A teacher stands in front of a white board with students at table in background

Considering a career change from teaching?

UQ offers the path to alternative careers in education

Careers

Published 31 Mar, 2025 · 5-minute read

Are you ready to extend your skills beyond the classroom and discover exciting alternative careers for educators?

There are limitless opportunities for employment in educational environments ranging from leadership roles like principals and vice-principals, to career counsellors, inclusion specialists, education advisors or consultants, and even curriculum designers, which are all within your reach.

You may be asking yourself how to transition from teaching to another career? The answer is simple – choose to study UQ’s Master of Educational Studies. It can open up a whole range of new career opportunities, including the chance to travel abroad, immerse yourself in new cultures and work in different contexts.

So, pivot your thinking and discover 5 non-teaching education careers that might be the next step in your professional career.

Describing UQ as one of the best universities to study education isn’t just our opinion; it’s a fact. UQ is ranked #1 in Queensland and #41 in the world for education (QS World University Rankings 2025). Classes are taught by experts in their fields, whose advice is sought by policy makers, school leaders and teachers around the globe.

Leadership careers for educators

If you're passionate about leadership in education, opportunities extend beyond traditional school roles like principal or deputy-principal. You may consider positions in corporate educational settings as well, where you can shape organisational vision, implement innovative learning solutions, and create environments that foster excellence.

If you choose to pursue a leadership role in an academic environment, you can use your skills in leadership, management, and administration to oversee school operations, support teachers, and ensure a productive learning environment.

Regardless of whether you choose to progress your education career into leadership in an academic environment or corporate training department, you’ll have the opportunity to drive educational outcomes, develop talent, and create cultures of continuous improvement.

Explore the Leadership field of study in UQ’s Master of Educational Studies to find out more.

Career counsellor

Are you looking for a role where no 2 days are the same? Do you want to make a meaningful impact on young people's lives and help shape their futures in positive ways?

A career counsellor plays a crucial role in supporting students' academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. Working closely with teachers, parents, and other professionals, they aim to create a positive and inclusive school environment where all students can thrive.

Explore the Guidance Counselling and Careers field of study in UQ’s Master of Educational Studies to find out more.

A counsellor sits on a red lounge with a student

Inclusion specialists

Being a leader in inclusive education is a great way to stay in the education sector while focusing on supporting diverse learners.

Inclusion specialists support schools in implementing inclusive practices. As teacher leaders, they work with school staff to provide adjustments for students with diverse needs. They guide schools’ administrative requirements of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data and coordinate the development of personalised learning plans for students.

Being a leader in inclusive education helps ensure that every child has the chance to succeed and reach their full potential.

Explore the Inclusive Education field of study in UQ’s Master of Educational Studies to find out more.

Educational advisors and consultants

Educational advisors and consultants work with schools, educational organisations, or government bodies to improve educational practices, support student behaviour, develop curriculum, and implement new teaching strategies. They evaluate existing programs, recommend evidence-based improvements, and help implement changes in curriculum, teaching and assessment, as well as student behaviour and engagement.

Using specialised expertise, consultants deliver valuable external perspective to drive meaningful educational advancement while ensuring stakeholders can sustain improvements long-term. This role leverages your teaching experience to impact education on a broader scale by providing expert advice and support to improve educational outcomes.

At UQ, you can undertake postgraduate studies to assist with a career move to become a behaviour advisor. Explore the Behaviour Support field of study in the Master of Educational Studies to find out more.

Meet Susan

Susan Garson is the Director of the Centre for School-Wide Pedagogy at Brisbane Grammar School and a UQ Master of Educational Studies graduate.

Susan’s role involves oversight and embedding of the school’s bespoke framework, supporting teachers in their delivery of quality teaching and learning across disciplines.

“I also co-ordinate the pre-service teacher program and a subject for all Year 7 students called Philosophy of Learning,” says Susan.

Prior to this role, Susan was the Director of International Studies, leading a team of language teachers in German, Japanese, Chinese, French and Latin.

“This involved oversight of pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and reporting as well as the co-ordination of the Affiliate Schools Program to 4 countries.”

After graduating with a UQ Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education (Secondary) degree, Susan worked as a German and History teacher at a range of government and independent schools in Southeast Queensland before undertaking her Master of Educational Studies and expanding her career beyond the classroom.

Like Susan, you too can access a range of fascinating and fulfilling career opportunities beyond being a teacher, and postgraduate study can help you get there.

Curriculum designer

As a curriculum developer, you'll design educational programs that integrate technology with proven teaching methods. You'll also create engaging instructional materials for teaching diverse classrooms while providing implementation support to educators.

This role combines subject expertise, instructional design, and educational technology to develop curriculum that engages students and achieves measurable learning outcomes.

A curriculum designer creates lesson plans, textbooks, and other instructional resources to enhance student learning. You’ll also collaborate with teachers and provide guidance and support to them on how to effectively implement the curriculum and benefit from the instructional materials.

By creating engaging and effective teaching and learning materials, you’ll be contributing to crafting a high-quality education that meets students’ needs and prepares them for future success.

Explore the Curriculum field of study in UQ’s Master of Educational Studies to find out more.

So why choose UQ’s Master of Educational Studies to prepare you for your next career move? It will strengthen your leadership skills in an area of education that you’re passionate about and allow you to pivot to new roles.

You can specialise in one of 7 different fields of study, including: