In a school system, curriculum specialists lead the selection of textbooks and other curriculum, and train teachers while motivating them to embrace the government's edicts du jour. They may also attempt to evaluate the results. In the workplace, training specialists receive requests from higher-ups to develop or select training programs, recruit instructors, perhaps teach some workshops, and evaluate the results.
This is a pleasant job because you avoid many of teaching's in-the-trenches frustrations yet feel you're helping people to grow. Also, in reviewing and evaluating curriculum and instruction, you're learning new things all the time.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, instructional coordinator jobs are projected to grow much faster than average through 2014 as corporations strive to keep up with the ever quickening pace of change and because increased school system spending is virtually assured. Few politicians dare oppose it even though the United States already spends more money on education in real dollars and even as a percentage of gross domestic product than any other G-8 country, while American students still score near the bottom among developed nations.
With the work rewarding and not unduly stressful and the job market strong, and with school-system-based jobs offering top job security and the summers off, curriculum/training specialist is a Best Career.
Median Pay
National: $63,200
Training
For school system jobs, the normal route in is to become a teacher and succeed at that. You might then need to spend some time as a principal or assistant principal.
For training jobs, a wide range of bachelor's degrees is often acceptable for entry-level jobs. Some former teachers have obtained positions in workplace training.
