Career & application guide

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

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What do career/technical education teachers, postsecondary do?

Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Automotive Instructor
  • Automotive Technology Instructor
  • Cosmetology Instructor
  • Flight Instructor
  • HVAC-R Instructor (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration Instructor)
  • Instructor
  • Professor
  • Teacher

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for improvement.
  • Present lectures and conduct discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visual aids, such as graphs, charts, videotapes, and slides.
  • Supervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment.
  • Administer oral, written, or performance tests to measure progress and to evaluate training effectiveness.
  • Provide individualized instruction and tutorial or remedial instruction.
  • Prepare reports and maintain records, such as student grades, attendance rolls, and training activity details.
  • Develop curricula and plan course content and methods of instruction.
  • Determine training needs of students or workers.
  • Supervise independent or group projects, field placements, laboratory work, or other training.
  • Integrate academic and vocational curricula so that students can obtain a variety of skills.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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