Technology has impacted almost every aspect of life today, and education is no exception. Today, massive amounts of information (books, audio, images, videos) are available at one’s fingertips through the Internet. In the previous webinar “ Awakening your Passion Towards A Career in Education”, Miss Priya Vijayan from SEGi University provided students many insights about the 21st- century education industry and offered useful advice and experiences to empower the students to pursue their passion.

What does 21st-century education look like to you?

Fifteen years from now tablets will replace textbooks and set school hours will be a thing of the past.

Since the technology-based training is learner-centered education rather than relying on the teacher, there have been fundamental changes in the roles and responsibilities of teachers and the learning process.

The communication and interaction style have drastically changed between teachers and students as the utilization of the internet and tools reduces some limitations in the classroom.

Teachers need to embrace technology and use it to their advantage. Although technology can create blended learning environments and leverage digital tools for formative assessments, the presence of teachers make a huge difference in every student’s lives as they can understand students inter-personally and emotionally.

Education 4.0

The World Economic Forum reports that the 4th Industrial Revolution will cause 7 million job losses by 2020 – mostly admin and office jobs due to automation.

Technological advances will however also create 2 million new jobs in the fields of mathematics, computer science, architecture and engineering.

To build a sustainable Career in the 21st Century, no matter the job or occupation, individuals need not only academic, technical, and professional knowledge, but also a broad set of personal success competencies.

These are the capabilities that enable us to deal with the challenges, relationships, transitions, and social systems that make up working life.

In other words, the quality of being a teacher in today’s age does not only require high academic knowledge, but they also have to be familiar with various technical skills, and be willing to grow as well as adapt in the profession of education.

Choosing your University subjects or wondering how safe your job is?

Innovation experts just published a report which reveals the most in-demand jobs in 2030. Revealing the skills and experience recruiters will look for now – and in the future.

Considering factors such as automation, urbanization and an older population, it paints a picture of what the job market will look like in the next 10 years and beyond.

The impact on jobs will be that some skills will get laid off as they are taken over by machines, while demand for others rises.

The future workforce will need a wide knowledge base as well as specialist skills. That means we’ll need people to teach subjects such as English language, history and philosophy to prepare candidates for future jobs.

In recent research, Teachers and other public sector jobs fare well against the threat of automation. Robots can’t get their pincers around interpersonal skills just yet.

Personality Type

We develop certain preferences over a lifetime. Each person is different and unique just like fingerprints. Therefore, knowing your personal strengths will increase self-understanding and help you make a good career choice.

Four Dimensions of Personality Type

Extrovert or Introvert

How we interact with the world and where we place our energy

Sensing or Intuition

The kind of information we naturally notice and remember

Thinking or Feeling

How we make decisions

Judging or Perceptive

Whether we prefer to live in a structured or more spontaneous way

Knowing your personality traits help you to understand yourself and find yourself a job that is most suitable for you.

Extrovert

Teacher
Professor/ Educator
Customer service
Sales
Public relations
Human resources

Sensing

Teacher
Business executives
Accountants
Police and detectives
Judges
Lawyers
Computer programmers
Doctors

Intuitive

Teacher
Scientists
Engineers
Psychologists
Artists
Photographers
Actors
Writers

Judging

Teachers
Business executives
Accountants
Financial officers
Police and detectives
Lawyers
Computer programmers
Military leaders

Perceptive

Teachers
Pilots
Athletes
Paramedics
Police and detective
Forensic pathologists
Engineers
Scientists

Career as a Teacher: A Passion for Educating

What is being a teacher all about?

A teacher wears many “hats” !

Teachers often act as an 'imparter' of knowledge, communicator, leader, counselor and a life-long learner for every student, especially youngsters.

The characteristics of an educator in the 21st century

Why Become a Teacher?

One of the most interesting, challenging, and “noble professions” that exists.

No one has more potential for touching the personal, social, and intellectual lives of students than do caring and dedicated teachers.

Opportunity: Allows you to help people
Action: You are not tied to a desk all the time
Respect: You are an important part of the community
Security: Being a teacher allows you a good living with a secure future
Excitement: The job changes daily & is hardly ever boring
Mobility: You are in demand wherever you choose to live
Flexibility: Gives you many career options from the same education

Qualifying Degrees to become a Teacher

B.ED (Hons)
Teaching English as a Second Language(TESL)
Special Educational Needs(SNE)
Guidance and Counselling(G&C)
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECCE)

A bachelor’s degree in education is a professional degree that will prepare you for a job in the early childhood, primary or secondary school settings. Other areas of employment include children, family, youth services, training, social services, higher education, educational product development, instructional design and technology for education.

Possible Job Titles for This Career

Community Teacher
Early Childhood Teacher
Early Education Teacher
Elementary School Teacher
Kindergarten Teacher
Head Teacher/Administrator
Preschool Teacher
Child Care Facility Operator
Lecturer/Researcher
Early years Coordinator
Early intervention educator
Special needs educator
Community Advisor
Early Childhood Education Consultant
Programme Coordinator
Freelance tutor/educator
Online instructor
Editor/ Proofreader
Assist Researchers in Thesis Writing
Entrepreneur
Remedial educator

Work settings

school settings
special education facilities, schools and institutions for the mentally or developmentally challenged,
Highly specialised organisations
Trainer/ Facilitator
institutions of higher learning
community and vocational rehabilitation services

Q&A session with Ms Priya

What is the most challenging aspect as an educator?

As a teacher, we must constantly update our knowledge and skills. Being willing to adapt and improve ourselves is a great indicator to help prepare students with the career and technical skills they will need to be successful in today’s society and tomorrow’s workforce.

In your opinion, which is better between on-site or remote classrooms?

There are pros and cons when it comes to traditional and modern education. When you want to show something abstract and practical, it is always easier to demonstrate it in physical class. With technology and right devices, students can explore different types of learning examples or tips through virtual experiences. Especially during this pandemic period, the internet and technology can help teachers and students to connect to each other without physical classrooms.

At the end of the day, the key note is to balance the use of technology and teaching to enhance the quality of teaching for the students.

What made you decide to pursue an education career?

I enjoy teaching and interacting with children. In fact, there was still a lack of awareness for this profession. As someone who enjoyed spending time with children, I decided to pursue a Master Degree in Education. Till this day, I have no regrets being an educator.

What is the important aspect to be a good educator?

The interest or passion alone is not enough. You need to understand what strengths you have that you can hold as your advantage in the education industry.

In the process of educating them, you are also educating yourself.

They look up to teachers as their role models. Hence, you must present yourself as someone the children want to learn from.

Hope this article helps you learn more about Education courses and industry. If you are unsure of which courses is more suitable for you, you can discover your interest and potential with our psychometric test for free now!

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Information accurate at time of writing, March 2022