100 a year.

Training

To work in a school system, potential candidates should begin with a teaching job, and then, if the opportunity presents itself, work as a principal or assistant principal. To work as a training specialist for a corporation, a candidate should earn a bachelor's degree in an applicable field since there are usually many entry-level positions available for college graduates. Teaching experience can be useful for potential candidates seeking positions as either curriculum or training specialists.

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