Education Professions
Have you ever thought: I want to make a difference by serving others and solving complex issues; I enjoy tutoring, teaching, and/or working with kids; I want to influence education on a large scale?
Even if you're not sure if teaching is right for you, you may want to explore the Careers in Education Professions program (Ed Pros) which prepares 2nd – 4th year students for careers in the diverse and fast-changing education sector. Launched in 2012, the program seeks to continue the University's legacy as a "teacher of teachers" and support students who are considering careers in education. Each spring, the program invites and selects a cohort of students to engage in specialized preparation to pursue one of many pathways. They include: careers in education policy, research, teaching, and various roles in education technology, non-profit management, and corporate settings.
Sign up for the Careers in Education Professions e-mail listhost
One-on-One Advising
Ed Pros cohort members meet with the program director for one-on-one career advising every quarter beginning in their 2nd Year. This student-centered approach offers students personalized assistance in career exploration and skill development to land internships, full-time jobs, and graduate school acceptances.
Education Professions Applications
Selective Cohort Application
The Careers in Education Professions selective program called EdPros, accepts applications from prospective candidates during the spring quarter of their 1st Year. Applications for this three-year program are reviewed and selections are announced before the start of the fall quarter. New cohort members are welcomed to the Careers in Education Professions community in the Fall of their 2nd Year and do not need to reapply to remain members in future years.
Application materials and requirements are announced via Handshake at the start of the spring quarter. Successful candidates demonstrate their willingness to explore the education space.
EdPros benefits include:
Dedicated Advising for Internships and Career Planning
Support with Internship/ Full-time Application Materials; Letters of Recommendation/References
Informational Interviewing
Grad and Post-Grad Prep
Treks/ Conferences
Speaker Events/ Quarterly Meetings/Community Dinners
Build Community with fellow EdPros Members at UChicago, Amherst, and Grinnell
If you are not a 1st year student but are interested in learning about the program and possibly committing to it, please contact Liz Schutz at lizschutz@uchicago.edu to discuss your interests.
Lead by Learning (LxL)
An Ed Pros Introductory Program
Lead by Learning (LxL) is a non-selective track with an emphasis on first-year students, but open to all students, that serves as an onboarding ramp for students interested in making an impact in the education profession as future Ed Pros members.
LxL is an inclusive community that introduces new students to the variety of educational resources and departments on campus as well as an inside look into the rich history of education in Chicago and key players in Chicago’s education exoskeleton. LxL will also provide tailored support to students through a combination of individualized student advising, small group career exploration community gatherings, professional development opportunities, and invitations to select Ed Pros specific programming.
Students who complete 2 advising sessions and attend a minimum of 2 LxL events during the fall and winter quarter, will be eligible for fast-track admission to the selective Ed Pros cohort during the spring quarter application cycle. For more information on how to get involved with LxL, please reach out to Liz Schutz at lizschutz@uchicago.edu
If you are a student or alum looking for resources and opportunities for building a career in education, please visit the Additional Resources page. Resources include listings and links to:
Teacher placement and residency programs
Policy, research, administration, and consulting organizations
Education related University partners including: registered student organizations (RSOs), the Neighborhood Schools Program (NSP), the Committee on Education, and the Urban Education Institute (UEI).
Graduate schools, scholarships, and other general resources.
EdPros Program Overview
Workshops & Guest Speakers
Careers in Education Professions workshops are held at least three times per academic term and cover a wide variety of current topics and issues in the field of education. Events include talks with leaders, policymakers, and experts in the fields of education.
Treks
Careers in Education Professions offers site visits to many different education organizations including public and private teaching environments, policy think tanks, research institutes, advocacy groups, and non-profits working in education. The treks take the cohort throughout Chicago and to cities like New York, Washington D.C., and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Internship Opportunities
Careers in Education Professions is committed to offering students valuable internship opportunities across the country. Education organizations that have previously hosted UChicago students for internships include: Chicago Public Schools, Advance Illinois, DC Public Schools, NYC Department of Education, Urban Education Institute, University of Chicago Urban Education Lab, and City Year, among many others.
Coursework
Many cohort participants supplement their experiential learning through courses in the Education and Society minor. In this classes, students explore how people learn and teach amid the complex relationships forged in diverse communities. The minor spans a broad array of course listings reflecting education’s interdisciplinary field and its myriad contexts including: the schoolhouse, the family, communities, workplaces, and political arenas. Learn more here.
Mentorship Opportunities with University of Chicago Alumni, Faculty and Staff
Careers in Education Professions also supports students by connecting them with alumni, faculty, and staff in the field who can offer their expertise to students about preparing for a career in education professions and applying to graduate programs. UChicago alumni host treks, hire interns, and serve as wonderful mentors to help students understand career trajectories and the numerous ways to serve in education.
Collaborations with Amherst College and Grinnell College
The University of Chicago has developed a partnership with Amherst College and Grinnell College in order to promote this model of undergraduate education preparation across the country. Collaborative conferences and seminars bring students from these three institutions together to discuss ideas, their particular contexts, and the evolving landscape of education.
Gap Year Support
Careers in Education Professions supports students who choose to take time between college and their graduate programs in several ways. Students have pursued opportunities related to education including Teach for America or prestigious scholarships. They have researched and held fellowships with think tanks, research organizations, governmental agencies, as well as a Fulbright in Argentina and Post-Bachelor Fellowship at Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Get Involved and Learn More
If you are a current student or alum looking for resources and opportunities for building a career in education, please visit the Additional Resources page. Resources include listings and links to:
Teacher placement and residency programs
Policy, research, administration, and consulting organizations
Education related University partners including: registered student organizations (RSOs), the Neighborhood Schools Program (NSP), the Committee on Education, and the Urban Education Institute (UEI).
Graduate schools, scholarships, and other general resources.
For tailored support and additional questions, please feel free to contact the Careers in Education Professions program director Liz Schutz at lizschutz@uchicago.edu.
Support the Program
Careers in Education Professions could not succeed without the support of alumni and experienced professionals. If you are an employer, alumnus, or practitioner in the education industry, please consider getting involved in panels, treks, hosting an intern, or donate to the program. If you are interested in any of these opportunities or have ideas of your own, contact Liz Schutz at lizschutz@uchicago.edu.