Is Teaching a Good Career? 8 Benefits You Need to Consider

*Updated September 22, 2025

Teaching is a career that truly makes a difference, shaping young minds and changing the world one student at a time. With the continued issue of teacher shortage across the nation, there is a great need for qualified teachers. The good news is that there are also more opportunities than ever before to enter a career as an educator. Whether you’re considering Alternative Certification, want to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE), or are looking to advance your degree with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), each path offers unique benefits.

Why Teaching Remains a Strong Career Path in 2025

Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future and can have a profound impact on the lives of the students they educate. And for most teachers, education is a highly rewarding career path. A recent poll revealed that two-thirds of K-12 teachers in the U.S. are satisfied with their workplace, including 22% who are “extremely” satisfied.

While it’s never possible to pay teachers enough for all that they do, teacher salaries have seen a recent increase. This comes after a push to better educator wages in the face of teacher shortages in the past few years.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten and elementary school teachers had a median annual earnings of $62,310. Additionally, the benefits of a career as an educator extend well beyond your income. If you’re considering a career in teaching, here’s what you need to know. 

The Benefits of a Career in Education

If you’re considering a career as a teacher, these factors can help you determine whether the teaching profession is right for you. 

1. Demanding and Fulfilling

Teachers have to adapt to a wide variety of needs, such as the gifted student who flies through work, the traumatized child who needs emotional support, or the struggling student with undiagnosed learning disabilities. For those who love children and want to shape the future generation, this work is highly fulfilling.

Teachers do more than help students master basic skills. They teach emotional intelligence, advocate for their pupils, and instill self-esteem. Almost everyone has a teacher they will remember forever, and many people can point to a teacher who changed the course of their life. It’s hard to find any other profession that makes such a lasting impact. 

2. Job Stability

Education is crucial to our economy and a fundamental governmental responsibility. Teaching jobs will never disappear, and as the population grows, so too will the need for highly qualified educators. Teachers of Tomorrow cites the BLS as saying that the teaching field is expected to grow by about 4% through 2032.

3. Compensation

While teaching is admittedly not the highest-paid profession, teachers have long advocated for competitive compensation in other ways. At most schools, you can expect paid time off, health insurance, retirement plans, and opportunities for professional development. Many schools will even pay for you to return to school to advance your degree. 

4. Work-Life Balance

Teaching can be demanding during the school year. It’s not the kind of job you can leave behind each day. There may be students you think about for years to come. (But for passionate educators, that’s often a good thing.)

However, teaching also offers work-life balance. Having the summers off can give you time to recharge, travel with family, pursue additional educational credentials, or even pick up a second job. Winter breaks, federal holidays, spring breaks, and sometimes other clusters of paid time off are also the norm. Few other roles offer months off at a time. You can schedule your vacation around school breaks and still have plenty of paid time off left to use.

5. Lifelong Learning

Every learner, subject, and new district poses unique challenges. Teachers quickly learn to be flexible, critical thinkers committed to a lifetime of learning. Throughout your career, you’ll build up an array of skills that can serve you well beyond work. You’ll be a better communicator, a more effective parent, and a more powerful advocate. 

Many school systems also encourage teachers to continue their formal education. They may offer certifications, in-service days, or funding to support returning to school for additional training. An in-service day refers to a training session provided by a school to its teachers, typically held on campus.

A master’s degree can increase your earnings in school systems that offer higher pay for educators with more advanced degrees. It can also open the door to roles in administration, which typically pay much more. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a master’s degree increased median weekly earnings by nearly $300 in 2024. 

6. Passion Put to Work

Many educators see teaching as more than a career. Most teachers have felt called to education since their youth. Many believe they are shaping the world for the better and changing lives. If you’re creative, thoughtful, and committed to enriching the lives of young people, teaching is an excellent way to put your passion to work. 

7. Support for Communities

“Children are the future” is a cliche because it’s true. By shaping the minds and hearts of today’s youth, you help create the community of tomorrow and build a more thoughtful and better-educated world. 

However, these community-shaping benefits don’t just occur in the distant future. You can shape the world around you today. As a teacher, you support the smallest and most vulnerable people. This is an act of profound meaning that matters now and reverberates into the future. 

If you love children and care about your community, teaching is a gratifying career path. You’ll witness students making progress and see families evolve and change over time. You will be able to live your life knowing that you’re affecting hundreds of lives for the better. 

8. Transitional Opportunities

Sometimes, teaching is a second career that affords people the chance to leverage skills learned in previous vocations. However, the sheer amount of certification requirements can often be intimidating to prospective educators and can be challenging to navigate. 

SNU makes transitioning to a career in teaching as easy as possible. SNU’s Bachelor of Arts in Education program can prepare educators for the classroom in as few as 18 months. Our Alternative Certification program offers a faster path forward for those already possessing a bachelor’s degree, empowering professionals from all backgrounds to easily transition into a career in education while building their academic credentials. A Master of Arts in Teaching can help teachers become more effective and qualified educators, while becoming eligible for higher wages and advancement opportunities.

What is Alternative Certification in Teaching?

Alternative Certification allows individuals who have not earned a traditional teaching degree (but have often earned a bachelor’s degree in a different field) to become certified teachers. It frequently involves a fast-track process and can usually be a quicker path to the classroom. SNU offers the exact courses that you need to complete the requirements for your alternative certification. This plan was developed to help individuals meet the requirements of the Oklahoma State Department of Education and to support educators in becoming better classroom teachers, which may lead to more career opportunities in the future.  The coursework can also apply to future graduate study.

Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE): Foundations & Benefits

A Bachelor of Arts in Education (BAE) program is the more traditional route to a teaching career, providing foundational knowledge in pedagogy, child development, curriculum design, and subject-matter expertise. It’s an excellent choice if you are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree that will provide you with a deep dive into education theory, classroom management, and a strong foundation for teaching in K-12 schools. It can also open doors for more professional opportunities as well as prepare you for pursuing graduate work, like a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Advancing Your Career

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed with both new and experienced educators in mind. It prepares you not only for the practical duties associated with teaching but can also take you to a new level in your teaching career. It’s the perfect program for those wanting to enhance their skills, increase their earning potential, or move into specialized or leadership roles. 

This program provides you with advanced coursework in pedagogy, classroom leadership, and research-based methods. Whether you received your bachelor’s degree in education or another field, an MAT empowers graduates to become more effective and qualified educators, instructional coaches, and curriculum specialists. In many school districts, holding a master's degree qualifies you for higher pay and more advanced positions.

Comparing Paths at SNU

Tips for Transitioning to a Teaching Career

If you’re ready to make the switch to a career in teaching, you may be wondering where to start. Your first step is assessing whether teaching is right for you. If you think you’re ready, consider what sort of program might work best for your needs. 

Some questions to ask include: 

• How much time do I have to devote to my degree? 
• What course structure works best for me? 
• When do I want to start? 
• How do I plan to pay for my degree? 

When you choose your school, it’s essential to look for an institution that is: 

• Fully accredited. 
• Open to adult learners with flexible course structures. 
• Supportive of your financial goals with a comprehensive financial aid office. 
• Invested in your future. 

SNU caters to adult learners with unique course structures, expedited graduation, affordable classes, and a degree program that prepares you to become a leader in the field. We’re here for you from day one. 

FAQ: Common Questions about Teaching Degrees and Certification

Q: What is the difference between Alternative Certification and a Bachelor of Arts in Education?
A: Alternative Certification provides a faster pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, while a Bachelor of Arts in Education offers a full undergraduate degree with in-depth training in pedagogy, child development, and classroom practice.

Q: Can you start teaching with Alternative Certification?
A: Yes. In many states, Alternative Certification allows you to teach while completing required coursework and training. This pathway is especially popular with career changers who want to enter the classroom quickly.

Q: How does a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) help teachers?
A: The M.A.T. equips teachers with advanced skills in pedagogy, curriculum design, and classroom leadership. It often leads to increased salary potential and new career opportunities, including specialized or leadership roles.

Q: Is teaching still a stable career choice?
A: Yes. Demand for qualified teachers remains high across the U.S., with opportunities in elementary, secondary, and special education.

Conclusion: Start Your Teaching Journey Today

Teaching remains an exceptionally impactful and rewarding career. Whether you’re ready to make the move to the classroom through Alternative Certification, want to build a strong foundation in teaching with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, or are seeking to expand your expertise in education with a Master of Arts in Teaching, there’s a path for you at SNU.

No matter which path you choose, you’ll receive the knowledge, skills, and support you need to make a lasting difference in the lives of students and their families, as well as in your community. With flexible programs designed for adults who are already working and raising families, SNU is here to help you take the next step in becoming the educator you’ve always wanted to be.