The U.S. has more than 25 million kids younger than 6.
The United States had 75.2 million kids aged 17 or younger in 2010, according to ChildStats.gov, produced by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. In 2018, the number is expected to pass 80 million. More than 25 million children are younger than 6 years old. Careers that center around working with kids are plentiful. The jobs require varying levels of education and training. While some careers require advanced degrees, others allow you to enter the field with a bachelor's degree.
Teacher
Teachers work in public or private schools, giving lessons to kids. To begin a teaching career in an elementary, middle or high school, a bachelor's degree is required, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Majoring in education as an undergraduate specifically prepares college students to get their state teaching license, but some students major in other liberal arts subjects and also take education courses that allow them to earn state certification as a teacher.
Child Care Worker
Child care workers take care of preschoolers as well as school-aged kids when school is not in session. The minimum requirements for careers in child care vary widely. Some jobs only require a high school diploma, some require an associate degree and some require a bachelor's degree or higher. A bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education offers more opportunity to advance in the field, according to the BLS, which says larger child care centers and publicly funded programs typically require more formal education and training than family child care providers.
Social Worker
Social workers can work with kids in a variety of settings. Tasks range from facilitating adoptions and foster care placements to working in schools with troubled teens. Entry-level jobs typically require a bachelor's degree in social work, at minimum, but sometimes a bachelor's degree in sociology or psychology is accepted at smaller community agencies, according to the BLS. It says social workers usually need a master's degree for advancement in the field or to qualify for jobs in schools.
Corrections Officer
Corrections officers in juvenile detention facilities work daily with kids who have been sentenced for crimes, or are waiting for trial on criminal charges. The education requirements to begin a career as a corrections officer vary by state and by agency. A high school diploma and training at a specialized academy for new officers is sufficient for some jobs. Other agencies require a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Military experience is a plus.
Nurse
A bachelor's degree in nursing allows nurses to begin work with kids at hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities. For nurses who want to go on to earn certification as pediatric nurses, specialists in caring for children, this allows them to get the clinical experience they need before they qualify to take the Certified Pediatric Nurse exam.
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