A Career in Teaching Social Studies
The Secondary Education Social Studies major will prepare students to teach social studies in secondary schools grades 7 to 12. As secondary school teachers, they will delve more deeply into subject matter introduced broadly during the elementary years. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, provides the following description of secondary teaching responsibilities: Teachers prepare presentations and must adapt to individual student needs; they assign readings in textbooks; use exercises to develop skill proficiency; listen to oral presentations; assess students’ progress; they also must provide discipline and maintain an environment conducive to learning; they work closely with students, parents and other teachers and counselors; they may oversee study halls and homerooms; and supervise extracurricular activities.
Job Outlook
The job market for teachers varies by geographic area and by subject specialty. Many inner cities and rural areas have difficulty attracting enough teachers, so job opportunities are better in these areas than they are in suburban areas. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for secondary teachers is expected to be excellent through 2010. Enrollment of secondary school students is expected to grow throughout most of the projected period. Competition for positions is expected to be high.
Related Job Opportunities
Secondary Education Social Studies students should graduate with organizational, administrative, and communications abilities and an excellent background in the social studies. Other career areas requiring these skills include: public relations, sales, social work, employee training and development, social service, and employment counseling.