When most people think of a career in education, they picture a classroom. But as this semester’s Gator Career Chat revealed, teaching is only one of many ways to make an impact through education.

Hosted by Sara Jay, Associate Director for Career Pathways and Education at UF’s Career Connections Center, the session featured professionals whose work spans consulting, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and corporate training. Each shared how they used their education backgrounds to build meaningful careers beyond traditional teaching roles.

Watch the full panel discussion here

Meet the Panel: Educators Who Took Their Skills Further

• Kristen Baar taught for 18 years before becoming a Solution Analyst at Deloitte, where she designs training for public agencies.
• Careshia Moore started as a teacher, became an attorney, and now leads Compete to Succeed Educational Resources, a firm focused on access, equity, and school redesign.
• Haley Byrnes-Dickinson combines her background in education and research at the Pace Center for Girls, using data to improve programs and outcomes.
• Joanna Garcia turned her student affairs experience into leadership at FIU’s Center for Leadership and Service, directing initiatives that support students and the community.
• Jimmy McClellan went from kindergarten teacher to Associate Director at the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities, working on national projects that expand college access.

Transferable Skills That Travel

👉Leadership and Organization Lesson planning, coordinating activities, and managing people build a strong foundation for roles in project management and leadership.

👉Adaptability and Problem-Solving Educators think on their feet. Careshia Moore shared how she once organized a college field trip for local students simply because she saw a need—a reminder that initiative creates opportunity.

👉Communication and Collaboration Jimmy McClellan noted that his experience as a UF resident assistant helped strengthen the communication and leadership skills he still uses today.

👉Technical and Analytical Skills Modern classrooms rely on data. Haley Byrnes-Dickinson emphasized that students can use tools like Excel and Power BI to analyze results and showcase those projects as part of a professional portfolio.

Putting Skills into Action

The panel encouraged students to apply these strengths early through internships, service projects, and informational interviews. Jimmy McClellan recommended reaching out to professionals to explore new paths, while Careshia Moore reminded students to follow up with mentors and maintain those relationships.

“Teachers learn to manage, lead, and communicate,” said Kristen Baar. “Those skills travel.”

Building Your Skills at UF

Whether your path leads to instructional design, nonprofit work, higher education, or consulting, education remains one of the most adaptable degrees. You can start developing transferable skills right now through UF resources:

• Career Hub: Explore the Human Services, Consulting, and Education pathway for guides and sample roles.
• LinkedIn Learning: Build technical skills with short courses in Excel, Power BI, or instructional design.
• Forage Virtual Experience Programs: Try project-based simulations in consulting, analytics, or nonprofit management.
• Gator Network: Connect with UF alumni in education, consulting, or EdTech.
• Gator CareerLink: Find internships, on-campus jobs, and full-time opportunities aligned with your goals.

“Start where you are. You already have the skills; now it’s about applying them in new ways,” said Sara Jay.