The Top 5 Reasons to Work in a School

Working in a school comes with challenges, but it can also be one of the most satisfying employment experiences a person can have. Watching children learn and develop is inspirational. Being part of that growth is rewarding. School staff members have opportunities to build profound relationships with young people and provide help and guidance that not all children receive at home. They also have a schedule with time off for national holidays and vacation periods, which works well for parents with children who are in grade school.

Being Inspired

Watching children learn about unfamiliar topics and master new skills can reignite your own desire to learn. Student growth can remind you of how important education is and how amazing the human brain can be. By working in a school, you also have the opportunity to be an inspiration to young people. You can introduce students to subjects they would never have known about or been interested in. Consequently, you can influence their future studies or career paths.

Feeling Rewarded

Helping students reach their potential is highly rewarding because, in many cases, you play a significant role in their improvement. In a school, you can watch struggling students gradually become successful. Many children must overcome great obstacles. Playing a role in a young person's eventual success makes working in a school fulfilling. In fact, education and special education are now among the top 20 college majors that lead to satisfying careers, according to a PayScale College Salary report.

Building Relationships

Whether you are a teacher, secretary, nurse, custodian, chef or cafeteria server or an assistant or administrator, working in a school provides numerous opportunities throughout the day to interact with young people. Some children don't have the kind of attention at home that they need and deserve. Nurturing relationships with adults can serve as a foundation for a child's social and intellectual growth, according to T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., and Stanley I. Greenspan, M.D., in their Scholastic article, "Why Children Need Ongoing Nurturing Relationships." For children, communicating with adults in school may be a very important part of their lives. Consequently, your interaction with school children may play a big role in their development.

Focusing Outward

In today's world, many people lead busy, fast-paced lives. It is easy to become self-focused. A job in a school pushes you to focus outwardly and give energy to others, which can be invigorating and even relieving. In her "Psychology Today" article, "The Moment of Youth: How to Change a Teenager's Life," Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D., uses the term "other-focused" to explain that role models focus on others rather than primarily on themselves. Focusing on others allows you to step outside yourself and your own worries or problems to give to others. You have an opportunity to become a role model as an encouraging guide or leader, servicing and giving back to your community.

Spending Time With Family

School jobs, particularly teaching jobs, require a significant amount of work. While you may have to bring work home with you, you have a greater chance of being home in the afternoons with your children if they are on a similar schedule. You may also receive the same or similar vacations as your kids, especially if they are in the same school system. Week-long vacations and national holidays off are a perk. School staff members usually have some training seminars to attend during the summer, but employees generally have a lengthy summer break to spend time with their friends and families.