13 positions for educational technology degree holders
Updated 12 August 2023
Technology has revolutionised education, enabling students to access educational resources anytime and anywhere with the help of learning management systems, online courses and virtual classrooms. It has also made it easier for teachers and instructors to create, find and deliver content for different educational needs. If working in this area interests you, an educational technology degree can provide you with the required skills and knowledge. In this article, we examine career options for these graduates and highlight their requirements, responsibilities and average salaries.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.
Jobs for educational technology degree holders
Here are some jobs to consider if you have an educational technology degree:
1. IT teacher
National average salary: £26,947 per year
Primary duties: An information technology (IT) teacher instructs students in the fundamentals of computing and software. They develop educational materials, provide technical guidance and assess student progress. IT teachers often maintain and troubleshoot the hardware they use in their classrooms. They have excellent communication skills, exceptional computer literacy and the ability to effectively manage students.
Requirements: To work as an IT teacher, candidates generally have a degree in education, computer technology or a related field, and have experience teaching students of varying ages and backgrounds. A strong understanding of educational software and technology trends is beneficial.
2. Corporate trainer
National average salary: £31,430 per year
Primary duties: Corporate trainers develop educational materials and provide training sessions for employees in a variety of settings. They may work to improve business efficiencies, train staff on new software or guide them through a new process. They assess student needs, develop educational plans and evaluate progress. Corporate trainers provide technical and professional guidance, working with human resources departments to ensure the achievement of business goals.
Requirements: Corporate trainers usually have a degree in business, technology or communication, and experience designing educational materials. They have excellent communication skills and are confident public speakers. As they're often tasked with short- to medium-term projects, corporate trainers keep up to date with technologies and trends in the education sector and industries where they work.
Related: How to become an IT trainer (With salary info and skills)
3. Instructional designer
Find instructional designer jobs
National average salary: £33,140 per year
Primary duties: Instructional designers create educational materials for schools, universities and organisations to improve student engagement and learning. They assess educational needs and develop strategies and tools to meet those needs. Instructional designers work closely with teachers, instructors and other individuals to design courses that are effective and engaging.
Requirements: Instructional designers generally have a bachelor's or master's degree in educational technology, educational psychology or a related field. Knowledge of educational software, instructional design theories and curriculum development is essential. Instructional designers have excellent organisational and communication skills and stay informed of educational trends.
Related: How to become an instructional designer (With FAQs)
4. E-learning manager
National average salary: £35,600 per year
Primary duties: An e-learning manager coordinates the delivery of educational content in a virtual environment. They select and implement software, set goals, coordinate activities and monitor student progress, often facilitating communication between students and their teachers. E-learning managers have excellent problem-solving skills and stay up to date with technology trends.
Requirements: Candidates for an e-learning manager role have a bachelor's or master's degree in English, teaching, technology or a related field. They also have experience with educational software and instructional design theories. They can also work in a fast-paced environment.
Related: 10 e-learning tools to consider (With definitions and FAQs)
5. Curriculum manager
National average salary: £38,873 per year
Primary duties: A curriculum manager creates and manages the educational content used in both traditional and online learning environments, taking advantage of emerging educational and technological trends. They use their knowledge of effective instruction methods to prepare informative and inspiring experiences and frameworks. Curriculum developers have excellent communication skills that help them present their findings, coach teachers and create new materials and teaching aids.
Requirements: To work as a curriculum developer, candidates generally require a bachelor's degree in the relevant speciality subject, a teaching qualification or a master's degree in education. In addition to academic credentials, work experience in teaching at a relevant age level, instructional coordination and leadership are desirable.
Related: What are curriculum designer responsibilities? (With skills)
6. User experience designer
Find user-experience designer jobs
National average salary: £46,292 per year
Primary duties: A user experience designer uses technology to create engaging and educational learning experiences for students. They design software, applications and websites through prototypes and tests to provide an efficient and effective user experience. Working with educational teams, they create informative and engaging content. User experience designers also ensure the content is accessible across all devices, as educational institutions often use multiple platforms to deliver materials.
Requirements: To succeed as a user experience designer, candidates usually have a degree in design, psychology or technology. They have an excellent understanding of design principles and usability standards. Designers in education have an eye for detail so that educational content is accessible to students with a wide range of abilities, comprehension and attention.
Related: How to create a UX designer CV (With definition and example)
7. Software engineer
National average salary: £49,729 per year
Primary duties: Software engineers develop software and applications. Often employed in educational organisations, they design and build user interfaces, create databases, troubleshoot issues and provide technical support. Working with technology teams, they create educational content that's both informative and engaging.
Requirements: To be successful as a software engineer, candidates can be self-taught in programming languages and tools, but they often have a degree in computer science. They have a strong understanding of programming languages, user experience design principles and educational tools. Software engineers stay up to date with technology trends, have strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in a team.
Related: Guide: 10 different software engineer levels (Plus duties)
8. IT director
National average salary: £88,323 per year
Primary duties: An IT director is responsible for the technology infrastructure in an organisation. They develop systems and strategies to help an organisation perform as effectively as possible, often overseeing other IT staff and authorising the purchase of new hardware and software. An IT director is often charged with creating roll-out strategies for new software and hardware, both within their IT team and for the wider company. As organisations increasingly rely on technology to store data, communicate with staff and deliver educational materials, the role is becoming increasingly sought after.
Requirements: Candidates for IT director jobs usually have a degree in computer science, engineering or a related technology qualification. They have advanced knowledge of software applications, exceptional problem-solving skills and a strong understanding of computer systems, network administration and data storage systems. IT directors also demonstrate strong leadership qualities, as they're often responsible for motivating teams, inspiring creativity and setting performance goals.
Related: 40 IT director interview questions (With sample answers)
Related jobs in education and technology
Here are some other jobs to consider in the education and technology sector:
Educational technology specialist: An educational technology specialist advocates for introducing new technologies in education, ensuring that students and teachers can take advantage of the latest resources. Their work sees them enhance education outcomes and give students a more engaging experience.
Technical support specialist: Technical support specialists provide technical assistance to educational institutions. Their work involves troubleshooting hardware and software issues and providing organisations with technical solutions.
Web developer: Web developers create websites, applications and educational content. They're responsible for designing user-friendly interfaces, coding programmes and ensuring that educational materials can be easily accessed online.
Data scientist: Data scientists help institutions to use data more effectively to improve education outcomes. They analyse data, identify trends and implement strategies to ensure that organisations use the data to its fullest potential.
Network engineer: Network engineers maintain networks, ensuring that users can access content securely and reliably. They configure networks, troubleshoot any technical issues and implement security measures.
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