Options with childhood studies
Although childhood studies is not a vocational course, it is an excellent foundation for a range of careers working with children and young people. Whilst many childhood studies students will look for a career related to their degree it is by no means necessary to do so. There are opportunities to enter a wide range of careers that are not related to your degree subject.
Choosing a career involves more than just finding out what is open to you. It is also important to understand your own values, interests, abilities and skills in order to relate career options to yourself.
All employers will be interested in your personal skills and abilities as well as in the specific subject and technical skills developed through your degree subject. A childhood studies course helps you to develop a wide range of transferable skills valued by employers. These skills include:
All employers are impressed by graduates who have some relevant experience, whether gained via paid or voluntary experience. This is particularly true for those considering teaching or social work, as competition for places on courses is fierce. Work experience is also a useful way to check out whether the career really is what you hope it will be and whether it suits you.
You may wish to consider alternatives to entering employment or postgraduate study, such as taking time out, volunteering, travelling or even starting your own business. If you can decide on a career path you can always utilise time spent travelling or pursuing other interests to your advantage by making sure your activities are relevant to your future job preferences.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
Childhood studies has a natural link with work in the social care and education sectors and many graduates will opt to stay within these sectors after graduation. Examples of the types of jobs childhood studies students have entered include: child and family support managers, residential child care officers, classroom/education assistants, kid’s club coordinators, charity development/project officers, outreach support workers, further education tutors and nursery officers.
Other childhood studies graduates decide to apply for jobs for which any degree is acceptable, competing with graduates from other subjects for roles within, for example, administration and customer service roles.
Self-employment is also an option. Examples of this have been graduates who have opened their own private nursery.
Childhood studies graduates enter employment in a variety of sectors and a range of employers, including local authorities, local and national charities, state and independent schools, nurseries and health authorities. In recent years, both the Connexions service, local Sure Start initiatives and The National Health Service (NHS) have employed graduates from childhood studies degrees. The majority of graduates go into either social care or education, so it is worth looking into the following sectors:
See industry insights for further information on possibilities in other employment areas.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
Childhood studies graduates tend to take courses that lead to professional status. The most popular option for further study is the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), as many graduates go on to work as primary school or special needs teachers. However, other professional courses pursued include nursing and the Masters programme in social work.
Some graduates combine working and study, which reflects that employers are often supportive of further study and may support employees by providing funding or time off to complete coursework.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgrad study and search courses and research to identify your options.
Look at funding my further study for details relating to finance and the application process.
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