Early care and education professionals can now map out their own unique career trajectory through a new interactive tool from Trying Together designed to simplify career pathways in early childhood education.
Developed through the Institute for Early Childhood Career Pathways, the Southwest Pennsylvania Child Care Career Map enables users to learn more about jobs in the field and determine their next career steps. Each career description included on the map details salary, skills and requirements, and training programs to help professionals reach their career goal.
The map is useful for professionals at all stages of their career – from students and new-to-the-field educators to directors and career advisors.
Early learning programs can benefit from using the career map with staff. Helping staff map out their career not only benefits the educator, but can also strengthen a program as a whole.
When programs support the career goals of their staff, they can:
- Improve staff retention
- Increase employee engagement
- Strengthen succession planning
- Determine who is interested in moving into leadership roles and how can they can get there
- Encourage continuing education
- Create transparent career pathways
- Foster a culture of professional growth
To begin mapping your career, visit Trying Together’s interactive tool. For questions on how to use the map, email institute@tryingtogether.org.
About the Institute for Early Childhood Career Pathways
The Institute for Early Childhood Career Pathways connects early educators to professional learning partners; certification, credentialing, degree, mentoring, and workforce development programs; and a variety of other advancement opportunities as they work their way through Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathway.
Through the institute’s offerings, Trying Together is dedicated to supporting new and current early care and education professionals in Southwestern Pennsylvania by centralizing workforce recruitment, placement, retention, and ongoing professional development.
