Part I

Below is a list of some common school-level careers requiring, in most cases, a college degree. In addition to school-level employees, school districts will employee district-level employees such as the superintendent.

Schools vary in the personnel they employ and the tasks those employees perform. In addition, some employees may be required to work at multiple schools. For example, a school may not have a school social worker, or there may be a school social worker who works at multiple schools within the same school district.

(This list was divided into two parts due to word limits for articles. )

Administrative Assistant

Schools often have one or more administrative assistants. Required tasks of these administrative assistants vary greatly among schools. Some of the tasks that may be preformed by administrative assistants include answering telephones, receiving visitors, managing filing systems, scheduling appointments and activities, tracking attendance and sending school-related correspondences.

The preferred education for administrative assistants in public schools is often a related associate degree or higher.

Assistant Principal

Assistant principals are school administrators that support the principal by carrying out administrative duties as assigned by the principal. They also serve as the acting principal during periods where the principal is away from the school.

Assistant principals must be licensed through the state in which they are employed in school administration. The minimum required education for an assistant principal is typically a master's degree in school administration. Many states also require school administrators to have a teaching license and teaching experience prior to becoming an administrator.

Principal

The principal is the head school-level administrator. Principals supervise all of the school employees. They meet with students, teachers, staff and parents on a daily bases. They also perform a variety of tasks such as observing classes, creating budgets, preparing reports, evaluating employees and developing curriculum standards.

All principals must be licensed in school administration through the state in which they are employed. The minimum education for an assistant principal is typically a master's degree in school administration. Many states require school administrators to have a teaching license and teaching experience prior to becoming an administrator.

School Counselor

School counselors work with students in three domains: social development, emotional development, and career development. Some of the tasks of school counselors perform may include assisting students adjust to school, mediating disagreements between students, helping students during a crisis situation, aiding students who are making career choices, registering students for classes, and assisting students apply for college.

School counselors must be licensed by the state where they work. The minimum education for a school counselor is typically a master's degree in school counseling. Some states also require that school counselors have teaching experience.

School Nurse

School nursing is a specialization of nursing that focuses on the health and overall well-being of students. School nurses work independently to provide care for health problems, promote student health, provide case-management services, and collaborate with other school professionals to help students.

All school nurses must be licensed. Individual states set minimum requirements for school nurses. Many states require nurses to registered nurses (RN) with a bachelor's degree.


To learn about other public school careers, read the article titled “Public School Careers -- Part II