Education Careers Week brings jobs, inspiration to George Mason’s future educators

Educators are in high demand, and the field offers myriad avenues for job seekers to explore. Given that demand and the diverse career opportunities, University Career Services (UCS) at George Mason University expanded its annual Education Recruitment Day into a full week of programming in February. Education Careers Week featured a week of career exploration, collaboration, and learning for students interested in teaching, human development, or careers working with children.

Designed for the George Mason community to make connections and explore evolving career paths, the week included workshops, panels, a networking mixer, and a visit to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), the ninth-largest school district in the nation. The week also featured an on-campus recruitment track, giving students the chance to interview directly with education employers. At least four students who participated received job offers.

The week concluded with a site visit to the FCPS Gatehouse Administration Center in Falls Church, Virginia. The first-of-its-kind collaboration between George Mason and FCPS gave students an inside look at one of the nation's largest school systems. Participants met with administrative and human resources professionals to learn about hiring timelines, interview strategies, and professional development programs such as the Great Beginnings Summer Institute, a four-day professional learning opportunity for teachers new to FCPS. The visit provided a clear view of the many roles-both inside and beyond the classroom-that drive a vibrant public school community.

"I loved learning about the different career paths and trajectories," said graduate student Jia Liu, who is working on a master's in social work. "There was no linear path, which I thought was interesting and inspiring."

Throughout the week, faculty, staff, parents, and alumni lent their time and expertise as panelists and moderators, providing students with firsthand insight into education as both a calling and a career. Alumni from the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Alumni Chapter helped moderate sessions, highlighting the lasting connection between graduates and current students.

"The George Mason community came together to make Education Careers Week a success," said Saskia Campbell, UCS executive director. "That collaboration made it possible to expand our programming and networking opportunities for students."

Event attendees represented many of the university's schools and colleges, spanning majors in education, business, government, STEM, and more. Half of the attendees were graduate students, indicating that the education sector attracts talent from across disciplines and at every stage of career development.

"I decided to attend Education Careers Week to gather information about the type of education career I wanted to pursue," said graduate student Valeria Alejandra Reyes-Chain, who is working on a school psychology degree. "I gained valuable insights that guided me throughout the job application process."

Education Careers Week highlighted that career growth is about continuous learning. From student teaching to leadership, each experience builds toward a career that can evolve across roles, grade levels, and even industries.

Additionally, it served as an important reminder that community makes the difference. Students, alumni, and partners supported each other in the pursuit of meaningful work, demonstrating George Mason's culture of shared purpose. No matter your major, experience level, or background, a career in education is a way to make a difference in the world.

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