7. Good Work in Education

The nation is in need of teachers. The shortage is most acute in cities. And everywhere, there's great need for teachers in math, sciences, and special education.

Why teach? Experienced teachers tell pollsters that the single biggest reason to teach is the pleasure of working with young people. Achieving success with young people is incredibly fulfilling. And, as a mature adult, you have the life experience to work with parents, knowing that their attitude and involvement can make a big difference in a child's education.

If you have a bachelor's degree – in any field – you could qualify for an alternative teacher preparation program that enables you to begin teaching, with salary and benefits, within a short time. But don't underestimate the need to learn more about classroom management, local curricula requirements, and evaluation of student progress.

For details, check out Alternative Routes to Teacher Certification, a free booklet from the U.S. Department of Education.

If you're going to make the commitment to teaching, presumably you'd like to be able to continue this new career for awhile. Research suggests that mid-career transfers into teaching can benefit by getting a good preview of the job.

To get a flavor for teaching, try it out first. Sign up with your local school district to become a substitute teacher. Learn as much as you can about the school community where you'd like to work – the culture, the students' backgrounds and academic profiles, what kinds of formal and informal supports exist, and how much support and supervision you're likely to receive.

In addition to full-time K-12 teaching and part-time subbing, there are plenty of other options for those interested in educating young people.

There's a need for daycare providers and teachers, staff members in after-school programs, teaching assistants (particularly those who are interested in working with special educations students), tutors (paid and unpaid), and adjunct professors who teach a course or two at a local university or community college. Check into options in your community.

If you'd like to tutor or mentor elementary school students, Experience Corps may be for you. Now in more than a dozen cities, Experience Corps trains, places, and supports teams of Americans over 55 to work in hard-hit schools, helping kids learn to read.