Resources

json=[ { "title":"Recent Survey Insights from the Ed Tech Industry", "body":"HighFive Partners has enjoyed a front-row seat to the growth of a robust market for Ed Tech jobs, and we wanted to develop some deeper insights into this market when we commissioned our first-ever Ed Tech industry executive compensation survey earlier this year. The compensation survey was recently concluded, and we are currently completing the process of tabulating the results. We look ...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/recent-survey-insights-from-the-ed-tech-industry", "author":"Teresa Chung", "publish_date":"14-<span>Aug<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/teresa-chung", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/HighFivePartners_March2019/Images/bannerhome.jpg", "topics":{ "ed-tech":"Ed Tech" }, "search":"14 <span>aug</span>, 2024recent survey insights from the ed tech industry ed tech teresa chung highfive partners has enjoyed a front-row seat to the growth of a robust market for ed tech jobs, and we wanted to develop some deeper insights into this market when we commissioned our first-ever ed tech industry executive compensation survey earlier this year. the compensation survey was recently concluded, and we are currently completing the process of tabulating the results. we look forward to sharing the full results with survey participants in the coming weeks. in the meantime, we wanted to provide a teaser and highlight some early takeaways from our exploratory analysis. in this blog, we break down some high-level results showing the diverse nature of employers, professional backgrounds, and opportunities in ed tech. just getting started learning about careers in ed tech? our guide can help. about the ed tech compensation survey sample over 400 respondents completed the survey, providing a robust sample for understanding some key industry trends. nearly 70% are employed full-time in ed tech, with about 11% part-time or freelance, and 21% not currently in an ed tech position. due to highfive partners\u2019 background as an executive recruiting firm specializing in the ed tech market, respondents included a substantial number of c-suite executives, vice presidents, and director roles. respondents are divided across ed tech\u2019s different market segments, with about: 43% in prek-12 related positions 29% in higher education 16% in workforce education 3% in positions related to multiple market segments. respondents also reflect a variety of different skill sets and business units, including, sales, business development, product management, marketing, curriculum design, operations, and more. 98% of respondents hold a bachelor\u2019s degree or higher, with 60% holding a graduate degree. the mean salary reported in the survey was $207,000, plus an average bonus $86,000. this average is influenced by the relatively high seniority level of survey respondents and should not be interpreted as an industry average. we will provide a more specific breakout by seniority level to survey respondents in the coming weeks. respondents represent all stages of company growth the ed tech industry contains a mix of young startups, pre-ipo companies, and large, publicly traded global enterprises. all aspects of this diversity are represented in our sample, with about: 32% of respondents in privately owned companies. 27% in private equity-backed companies. 20% in vc-backed companies. 10% in publicly traded or government positions. 8% in non-profits. respondents also reported a range of company sizes as indicated by revenue and total number of employees: 10% of survey respondents work for organizations with revenues over $1 billion us. 50% represent organizations generating $100m or less. 30% of respondents work for an organization with 200 employees or fewer. 30% work in 1,000+ person organizations. a \u201Cyoung\u201D industry with longstanding organizations and experienced professional leadership the ed tech industry has seen incredible growth over the past decades, and with it a growing mainstream perception of ed tech as a full-fledged industry in its own right. but while the \u201Ced tech industry\u201D as recognized by the financial press may be relatively new, it's worth remembering that many companies (and professionals) have been working to advance technology through education for decades longer. our survey data provides evidence for this fact: while about 28% of respondents have been in the ed tech field for 10 years or less, over 30% of the sample report working in this space for 20 years or more. the ed tech industry remains the remote work leader the ed tech industry helped pioneer meaningful remote work technologies and has always been at the forefront of more flexible working arrangements. even as the broader tech industry has seen a lasting shift to remote work post-covid, ed tech remains at the leading edge: our survey shows that about 78% of ed tech professionals work remotely, with 17% hybrid and only 5% in the company office. this result may be influenced by the large number of sales and business development professionals represented in the sample. this compares to about 68% in the broader technology industry, itself the highest compared to any other industry. we take a deeper look at why so many ed tech companies are hiring remotely here. a unique combination of professional backgrounds survey respondents reflect the fact that the ed tech industry draws on professionals from a number of different industries and backgrounds. in ed tech, you\u2019ll find silicon valley programmers working on teams with long-term primary school teachers and former wall street executives. 36% of respondents came to ed tech from education. 20% came from a non-ed tech business background. 24% have spent their entire career in the ed tech industry. learn more about careers in the ed tech industry while they come from many different backgrounds, a clear majority of respondents plan to stay in ed tech long-term, with 70% reporting it is very likely they will continue in ed tech, 30% somewhat likely, and 0% answering not likely. this result is impressive, but not surprising for those familiar with this industry: it is full of passionate people who believe in technology\u2019s potential to improve educational possibilities for all. while we are still calculating the full results of the survey, the highlights above reflect why we think the ed tech industry is such an incredible place to build a career. we look forward to sharing more results in the near future." }, { "title":"A Front Row Seat to a Robust Market for Ed Tech Jobs", "body":"The Ed Tech industry has rapidly evolved into a robust vertical all its own\u2014and so has its job market. What do Ed Tech professionals need to know about how this market has changed over time? In this blog, we draw on first-hand experience from operating our industry jobs platform to provide some key evidence. How Ed Tech Has Grown into a Robust Vertical Like any other industry, Ed Tech ex...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/a-front-row-seat-to-a-robust-market-for-ed-tech-jobs", "author":"Teresa Chung", "publish_date":"03-<span>May<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/teresa-chung", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/bigstock--192555874.jpg", "topics":{ "ed-tech":"Ed Tech","tech-trends":"Tech Trends" }, "search":"03 <span>may</span>, 2024a front row seat to a robust market for ed tech jobs ed tech,tech trends teresa chung the ed tech industry has rapidly evolved into a robust vertical all its own\u2014and so has its job market. what do ed tech professionals need to know about how this market has changed over time? in this blog, we draw on first-hand experience from operating our industry jobs platform to provide some key evidence. how ed tech has grown into a robust vertical like any other industry, ed tech experiences peaks and valleys. yahoo finance reports that the industry is projected to grow $ 549.6 billion by 2033 (a robust 14.2% growth rate), but is still navigating a sharp downturn in vc funding so far in 2024. as the industry adapts to changing macroeconomic conditions and higher interest rates put a premium on cash flow, ed tech firms will face increasing pressure to translate promising concepts into profitable operations. but as we explore below, our own data suggest that the ed tech jobs market continues to weather the storm. over the long term, ed tech will have the benefit of a market with countercyclical resilience in education (schools don\u2019t slow operations when the stock market falls), while the long-term demand for new education solutions is unlikely to wane anytime in the foreseeable future. so far, ed tech has the potential to remain in a unique place on the periphery of the broader tech market, and even to thrive as traditional tech companies struggle. just getting started learning about the ed tech industry? check out our guide to understanding ed tech. our front row seat from the industry\u2019s largest dedicated jobs platform our team has been hard at work scaling up the largest jobs platform dedicated to the ed tech industry since 2019. over this journey, we have had the opportunity to see the job market mature up close. the covid crisis, beginning in earnest in the us in early 2020, caused a massive surge of interest in the industry (and our jobs platform). the number of jobs on our platform exploded to 748 companies and 11,000+ jobs by january 2021. the rapid switch to remote learning created a surge of investment in ed tech, and we also saw massive growth in remote positions as the economy adapted to socially distance work (this growth has continued, and remote ed tech jobs are clearly here to stay). since then, our experience reflects the fact that the ed tech market as a whole has seen incredible growth over the past five years, even if there have been some unfortunate closures along the way. january 2022: 900+ companies, 27,000+ jobs. january 2023: 900+ companies, 33,000+ jobs. in 2023, we saw signs that ed tech hiring was slowing down alongside the broader market for tech talent. but in 2024, we can report a huge boom in the number of opportunities: january 2024: 1000+ companies, 15,500 jobs. april 2024: 1,100+ companies, 38,436 jobs. as part of this growth, jobs and opportunities have flourished in terms of quality, quantity, and variety. today, the ed tech jobs market features opportunities related to everything from finance, to software development, to childhood development, and everything in between. these diverse opportunities are spread across multi-faceted \u201Ccradle to gray\u201D markets, including early childhood education, k12, higher education, workforce\/continuing education, and even learning resources for seniors. this continued growth is a testament to the staying power and dynamism of the ed tech industry, our team is proud to be part of this story, and we continue to believe that the ed tech industry is a fantastic place to build a career. if you are interested in learning more about opportunities in ed tech, we invite you to explore our jobs platform (fully searchable by job function, company size, and more) here." }, { "title":"Looking for Ed Tech Companies Hiring Remotely?", "body":"The growth of remote work opportunities over the past several years has been truly astounding. Accelerated by the COVID crisis, working away from the office rapidly matured from a small but growing trend to a long-term reality for a wide variety of professions and industries. The Ed Tech industry is no exception. In this blog, we take a look at the state of hiring for remote positions in...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/looking-for-ed-tech-companies-hiring-remotely", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"30-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/Remote%20Working%20in%20Ed%20Tech.jpg", "topics":{ "remote-work":"Remote Work" }, "search":"30 <span>apr</span>, 2024looking for ed tech companies hiring remotely? remote work highfive partners the growth of remote work opportunities over the past several years has been truly astounding. accelerated by the covid crisis, working away from the office rapidly matured from a small but growing trend to a long-term reality for a wide variety of professions and industries. the ed tech industry is no exception. in this blog, we take a look at the state of hiring for remote positions in ed tech, and where to look for remote-friendly opportunities in this exciting industry. or, if you are ready to get started with your remote job search, you can browse the largest industry job listing in ed tech here. simply set \u201Clocation\u201D to remote. at the time of this post\u2019s writing, we are sharing over 2,000 remote-friendly ed tech positions. are ed tech companies hiring remotely? in short, the answer is yes. in fact, the ed tech industry has been at the forefront of developing some of the technologies needed to make remote work and education possible. it\u2019s strange to think that just a few years ago, many professionals had barely heard of video-conferencing software like zoom and microsoft teams. now, they are a daily part of working life for so many of us. the need for socially distanced working solutions in the wake of covid forced employers to adapt, leveraging these emerging technologies to enable a work-from-home model that few would have thought possible just a few years prior. just like the private sector, the education system also had to quickly adapt to the need for remote education delivery as schools were closed during the height of the covid pandemic. in this way, the ed tech industry has always been uniquely positioned at the front lines of the massive, society-wide effort to adapt to a new, remote model for work and education, almost overnight. of course, with the pandemic receding, more and more companies have been able to safely return to in-office work. for some employers, there is simply no substitute for the collaboration and idea-sharing that can be facilitated by in-person work. there will always be companies and positions that are simply not well suited to working from home. however, many employers have also come to recognize that remote employees can provide exceptional value, all while allowing them to control costs for office space and draw on talent from much broader geographies. for these reasons, remote work is here to stay. highfive partners runs the largest job platform in the ed tech industry, which currently offers a number of remote opportunities (with new ones being added every week). our team can personally attest that a desire to work remotely is no obstacle to a great career in ed tech. why is the ed tech industry a good place to look for remote work? the ed tech industry is inherently focused on tech-forward solutions, and many of its employers are more open to remote working arrangements than companies in other industries that are less experienced with digital collaboration. many organizations in the ed tech industry are working to advance equity and accessibility in education, and they recognize that remote learning solutions have a key role to play in improving access for a wide variety of students and adult learners. this awareness means ed tech employers are more likely to recognize how remote positions can offer more equitable access to employment as well. the ed tech industry features a diversity of firms ranging from agile startups to large global enterprises. the diversity of working environments makes it easier to find an employer who offers a strong fit and openness to remote work. learn more about ed tech companies hiring remotely if you are interested in the ed tech industry and prefer or require remote work, we are here to help! we offer the largest industry-specific job listing in ed tech, which highlights the diverse array of opportunities in this industry--many of them remote-friendly. if you are just getting started learning about the ed tech industry, our blog here is a great place to start. we explain the basics of this industry and a few reasons why the team at highfive thinks it can be an exceptional place to start or advance a rewarding career." }, { "title":"Continuous Learning and Professional Development for Careers in Ed Tech", "body":"The Ed Tech industry is relatively young, growing fast, and in a state of constant change. With its focus on lifelong education, it is also a space that puts a unique premium on personal growth, continuous learning, and skill building. In this blog, I wanted to share a few thoughts on effective professional development practices in Ed Tech. Keep reading to find some recommended resources...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/continuous-learning-and-professional-development-for-careers-in-ed-tech", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"08-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/bigstock-Startup-Business-People-Group--251096971.jpg", "topics":{ "ed-tech":"Ed Tech","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"08 <span>apr</span>, 2024continuous learning and professional development for careers in ed tech ed tech,find work highfive partners the ed tech industry is relatively young, growing fast, and in a state of constant change. with its focus on lifelong education, it is also a space that puts a unique premium on personal growth, continuous learning, and skill building. in this blog, i wanted to share a few thoughts on effective professional development practices in ed tech. keep reading to find some recommended resources and tips for keeping up in this incredibly dynamic space. continuous learning and professional development can help you thrive in your current role\u2014and your next one at its core, professional development is all about \u201Ccracking the nut\u201D in your current position and finding new ways to solve business challenges in ways that create lasting value for the business. beyond your immediate position, i also think it\u2019s crucial to \u201Cthink big\u201D about professional development. in addition to keeping up with the latest developments in your specialty area (both in ed tech and adjacent industries), i recommend devoting some time to reading about general industry trends and developments. keeping up with the latest news and priorities in ed tech is important for not just staying on top of your current job requirements, but understanding where your career might go next. recommended resources for continuous learning in the ed tech industry the resources below are some of my favorite choices for keeping pace with ed tech industry news. they include industry publications, broader publications that often feature ed tech-related topics, and a few individual thought leaders. ed tech publications educationweek ed tech magazine t.h.e. (technical horizons in education) journal edtech digest eschool news general education publications the chronicle of higher education k12 dive education week campus technology magazine the 74 million newsletters and individual thought leaders gsv n2k newsletter the hechinger report josh bersin the gap letter from achieve partners gates notes dash media gsv big 10 newsletter four tips for professional development in ed tech 1. network to learn and grow professionals sometimes treat \u201Cnetworking\u201D and \u201Cprofessional development\u201D as separate tools for career development, but they could not be more closely intertwined. there is no better way to learn about the latest industry developments than from knowledgeable peers, and there is no better way to network than genuinely communicating with peers about urgent challenges. for a deeper look at how to leverage networking in your ed tech journey, read our guide to networking for careers in ed tech. 2. interview for information (and jobs) you don\u2019t need to apply for a job to interview! a natural extension of the first tip, interviewing for information is a great way to connect with peers (both within ed tech and other industries). for those unfamiliar, this refers to a structured conversation designed to help a professional learn more about a given industry, company, and focus area. eliminating the evaluation aspect of job interviews can make for a much more natural, easygoing conversation. and keeping your interview muscles trained is a great way to be ready when your dream job does come along (learn more in our ed tech interview tips). 3. follow thought leaders inside and outside your niche whether it's following a thought leader on linkedin, reading their blog, or setting a google news alert, systematically following the true thought leaders in your space is indispensable for understanding how the industry is shifting. this information may be helpful for general continuous learning while also providing useful insights for your career: what job functions are shifting or being consolidated? what new job functions are emerging and what skills do they require? 4. keep track of the industry\u2019s evolving needs by following thought leaders, keeping up with industry publications, and even browsing job listings, you can keep your ear to the ground and learn what companies need most. if your skillset is in hot demand, now may be an ideal team to seek a promotion (with your current employer, or a new one) or negotiate a pay raise. if you see signs that your specialty area is in less demand, now might be a great time to invest in developing some targeted new skills. finding your niche in ed tech can be a huge boost to your long-term career, and a nuanced understanding of industry needs is the best way to learn how your niche fits into the broader competitive landscape of the industry. learn more about building your ed tech career at its core, the ed tech industry is all about enabling growth from \u201Ccradle to gray,\u201D and in my experience, professionals will be rewarded for living these same values in their own careers. taking the time to truly engage with the industry can directly enhance your value to ed tech companies, provide insight into the best moves for your own career, and ultimately shed a light on how to most effectively align your personal development priorities with the industry\u2019s long-term needs. ready to learn more about building a career in ed tech? get started with our guide to understanding ed tech." }, { "title":"Building Your Interview \u201CMuscle\u201D for Roles in Ed Tech", "body":"Nothing is more important for making a connection with a potential employer than the job interview. Many candidates have the understandable urge to prepare detailed answers for every possible interview question. But acing an interview isn\u2019t so much about being ready to answer a laundry list of questions with perfect, pre-prepared answers, but about telling an effective story while gather...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/building-your-interview-muscle-for-roles-in-ed-tech", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"04-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/bigstock-Business-People-Waiting-For-Jo-91397393.jpg", "topics":{ "recruiting-tips":"Recruiting Tips","ed-tech":"Ed Tech","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"04 <span>apr</span>, 2024building your interview \u201Cmuscle\u201D for roles in ed tech recruiting tips,ed tech,find work highfive partners nothing is more important for making a connection with a potential employer than the job interview. many candidates have the understandable urge to prepare detailed answers for every possible interview question. but acing an interview isn\u2019t so much about being ready to answer a laundry list of questions with perfect, pre-prepared answers, but about telling an effective story while gathering valuable career knowledge. this article provides some practical tips for doing just that. based on my experience as an executive recruiter who has worked to personally prepare hundreds of ed tech leaders for interviews, the approach outlined below is all about broadening how we think about job interviews. job interviews should be approached not as one-off job search requirements, but as a continuous resource for networking, knowledge gathering, and professional development in your career. a different mindset for job interviews of course, ed tech is an incredibly diverse industry, and the interview process for a programmer will look very different from that of a finance professional, curriculum designer, or sales leader. candidates will benefit from proactively researching the latest trends and interview questions in their respective fields, but in my experience, it can be all too easy for candidates to obsess over memorizing rote answers to lists of common interview questions found online. detailed preparation is important, but granular details should never distract you from what is most important in the interview process: telling a compelling, coherent story while connecting through a genuine human dialogue with your interviewer. i like to compare an effective job interview to a movie trailer: you have just 30 minutes to convince the interviewer that they want to \u201Csee the whole movie.\u201D and while you can\u2019t possibly communicate your entire story and skillset in a brief trailer, you can provide a highly compelling portrait of your abilities, purpose, and passions. four tips for getting more out of job interviews in your ed tech career the four strategies outlined below are about more than just prepping for your next interview. to truly get the most out of job interviews, they should be approached as ongoing career resources that are invaluable for keeping up with the latest industry developments. 1. interviewing is a muscle. train it through practice. job interviewing is a skill that can be learned but is not often practiced in most job functions. for that reason, the average candidate has an interview \u201Cmuscle\u201D that hasn\u2019t been exercised. you need not become a master job interviewer to avoid one of the biggest mistakes a candidate can make: waiting for their dream job only to be stymied by their first interview in many years. the single best way to exercise this muscle? going on job interviews! i recognize that most people don\u2019t have time to go on frivolous job interviews just to practice. but as the remainder of the tips in this list illustrate, job interviews are not just application requirements, but unique opportunities to gather firsthand knowledge of the ed tech industry\u2014and your place in it. 2. leverage interviews to gather valuable career intel. job interviews are an incredibly unique opportunity to learn from professionals at companies across the industry, and i recommend using this opportunity to learn as much as possible. are your skills still relevant in the industry? what do you know that\u2019s valuable, and what gaps could you address to truly stand out in the industry? interviews are a fantastic way to find meaningful answers to these questions while building your network in the ed tech industry\u2014even if a company doesn\u2019t hire you for a given role, they may keep you in mind for a future need. 3. learn about your interviewer and their company culture beforehand to ask compelling questions. if your job interview is a movie trailer, a crucial first step is to know your audience. take the time to learn about the company\u2019s priorities and culture. every company has different nuances to what they look for in a candidate, and understanding a company\u2019s core cultural tenets is the best foundation for aligning your own message. you need not make an intense study of every company where you interview, but it is critical to learn enough to be able to ask compelling questions. being equipped to ask great questions in an interview will help you learn something from the process, and the questions you choose to ask can also help illustrate your value system to the interviewer. 4. craft a compelling narrative about why you want to work in ed tech. as i discussed above, storytelling is at the heart of every effective interview. but i think this is uniquely true in the ed tech industry, which has so many individuals who are attracted to its purposeful work and diverse mix of mission-driven companies. in this context, strive to tell a compelling story about your values, your sense of purpose, and why you are passionate about the ed-tech industry. learn more about working in ed tech whether you are a new graduate or an experienced professional, the right interviewing strategy can help secure a great role while building your knowledge about this unique industry. if you are ready to take the next steps in your ed tech career, highfive partners is here to help. ready to learn more about building a career in ed tech? get started with our guide to understanding ed tech." }, { "title":"Crafting Your Application for Roles in Ed Tech", "body":"Ready to get started applying for an Ed Tech industry position? The tips below will help showcase your skills and experience, demonstrate your knowledge of the industry, and find a position that aligns with your personal goals. Five Tips for Applying to Jobs in Education Technology As a first step, always take the time to see who you might know at a given company. A personal relationship...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/crafting-your-application-for-roles-in-ed-tech", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"04-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/brooke-cagle-xcgh5_-QIXc-unsplash.jpg", "topics":{ "recruiting-tips":"Recruiting Tips","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"04 <span>apr</span>, 2024crafting your application for roles in ed tech recruiting tips,find work highfive partners ready to get started applying for an ed tech industry position? the tips below will help showcase your skills and experience, demonstrate your knowledge of the industry, and find a position that aligns with your personal goals. five tips for applying to jobs in education technology as a first step, always take the time to see who you might know at a given company. a personal relationship is always the best possible way to get the inside scoop and begin building connections with an organization. whether or not you can find a past acquaintance with a relevant connection, the following five steps can help find the right positions and develop an application that stands out: start with a great resume. developing a quality resume is an important first step for doing your achievements justice when applying for a job in ed tech. it\u2019s important that your resume provides accurate, specific information about your background, experience, and education. but it\u2019s also critical to avoid getting lost in the weeds\u2014the single most important goal when developing an impactful resume is a cohesive overall narrative. we take a deeper look at how to leverage this unique opportunity to define your narritive in our ed tech resume guide. don\u2019t neglect your cover letter. if your resume is a good opportunity to define your narrative, a cover letter is a great one! yet all too often, candidates feel uncertain about how to use a cover letter and resort to a rote, form letter that says little more than \u201Cplease find my resume attached.\u201D if an employer requests a cover letter, make use of this opportunity to its fullest potential by explaining unique life or career experiences that are difficult to capture on your resume, contextualizing an unconventional career path or educational background, or substantiating your reasons for pursuing a role in the ed tech industry. whenever possible, avoid addressing your cover letter to a generic \u201Cto whom it may concern\u201D and try to find the name of the relevant hiring manager. this small extra effort can help personalize your application and demonstrate your attention to detail. exhibit a clear sense of purpose. the most important factor when applying for an ed tech position is your fit in terms of skills and experience. that said, the ed tech industry is full of professionals who are passionate about their mission and eager to work with like-minded colleagues. taking the time to clearly articulate your interest in ed tech and detail your sense of purpose will help find an organization that provides a cultural fit (and can help your application stand out from the crowd). find the right niche. while ed tech\u2019s many companies share a common mission to advance education at all ages, the industry is incredibly diverse. ed tech organizations are doing everything from designing educational video games, to crafting hardware solutions for disabled students, to designing \u201Csmart building\u201D solutions for school facilities. if your applications so far haven\u2019t proved successful, or you are finding job postings that don\u2019t seem to be the right fit for your skills, you may simply be looking in the wrong niche. while one ed tech organization may prize former primary school teachers, another may be desperate for professionals who are familiar, for example, with continuing education in the finance industry. some are open to new graduates, while others require industry experience. doing some upfront work to pinpoint the right niche for your skills, interests, and experience can help you understand the roles where your application is most likely to be successful. take the time to understand the industry. ed tech is truly unique, and it\u2019s impossible to know how to optimize your application if you don\u2019t have some fundamental knowledge of the industry\u2019s major segments, biggest trends, and latest developments. take the time to follow some leading industry publications and professional leaders in your specialty area on social media. pay attention to what\u2019s most important to industry leaders, the language they use, and which companies are looking to scale up their operations. all of this information will be invaluable when crafting your next job application. ready to learn more about ed tech 101? read on in our guide to understanding ed tech. how to find a job in ed tech there are so many great reasons to work in ed tech, and now is a great time to be joining this exciting, rapidly evolving industry. if you are ready to start exploring specific opportunities, the highfive jobs platform is a great place to get started. we currently feature over 15,000 jobs from 950+ companies, with new positions being added every week. even if you aren\u2019t ready to start submitting applications today, signing up is a great way to begin learning what ed tech employers are looking for, who is hiring, and which opportunities could be the right fit for your career goals." }, { "title":"Networking for Careers in Ed Tech", "body":"The right approach to networking is incredibly helpful for building connections in the interdisciplinary, rapidly changing world of Ed Tech. In this article, we take a closer look at what makes networking unique in Ed Tech and some practical tips for engaging with the Ed Tech community. What Makes Networking Unique in Ed Tech? Just about every professional recognizes that networking is i...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/networking-for-careers-in-ed-tech", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"04-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/IMG_Turbo_Vanadyl/HFP%20Hero%20Overlay%20Black.png", "topics":{ "recruiting-tips":"Recruiting Tips","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"04 <span>apr</span>, 2024networking for careers in ed tech recruiting tips,find work highfive partners the right approach to networking is incredibly helpful for building connections in the interdisciplinary, rapidly changing world of ed tech. in this article, we take a closer look at what makes networking unique in ed tech and some practical tips for engaging with the ed tech community. what makes networking unique in ed tech? just about every professional recognizes that networking is important. the relationships we make along the way are critical to shaping our careers, finding new opportunities, and connecting with like-minded colleagues with shared passions. but what makes networking in ed tech unique? here are some important factors to consider. ed tech is interdisciplinary. this context creates unique value for building connections with colleagues with different skills, perspectives, and experiences. ed tech brings together colleagues from diverse backgrounds. networking is important for nurturing a shared understanding and knowledge base between industry professionals that come from everywhere from wall street to early education. ed tech is a relatively young industry that lacks the well-trodden career paths associated with longer-standing spaces in the market. consequently, many ed tech companies rely on professional networks to find the right talent. for all of these reasons, taking the time to proactively develop your ed tech network is important for finding your niche, learning about new career opportunities, and expanding your exposure to a multitude of industry perspectives. everyone has their own reasons for working in the ed tech industry, but ed tech professionals are commonly differentiated by their specific passion for this field. while a robust vertical all its own, ed tech is still a comparatively niche industry, and many of its professionals deliberately sought out this unique intersection of technology and socially impactful work. in our experience, this leads to a culture that is eager to encourage those who are interested in following a similar path. of course, networking practices and priorities will look very different if you already work in the ed tech industry, or you are considering how to transition into ed tech. networking while working in ed tech for professionals already in the ed tech industry, a great first step is to proactively ask more experienced colleagues in your own organization for advice and\/or mentorship. what would they have done differently in their own careers? what new skills are becoming relevant? which companies are really taking leadership in the industry? it is also important to proactively build connections outside of your immediate organization. participating in linkedin groups and professional associations can be a great start. next, while it requires a bit more planning, traveling to attend some leading industry conferences is a great way to take your networking to the next level. a conference can be a great place to make new contacts, share your own organization\u2019s message, demonstrate your passion for the industry, and learn about the latest trends and developments. in many cases, in-conference presentations and training sessions can even provide knowledge with tangible value for your current role. some leading options include: sxsw edu asu gsv summit iste ed tech week educause networking to transition to ed tech networking is always more challenging when you are new to an industry, and ed tech is no exception. that said, ed tech professionals are passionate about their work and, in our experience, incredibly welcoming to those who want to learn more about the industry. whether you are a new college graduate or a professional from another industry looking to make a transition, our number one recommendation is to network with a purpose. for example, linkedin can be an appropriate place to reach out to professionals in your field, but simply adding random connections is rarely a constructive strategy. instead of \u201Cnetworking for networking\u2019s sake,\u201D leverage techniques like informational interviewing to genuinely engage. avoid reaching out with messages like: \u201Ci want to expand my network in ed tech, let me know if you are open to chatting!\u201D instead, try a more purposeful message such as: \u201Ci am a software development [student\/professional] eager to learn more about where my skills could be most helpful in ed tech. if you have some free time, i would love to hear your perspective on the best way to transition into the industry.\u201D \u201Cat the top of my list of goals is to reconnect with smart people who i know have navigated through transitions. might you have 15 minutes to chat?\u201D if you are considering a career transition and need help getting the lay of the land, start with our guide to understanding the ed tech industry. where to find the best ed tech jobs if you are interested in finding a new role in the ed tech industry, highfive partners is here to help. we invite you to explore the largest dedicated jobs platform for the ed tech industry here. featuring over 15,000 jobs from 950+ companies, our collection of opportunities features roles for c-suite executives, mid-career professionals, and new college graduates. even if you aren\u2019t ready for a new position now, keeping up with the latest listings is a great way to explore where the ed tech community could most benefit from your talents and experience." }, { "title":"Working in Ed Tech: How to Identify Your Niche and Build Relevant Skills", "body":"Finding the right niche is the best way to set the stage for long-term success in Ed Tech. In this article, we walk through some practical tips for finding a niche that leverages your skills, aligns with your personal goals, and ultimately sets the stage for a rewarding career. Why Niches are Critical for Careers in Ed Tech Different educational settings, demographics, and market segment...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/working-in-ed-tech-how-to-identify-your-niche-and-build-relevant-skills", "author":"HighFive Partners", "publish_date":"04-<span>Apr<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/highfive-partners", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/getty-images-6o8BtecGXYs-unsplash.jpg", "topics":{ "recruiting-tips":"Recruiting Tips","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"04 <span>apr</span>, 2024working in ed tech: how to identify your niche and build relevant skills recruiting tips,find work highfive partners finding the right niche is the best way to set the stage for long-term success in ed tech. in this article, we walk through some practical tips for finding a niche that leverages your skills, aligns with your personal goals, and ultimately sets the stage for a rewarding career. why niches are critical for careers in ed tech different educational settings, demographics, and market segments have unique challenges, and the ed tech industry is working to answer the call with a huge variety of solutions. the ed tech industry is incredibly diverse in terms of: professional background: ed tech organizations include professionals with past backgrounds as teachers, silicon valley startup founders, finance industry programmers, and many many more. target markets: ed tech markets range from \u201Czero to gray\u201D (all the way from early childhood education to continuing education for seniors), and these different markets demand very different approaches for sales, marketing, product development, and more. products and services: some ed tech companies are effectively focused on software development, while others are intimately involved with ground-level operations at schools and other educational institutions. this diversity provides an incredible array of choices for ed tech professionals, and it is one of many great reasons to pursue a career in this exciting industry. but with so many different types of companies and roles available, it can also feel incredibly challenging to pinpoint an ideal career niche. how to find your niche in the ed tech industry everyone\u2019s career priorities are different, and it is possible to define your niche based on either skills (\u201Ci want to leverage my mastery of product development to support education software\u201D) or specific focus areas (\u201Cmy mission is to work for companies that develop solutions for neurodivergent students\u201D). a few proactive steps can help you find the right niche for your own skills, goals, and career priorities. take the time to understand ed tech. educate yourself on the industry landscape, the flow of investment, and the different products and services marketed by ed tech companies. this industry is truly unique, and you may identify niches that you didn\u2019t even know existed! define why you want to work in ed tech and prioritize your professional goals. whether you are looking to make an impact, work on a particular issue, or find a remote position, ed tech offers many possibilities. doing this planning upfront can help narrow your focus to the companies that are best aligned with your career goals. assess your career skills\u2012past and future. your current career skills provide a foundation for understanding where you can provide exceptional value to ed tech organizations. at the same time, the culture of ed tech encourages professional development, and this industry can be a fantastic place to learn new skills, pivot into new areas of business, and develop a more holistic skillset over time. work to identify a niche that rewards your current skills while providing opportunities to grow in the areas that matter most to you. 5 tips for targeting and nurturing the right skills for ed tech as we discussed above, understanding and leveraging your skillset is important for finding a niche that can lead to a long and rewarding career. don\u2019t ignore valuable skills that you already have. the ed tech industry has a valued place for a wide range of skills, from financial management to curriculum design. while it can be easy to focus on ed tech-specific skills, the industry has a robust need for professionals in finance, marketing, sales, programming, product development, management, and many more. even if you plan to pivot to a new area of focus over the long term, your current skills will provide a valuable launching pad. leverage job listings as career roadmaps. not sure what skills would be required for your dream job in ed tech? job postings are a great place to start. if you aren't qualified for a given position just yet, use the skills and experiences it requires as a concrete goalpost for targeting your next career move. because they provide invaluable context on how different skills and backgrounds are valued in the ed tech industry, keeping up with job listings can be a useful habit even when you aren\u2019t planning on a near-term career move.our industry-specific jobs platform is a great place to start. keep pace with emerging trends. ed tech evolves at an incredible pace, and new developments can quickly shift the industry\u2019s emphasis on given skill sets. today, for example, ed tech companies are eager for candidates with any ai-related experience. while not every industry trend will be so high-profile, keeping up with industry publications is a great way to understand where ed tech is headed next. develop your network and seek feedback. building a professional network is crucial for skill building in ed tech because it can provide access to ground-level knowledge of industry needs, collaborative skill-building opportunities, and feedback on your current mix of skills. what\u2019s the best way to build your network in ed tech? learn more in our guide here. focus on opportunities for professional development. in ed tech, prioritizing professional development opportunities is important for staying competitive and evolving alongside the industry. workshops, conferences, online courses, and other resources can not only enhance skills but also provide networking opportunities. interested in tips on ed tech professional development? we recommend some resources in our guide here. learn more about working in ed tech by understanding the diverse landscape of ed tech, defining your career goals, and assessing your skills, you can pinpoint a niche that aligns with your passions and expertise--one of the best ways to shape a highly rewarding career. whether you are a new college graduate just exploring your options or an experienced professional, ed tech offers options for taking your career to the next level. ready to learn more? get started with our comprehensive guide to understanding ed tech." }, { "title":"An Ed Tech Resume Guide", "body":"Considering applying for a position in the Ed Tech industry? In this article, we explain why including the right elements, being specific, and effective storytelling are important for developing a resume that does your career accomplishments justice while providing an accurate, informative asset for recruiters and hiring managers. The resume screenshots below have been anonymized and are...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/ed-tech-resume-guide", "author":"Teresa Chung", "publish_date":"13-<span>Mar<\/span>-2024", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/teresa-chung", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/Man%20writing%20curriculum%20vitae%20at%20his%20desk.jpeg", "topics":{ "recruiting-tips":"Recruiting Tips","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"13 <span>mar</span>, 2024an ed tech resume guide recruiting tips,find work teresa chung considering applying for a position in the ed tech industry? in this article, we explain why including the right elements, being specific, and effective storytelling are important for developing a resume that does your career accomplishments justice while providing an accurate, informative asset for recruiters and hiring managers. the resume screenshots below have been anonymized and are for illustrative purposes only. ed tech resume: an opportunity to define your narrative before i dive into some more specific tips, i think it\u2019s important to set the stage for why i think each of the recommendations below is important. a job search can be a stressful time, and many candidates understandably approach resume-building from a position of anxiety. many people simply don\u2019t know what \u201Cshould\u201D be on their resume, and a few hours spent on google can leave individuals with 100 different ideas about what needs to be included. in practice, this can lead to resumes that function as laundry lists of disparate elements without providing any coherent narrative. i think this is the single most important idea to keep in your mind when developing your resume: narrative. it can be too easy to approach a resume as a merely factual document, a list of evidence that will be evaluated on its merits. the fact is, however, that busy recruiters and\/or hiring managers will likely not have the time to go over each resume with a fine-toothed comb. in many cases, they will have only a few minutes to glean the story of your whole career. in this context, it is critical to think about how you can leverage each element of your resume to tell the story that you want to be told. ed tech resume objective statements or summaries are the launching pad for a strong narrative by objective statement, i mean this section near the top of the resume. it is all too common to see resumes that treat this section as an afterthought. but i argue that it is likely the most important section on the entire resume. first, it is one of two substantive sections that is likely to be the first thing reviewed by a recruiter or hiring manager (the other are keywords, see the next tip below). as such, this statement is an opportunity to define how the rest of your resume will be read, address any potential complications upfront, and provide immediate proof that your resume is thoughtfully crafted. second, the objective statement is your strongest opportunity to articulate the \u201Cwhy\u201D underpinning your application and highlight nuances that may not come out of your experience or education questions from a quick scan. i recommend never wasting this objective statement with a generic sentence about \u201Can experienced professional seeking a job in the xyz industry.\u201D instead, use it to establish the themes that you want readers to see across your experience and education. skills and accomplishments keywords matter different resume guides may refer to this section as the \u201Cskills\u201D or \u201Caccomplishments\u201D portion. today, it is critical to understand that the terms used in this part of the resume are likely to function as \u201Ckeywords\u201D as well. recruiters and hiring managers increasingly make use of digital tools for searching, filtering, and automatically extracting key data from submitted resumes. and in many cases, featuring specific keywords can be the key to advancing through this process. even for resumes being reviewed by humans, specific keywords (particularly those expressed in bold-faced headings early in the resume) are likely to be one of the first filtering mechanisms employed. of course, a concise resume only has space to list a half-dozen or so key attributes in this area at most, so prioritization matters. i recommend avoiding generic keywords to focus on the sort of rare or mission-critical skills that are most likely to be used as filtering criteria. consider the example below. just about every resume for a management-level position will include words like \u201Cleadership\u201D; these terms may be an important part of your story, but they are not likely to be employed as a keyword filtering criterion. but consider a company seeking a product management executive for a role focused on finding new revenue streams for defunct ip; in this case, including a term like \u201Cintellectual property\u201D is far more likely to help this resume stand out to a recruiter (or resume filtering algorithm). be specific! being specific on your resume is another extension of controlling your own narrative. if you have an employment gap, abrupt career transition, or other notable blip on your resume, i almost always recommend taking the time to proactively explain. in almost every case, a recruiter or hiring manager will notice these things, and candidates rarely do themselves any favors with ambiguity. list specific start and end dates for employment when necessary. if you worked in a position from december 2016 to january 2018, don\u2019t write something like \u201C2016-2018\u201D that implies you accrued three years of experience. recruiters and hiring managers do their own background research, and such statements can come off as vague at best, and dishonest at worst. don\u2019t assume the reader has heard of your past employers. a name that is widely respected in one industry might not be recognized in another, and you should never assume that your reader will be familiar with your past employers. a brief, factual employer description is a great way to bring out the most important facts. use data and numbers to support your accomplishments. quantitative statements are a great way to give weight to your claims and concretely demonstrate past performance. learn more about jobs in ed tech resumes are a particularly important tool in an industry like ed tech, which is defined by diverse backgrounds, skills, and roles, and the tips above can go a long way toward helping your resume stand out for a role that is well suited for your goals and abilities. if you are interested in learning more about a career in ed tech, this article takes a deeper look at the benefits of working in this exciting space. or, if you are interested in browsing open positions, we invite you to explore the largest dedicated jobs platform for the ed tech industry here." }, { "title":"6 Reasons to Consider Working in Ed Tech", "body":"Is a career in Ed Tech right for you? The industry offers a unique opportunity to make an impact, develop valuable career skills, and shape the future of education. In this blog, we take a look at six reasons why professionals from a broad variety of backgrounds should consider a career in Ed Tech. Why Ed Tech? A Unique and Impactful Industry Ed Tech, short for education technology, incl...", "post_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/6-reasons-to-consider-working-in-ed-tech", "author":"Teresa Chung", "publish_date":"27-<span>Jun<\/span>-2025", "author_url":"https://www.highfivepartners.com/blog/author/teresa-chung", "featured_image":"https://5532803.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/5532803/Portrait%20of%20a%20happy%20young%20woman%20sitting%20on%20the%20city%20stairs%20and%20using%20laptop%20computer%20outdoors.jpeg", "topics":{ "ed-tech":"Ed Tech","find-work":"Find Work" }, "search":"27 <span>jun</span>, 20256 reasons to consider working in ed tech ed tech,find work teresa chung is a career in ed tech right for you? the industry offers a unique opportunity to make an impact, develop valuable career skills, and shape the future of education. in this blog, we take a look at six reasons why professionals from a broad variety of backgrounds should consider a career in ed tech. why ed tech? a unique and impactful industry ed tech, short for education technology, includes products and services ranging from gamified learning apps, to in-classroom hardware, to comprehensive online platforms for fully remote degree programs. the industry includes employers ranging from early-stage startups to large global enterprises. with such diversity, not every ed tech company will offer the same working environment, and it's important to consider what sort of position is right for your personal skills and priorities. but we can identify some common benefits that apply to positions throughout the ed tech industry. reason 1: impactful work with a social mission professionals are giving more and more weight to social impact when weighing their career choices. harvard business review reports that 9 out of 10 people are willing to earn less to do more meaningful work. the ed tech industry offers a path to pursuing impactful work while earning competitive compensation and developing in-demand skills. in this context, the ed tech industry can be an extraordinary opportunity for professionals coming from a diverse set of backgrounds. for those with a technology background, ed tech offers the opportunity to harness their skills in pursuit of a more focused social mission. for teachers and educational administrators, ed tech offers an opportunity to take a more strategic, high-level role in driving change. reason 2: an opportunity to shape the future of education today\u2019s classrooms are full of computers, and the covid crisis vividly demonstrated the value of remote learning platforms for making instruction accessible in the most challenging of circumstances. from online courses to personalized instruction solutions that can help tailor school curricula to individual student needs, there is little doubt that ed tech will be central to the future of education. a career in ed tech provides an opportunity to be at the forefront of efforts to transform traditional education models to be more effective, inclusive, and equitable. reason 3: collaboration with like-minded colleagues from diverse professional backgrounds ed tech is a diverse industry, full of programmers, policy experts, former teachers, former educational administrators, ui\/ux designers, marketers, and sales professionals, to name just a few. working in ed tech is an opportunity to break out of traditional professional silos, expand your network, and work alongside interesting colleagues with shared passions. many professionals from adjacent industries like health tech, gaming, fintech, and more, have successfully pivoted to become a valued part of the ed tech ecosystem. reason 4: a dynamic, innovative industry ideal for professional development in terms of career development, ed tech is a great way to build flexible skills that are valued across many different industries, from tech, to nonprofits, to public policy. new technologies, approaches, and trends are emerging all the time in the ed tech industry, which is precisely why it's a great place to develop a career that encourages continuous learning, offers flexible future career paths, and is closely tied to emerging technologies like ai. a survey by the (technological horizons in education journal) shows that generative ai is the number one priority for ed tech leaders in 2025, as schools lead the way with ai innovations ranging from gpt-based tutors to personalized lesson planning. reason 5: remote opportunities with global reach more and more employers across a number of industries are offering options for working remotely, and ed tech is no exception. while every role is different, and some positions will require in-person work, a desire for remote opportunities is not an obstacle to finding a fulfilling ed tech position. remote work has also removed traditional barriers to job opportunities that cross international borders. ed tech is a truly global industry, and many companies market services and solutions for international education, language learning, and other areas where an international background may provide additional value. our 2024 ed tech compensation survey reveals ed tech's continued leadership in this space: approximately 78% of industry professionals surveyed work remotely, with 17% working in a hybrid setting and only 5% in the company office. reason 6: strong long-term growth prospects that can weather economic dips \u201Cthe value of the global ed tech market in 2021 was $106.46 billion, and it\u2019s just the beginning. from 2022 to 2030, this market is expected to grow annually by 16.5% and is expected to expand 2.5 times from 2019 to 2025, up to $404 billion in 2025.\u201D - forbes report on the future of edtech of course, no industry is immune to broader economic conditions, but the ed tech industry has already proven that it has not only outstanding growth potential but the ability to weather economic storms. we take a deeper look at ed tech companies hiring despite the \u201Cinvestment cliff\u201D in tech in our blog here. longer term, the need for new technological solutions in education is not going anywhere, and the ed tech industry can be a great place to build a stable career without worrying about the latest gyrations of the stock market. learn more about ed tech careers of course, no industry is immune to broader economic conditions, but the ed tech industry has already proven that it has not only outstanding growth potential but the ability to weather economic storms. we explore companies hiring despite the \u201Cinvestment cliff\u201D in tech in our blog here. longer term, the need for new technological solutions in education is not going anywhere, and the ed tech industry can be a great place to build a stable career without worrying about the latest gyrations of the stock market. sign up now: launch your ed tech career" } ];