The Changing Space of Education

Ben Krusling is a Senior Educational Consultant at Apolish, an online education center for Chinese students. He graduated from Columbia University in 2012 with a degree in English Literature and currently lives in Brooklyn.

So: you’re a student looking for internships and jobs, but not sure which field you want to enter? For today’s more globally-minded students, especially at NYU, the school with the largest population of international students in the U.S., the education industry might be the place for you.

The number of international students studying in the U.S. is increasing annually.

As data from the Institute of International Education indicates, “in 2014/15, international students [studying in the US] increased 10% over the prior year, the highest rate of growth since 1975/76.” More specifically, 974,926 were enrolled in U.S. institutions of learning last year. Compare that to about 886,000 the year before and about 724,000 a few years before that, we can see that more and more students are studying abroad.

These international students are coming from different educational and cultural backgrounds and many are learning to read, write, and speak English as a second (or third, or fourth!) language. Many of these students need help navigating the American educational system, improving their writing skills, receiving supplemental tutoring and services, and more.

What does that mean for you prospective jobseekers? It means that many opportunities are opening up in the education sector to help support and tutor all of these students in their studies.

Not only are their numbers increasing, but these students are coming from all over the world and from an increasing variety of countries.

Data from the Wall Street Journal indicates that, while over 50% of students come from just five countries–China (31% of all international students), India (14%), South Korea (7%), Saudi Arabia (6%), and Canada (3%)—there are still thousands of students from countries like Brazil (2%), Vietnam (2%), and Mexico (2%). In the last few years, these students have added over $30 billion to the U.S. economy.

Some educational companies work exclusively with students from one of these countries and many educational companies from those countries have opened American offices. As a result, there are often opportunities for employees at these companies to travel on behalf of their employer to work with students in their countries of origins while still being based in a major city like New York.

Technology and the internet are drastically changing the way private tutors and educators can help their students.

In today’s global world, companies are increasingly innovating new online platforms and programs to help reach students, no matter where they are. Online classes and seminars are becoming more common as are remote video conferences with students and clients.

Historically, the education industry has been quite slow to adopt new trends and adapt to the opportunities that new technology offers. The rise of organizations like Khan Academy and others have accelerated this new trend and also innovated the idea of a “flipped classroom,” where students watch lecture material at home and spend class time on discussing the material and doing activities.

What does that mean for you? It means the educational industry is a great place for those interested in innovation and flexibility, in the digital humanities, and in finding new ways to connect with students and educators around the world.

Interested in education, international opportunities, and startups? Check out Apolish to learn more about our company and look at our open part-time and full-time positions.