Networking

If your job search is running a little dry, “Network, network, network!” suggests recent music education graduate and MENC member Meredith Higgins. “If you have ‘allies’ in the district you hope to work in, it will be easier to get your foot in the door for those open jobs.”

Possible contacts include:

• College ensemble conductors
• Music store staff
• Other music teachers, former teachers, field experience mentors
• Other students, recent graduates, friends
• Principals and other public school administrators you have met while student teaching
• Relatives in other cities
• Studio teachers

“Send each of your contacts a brief e-mail or call them to let them know you're looking for a job. Make sure they know how to reach you if they hear of any openings,” says Barbara Payne McLain in A Career Guide for Music Education.

Creating a Portfolio

As you’re searching, gather your materials from student teaching and prepare a professional portfolio. Member Katie McCormick suggests including a philosophy of teaching, experience, lesson plans, assignments, exams, evaluations, and professional development. Higgins recommends virtual portfolios or Web sites: “With an online file, you will only have to carry around copies of your resume and business cards, while administrators can look through your portfolio at their own pace.” Learn more about eportfolios

Discuss this article

Part 1: Getting Started on Your Search

Part 3: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Applications—Oh, My!

Part 4: Acing Your Interview

Part 5: Interview Dos and Don'ts

Part 6: Preparing for Your First Year of Teaching

References

Meredith Higgins is a recent music education graduate from Indiana University-Bloomington. She recently accepted a position teaching music to elementary students at the International School of Trieste in Italy for one year.

McLain, Barbara Payne. A Career Guide for Music Education, 2nd Ed.

--Anne Wagener, June 17, 2008, © MENC: The National Association for Music Education