Advancing Your Career in Higher Education (ft. HERC)

Date: Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Watch this informative webinar, presented by the WorkLife Office and Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Do you feel stuck where you are now in your career in higher ed? In this webinar, we review the current higher education job market and share four strategies for moving up in your career, including concrete steps that you can take. We’ll also discuss how to assess if an institution is committed to internal advancement.

Highlights from the Webinar

By Richard Taylor

Have you ever given any thought to how you could advance your career in higher education? If you have ever felt this way, you are not alone. Many people in higher education feel stuck in their career and are seeking ways to advance. The WorkLife Office recently held an informative webinar that may be just the thing you’re looking for to give your career a boost.

Maranda Holtsclaw, Director of Michigan Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC), Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, delivered many actionable steps that can be taken to help you move up the ladder. One of the biggest takeaways is acknowledging that the field of higher education is a competitive one, but there are many ways to advance your career if you are willing to put in the work.

graph showing 56% of those surveyed expect to advance their career at a new institution. Only 11% expected to advance their career at their current institution.

HERC conducted a job seeker survey in which over half of the respondents reported that they sought to advance their career with a new employer, rather than their current institution. The HERC job seeker survey also showed that professional development and mentorship, along with internal hiring paths were the top three indicators of a future employers’ commitment to career advancement. Michigan State University has shown that it wants to retain their talented faculty by offering many professional development opportunities. Take advantage of these opportunities and network with colleagues!

Here are four more key career advancement strategies that will help as you strive to advance your career.

  1. Identify your ideal “next job”
  2. Build your skillset
  3. Strengthen your profile
  4. Expand your network

The educational job market is competitive but by being proactive and preparing for your next move it will allow you to get ahead and drive your career options rather than just responding to change when it happens. Develop your skills and knowledge so that you are in demand and stay up to date on the latest trends in your field. In addition, be patient, as it takes time to advance in higher education. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get promoted right away. Keep working hard and eventually you will achieve your goals.

Advancing your career in higher education takes hard work and dedication, but it is possible. Maranda Holtsclaw of HERC encouraged everyone to identify at least one professional development opportunity you can complete in the next six months and issued the challenge to find a mentor. Following the strategies outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of success.

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