Ivy Tech Libraries: Early Childhood Education: Career Development

Career Information

Resources on this page can help if you want to connect with professional organizations related to early childhood education, if you are working on professional development, or if you wish to explore different types of careers in the field of early childhood education.

Careers in Early Childhood Education

O*Net OnLine
The O*NET Program is the nation's primary source of occupational information. Central to the project is the O*NET database, containing hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors on almost 1,000 occupations covering the entire U.S. economy. The database, which is available to the public at no cost, is continually updated from input by a broad range of workers in each occupation.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The OOH can help you find career information on duties, education and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
Resume Books (IvyCat)
Job Hunting Books (IvyCat)
Employment Interviewing Books (IvyCat)

Professional Organizations

AFT: American Federation of Teachers

NEA: National Education Association

NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children

INAEYC: Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children

Childhood Education International ACEI is a global community of educators and advocates who unite knowledge, experience, and perspectives in order to exchange information, explore innovation, and advocate for children. The Association promotes and supports the optimal education and development of children, from birth through early adolescence, and the professional growth of educators and others committed to the needs of children in a changing society.
Child Care Aware of America Child Care Aware is the national network of more than 700 child care resource and referral centers located in every state and most communities across the U.S. These centers help families, child care providers, and communities find, provide, and plan for affordable, quality child care.
Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Division for Early Childhood (DEC) CEC is an international organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or those who are gifted. DEC is the Division of CEC that focuses on young children (birth through age 8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
HighScope Educational Research Foundation HighScope is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, established in 1970 with headquarters in Ypsilanti, Michigan. HighScope works to create and deliver high-quality educational resources, including professional learning workshops, assessment instruments, curriculum materials, and evaluation services to improve educational outcomes for children, families and communities. HighScope publishes many resources that support early childhood educators in their continued learning about best practices and the latest research in the early childhood field and by taking advantage of all the benefits of the HighScope Membership Association teachers interested in the CDA Credential will receive a wide variety of high quality early educational resources that benefit teachers, administrators, students, parents, and advocates who work to create positive lifetime benefits for children, families and communities.
National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) NAFCC is dedicated to promoting quality child care by strengthening the profession of family child care. NAFCC provides technical assistance to family child care associations by promoting leadership development and by promoting quality and professionalism through the organization's accreditation process for family child care providers.
National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) NBCDI provides and supports programs, workshops, and resources for African American children, their parents and communities in early health and education, health, elementary and secondary education, child welfare, and parenting. Affiliate chapters in many regions of the country provide direct services at the community level.
National Head Start Association (NHSA) NHSA is dedicated to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. The Association provides support for the Head Start community by advocating for policies to strengthen Head Start services; providing training and professional development to Head Start staff; and developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery.
ZERO TO THREE ZERO TO THREE's mission is to support the healthy development and well-being of infants, toddlers and their families. This multidisciplinary organization advances its mission by informing, educating, and supporting adults who influence the lives of infants and toddlers.

Professional Development Opportunities

Preschool Teacher.org General information about professional development with links to various topics, including career information and state licensing requirements
NAEYC Trainings and Webinars Lists opportunities for virtual learning, online learning, and webinars
Early Childhood Investigations Webinars Early Childhood Investigations offers free webinars to early childhood educators. The series is produced by Engagement Strategies, LLC.

Ivy Tech Career Resources

Ivy Tech Career Coaching & Employer Connections
Links to Career Coaching, HireIvy and other Ivy Tech resources. Once you are on the page, scroll to the bottom to connect with your local campus resources and information.