Teacher Aides

Obtain experience working with children by volunteering to help with religious education classes at your place of worship. You may volunteer to help with scouting troops or work as a counselor at a summer camp. You may have the opportunity to volunteer to help coach a children's athletic team or work with children in after-school programs at community centers. Babysitting is a common way to gain experience in working with children and to learn about the different stages of child development.

Participate in information interviews with teacher aides. During such an interview, you will get the opportunity to ask teacher aides about their job duties, work environment, likes and dislikes about their careers, educational training, and other topics that will help you to learn more about the field. Information interviews can be conducted in-person, on the phone, or through video-conferencing technology. Ask your school counselor or a teacher to help you set up information interviews. Perhaps you could even job-shadow a teacher aide to learn even more about the field.