Careers for People Who Like Working With Kids

Careers for people who like working with kids include child care worker, preschool teacher, teacher assistant, elementary or special education teacher, school counselor, speech-language pathologist, pediatric nurse, child and family social worker and pediatrician. Some start with a short credential; others take a master’s or medical school and a license. Begin by deciding which ages you enjoy and whether you want to teach, care, coach or heal.

Which kids, and which role?

Rocking babies, running a preschool art table and coaching fifteen-year-olds through a hard season are very different jobs. Think about ages first. Then think about role: teaching skills, caring for daily needs, supporting families, treating health or developmental problems, or leading activities. Also consider the adults. Almost every job with children involves parents, guardians and coworkers, and those conversations are a big part of the work.

Careers with kids by training route

Short credential or on-the-job training

Child care worker or nanny: Many start with entry-level jobs and state-required training in safety and first aid.
Camp counselor or recreation leader: Seasonal work that teaches group management fast and looks good on any application.
Youth sports coach: Often a volunteer or part-time start, with coaching education added along the way.

Certificate or associate degree

Preschool teacher: Requirements vary by state and program; the Child Development Associate credential or an associate degree in early childhood education is a common start.
Teacher assistant or paraprofessional: Supporting a classroom, often after some college or a state test; a smart way to learn whether teaching fits.
Pediatric medical assistant: Taking vitals and calming nervous kids in a pediatric office. Our medical assistant guide covers training.

Bachelor’s degree

Elementary or special education teacher: A bachelor’s, student teaching and a state license; the full teaching path is in our guide.
Pediatric nurse: Nurses who work with children start as registered nurses and build pediatric experience (how to become a nurse).
Child and family social worker: Child welfare and school roles often open with a bachelor’s in social work, and clinical roles need a master’s. Read how to become a social worker.
Child life specialist: Helping children cope with hospital stays, after child development coursework, a supervised internship and a certification exam.

Graduate degree and license

School counselor: A master’s and a state credential to help students with academics, plans and personal challenges; see how school counselors train.
Speech-language pathologist: This path needs a master’s, a supervised clinical year and a license, and schools are a major employer.
Pediatric occupational or physical therapist: Helping kids build motor and daily living skills. Compare occupational therapy with physical therapy.
Child psychologist or therapist: Graduate training and a license to work with children and families; how to become a psychologist lays out the doctoral route.
Pediatrician or pediatric nurse practitioner: The longest routes, through medical school or nurse practitioner training.

For majors, see what you can do with an education degree, a psychology degree and a social work degree. The college majors guide and our career paths hub list more, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook covers current pay and outlook.

What to know going in

Screening: expect fingerprinting and clearance checks for nearly every paid or volunteer role with children.
Pay varies widely: child care and assistant roles are often modestly paid, while licensed clinical roles pay more after longer training.
Emotional weight: you will see kids struggling at home, at school or with illness. People who last protect their own rest and lean on their team.
Energy: a day with young children is physically tiring. Try a full day before deciding.

How to test the fit

Volunteer with a tutoring, reading or after-school program for a full semester; our guide to volunteering for teens has ideas.
Work a summer as a camp counselor or babysit regularly for a family with kids of different ages.
Ask a teacher, speech therapist or pediatric nurse in an informational interview what the hardest part of the job is.
Shadow in a classroom for a whole day, including lunch duty and dismissal.
Take our career interest quiz to see whether teaching, health care or social services fits you best.

Where a mentor helps

People drawn to kids are often generous with their time and slow to plan for themselves. A mentor helps you compare roles, find volunteer and summer jobs, plan courses and applications, and stay accountable through student teaching or graduate school. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts; they help you do the work yourself. Learn about our career and education mentoring and mentoring for high school students.

Common questions

What jobs with kids do not need a degree?

Child care worker, nanny, camp counselor, recreation leader and youth coach are open without a degree. Preschool and assistant roles may need a credential or some college, depending on the state.

What is the highest paying career working with children?

Pediatricians, pediatric nurse practitioners, child psychologists and speech-language pathologists tend to earn the most, after the longest training. Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics for current figures.

Can I work with kids without being a teacher?

Yes. Speech therapy, school counseling, pediatric nursing, child life, social work and recreation all center on children.

What should I major in to work with kids?

Education, psychology, child development, social work, nursing or kinesiology, depending on whether you want to teach, counsel, treat or coach.

Get started

Want to work with kids and need a clear plan to get there? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.