| hose most passionate about their music, a job in | | | | advice and guidance in your career path. By all means, |
| music education is a natural fit. Far from being a case | | | | let them and others know that you're looking for a |
| of "those who can't do, teach", those who take | | | | job in music education. Other teachers are often the |
| music education jobs are talented not only as artists | | | | first to know that one of their own is leaving. |
| but as teachers who want to pass their love of | | | | School department contacts are invaluable. |
| music on to another generation, to ensure that there | | | | In most cities, the school department must post |
| is always music in the world. | | | | vacancies internally before advertising them to the |
| Once upon a time, a degree in music education was | | | | general public. Those vacancies are often posted on |
| seen as a 'fallback option'- the job that would always | | | | a bulletin board in each school within the district. Let |
| be there if a performing or production career didn't | | | | teacher friends and contacts know that you're |
| work out. That time is long gone now as states have | | | | looking and ask them to keep an eye out for you. |
| cut funding for enrichment education across the | | | | Knowing that a vacancy is posted internally can give |
| country. While the job outlook for music teachers is | | | | you a leg up on the competition and cue you to |
| still good, the Occupational Outlook Handbook says | | | | submit your resume and cover letter for music |
| that jobs for musicians and teachers will grow at | | | | education jobs before they're advertised. |
| about average or a little faster than average rates | | | | Network online. |
| through 2014 - school departments, private | | | | Join national and local music teachers associations |
| institutions and universities have the luxury of being | | | | online, particularly those that hold regular events, |
| able to be choosy about whom they hire to fill music | | | | symposiums and have a discussion board. Many of |
| education jobs. | | | | them post job openings for members, and more than |
| One of the best ways to hear about music education | | | | a few allow members to post job leads and requests |
| jobs and openings is to establish a network of | | | | for job leads on their boards. Some organizations that |
| contact within the music education community. While | | | | you might consider joining include: |
| basic networking is good, there are ways to network | | | | Technology Institute for Music Educators ( |
| more effectively to concentrate your focus on | | | | Music Teachers National Association ( |
| finding and improving your chances of being hired for | | | | Teachers.net Chat boards ( |
| music education jobs. | | | | The National Association for Music Education ( |
| Network locally. | | | | Keep in mind that in networking, you get out what |
| Lucky you, you actually have three different sources | | | | you put in. Don't just join a group and start soliciting |
| of local networking that can help you narrow your | | | | for music education jobs. Look for what you can |
| job search focus. As an educator, get involved in local | | | | offer - the more you become involved the more |
| organizations for teachers and get your name out | | | | visible you'll become and the more willing others will |
| there. If you've made contacts while interning and | | | | be to recommend jobs to you. |
| practice-teaching, keep up with them, and ask their | | | | |