Higher Education Administration

If you’re the kind of person who dreams of staying in college forever, a job in higher education might be your calling. Higher ed jobs include everything from administrative roles to finance gigs and IT work. For example, you could work in a student loan office, in the library, or on the campus maintenance team. There are also diverse employment options, from traditional four-year colleges and universities to technical schools and community colleges. You don’t even have to work in education. Higher ed roles can be found in all kinds of sectors, from health care to government.

That being said, securing a job in the higher education field with little to no experience can be challenging, but not impossible! To break into a skilled industry, you have to start somewhere. But how do you prove yourself when you haven’t yet earned experience on paper? Here are some ways you can find an entry-level higher education-related role:

Research & Explore Entry-Level Jobs

• If you hope to gain work in this field, learning how to find entry-level jobs could help you start your career!
• You can start by researching the most popular entry-level jobs and see which align closest with your unique career goals and skills! Jobs include:
  • Academic Coordinator
  • Diversity and Inclusion Representative
  • Admissions Counselor
  • Financial Services Representative
  • Alumni Relations Officer
  • Student Housing Coordinator

Utilize Your Network

• Networking is another powerful tool for landing your first job in higher education. Reach out to friends, family, and acquaintances who work in your field of interest. Also don’t overlook making a simple LinkedIn post stating that you’re open to work and asking for help from your connections.
• Lastly, attend job fairs and other events related to your industry. These events are a great opportunity to meet people who can provide valuable insights and help you connect with potential employers!

Tailor Your Resume and Cover Letter for Each Application

• Take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you are applying for. Highlight your relevant skills and experience, even if it’s not directly related to the job.
• Consider using a functional resume format that focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work experience.
• In addition, remember to always use keywords mentioned in the job description on your resume because many companies use AI software to match your resume with keywords found in job descriptions.

Build A Strong Online Presence

• Establishing a professional online presence can help employers discover you.
• Maintain and update your LinkedIn profile, and participate in relevant online communities, and showcase your projects or contributions on platforms like GitHub.
• This visibility can increase your chances of being noticed by potential employers and industry professionals.

If you’re a higher education administration student or recent graduate, chances are good you’ll want to know some of the best mid-level jobs out there and where to start looking. Employers are eager to find students and graduates, especially those who have mastered skills such as project management, communication, and collaboration. Some experienced professionals find they are looking to make a new career move. Knowing how switching to a higher education career can be beneficial can help you plan the next part of your professional life!

Switching Careers – Advice for Career Changers

• As a career switcher, you have a distinct advantage over graduates and early-career job seekers: Your career to date. Through your career you’ll have accumulated lots of skills and knowledge which may be transferred into a new career and are sought-after by employers!
• Transitioning to a role in higher education should build on existing professional experience. In many cases, making a successful switch is a matter of refining specific skills, and highlighting transferable skills from your past experience.
• Spend time researching the skills your ideal higher education job requires, and spend time updating your resume and applications to be sure you have noted all your current/newly acquired skills, relevant certifications or coursework, and transferable skills from your past experience.

Popular Higher Education Jobs to Explore

• As you begin considering career options, you might want to spend some time researching the various higher education career paths out there and which aligns closest with your passions and skillsets. Some examples of jobs that often require a masters degree include:
  • Career Counselor
  • Provost
  • Dean of Students
  • Registrar
  • Academic Dean
• While researching specific roles, you will want to consider researching some of the top recognized universities who maybe looking to hire higher education professionals.

As a seasoned professional in the higher education field, employers may be expecting that you have not only the experience in the field, but the technical knowledge, skills, and even certifications to prove your expertise! Career paths for seasoned higher education professionals are diverse and wide ranging. With experience and proven success, senior higher education professionals can progress to more senior roles or even executive-level positions!

Skills & Knowledge for Higher Education Majors

• When creating a resume for a higher education-related career, it’s important to highlight the relevant skills that demonstrate your expertise and qualifications in the field.
• Here are some must-have skills:
  • Ability to communicate with empathy
  • Teamwork and relationship building skills
  • Intrinsic desire to be mission-driven
  • Networking know-how
  • Tech-savvy

Advancing Your Career in Higher Education

• Like any other career, the path to the top in a college, university or related organization has its own nuances that professionals must remain aware of. From the differences between departments to federal Department of Education guidelines, those in the field have a lot to keep up with!
• By taking proactive steps, you can prepare yourself for advancement opportunities that arise at your current college or university, or within a new institution should you decide to switch:
  • Prepare Yourself: Have a general sense of where you want to head. Predicting exactly how your career journey will unfold may not be possible; however, taking time to reflect on what is important to you in terms of your career and what that path means for your life outside of work can help you progress with intention.
  • Expand Your Horizons: As you work to broaden your perspective, you should look for two types of opportunities: those that allow you to grow your leadership and organization-development skills and those that enable you to dig deeper into current, new, and evolving issues related to your field or career path (these activities do not necessarily need to happen at the same place).
  • Show You A Versatile: Approach problems and issues through the lens of the position you aspire to. Take on committee or project leadership (or co-leadership) for things outside of your primary area. Become a trusted sounding board for others—someone who offers unbiased advice and perspectives.
  • Know Thyself: Spend time reflecting on your core values and how they influence your decisions and leadership (even if you don’t have a leadership position now). You should be able to succinctly articulate your values and vision and the skills and talents you bring to whatever role you have, and the role you hope to achieve.