What's It Like to Be an Academic Administrator?
Online Resources
General
This guide offers a very useful overview of the more common types of administration jobs that exist to the hiring process. The authors also provide over 20 job listing websites.
Versatile PhD is designed to help humanities and social science PhDs and graduate students identify and prepare for possible non-academic careers. “Panel discussions,” spotlight those working in non-faculty careers, and a November 2010 panel was held on the topic, “Careers in University Administration: Academic Affairs.” Some areas of the site are free, while others require a membership fee.
Chronicle of Higher Education articles
Jenkins, R. (2005, April 21). Getting Into Administration. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The author provides the pros and cons of being an academic administrator.
Vick, J.M. & Furlong, J.S. (2006, February 9). Switching Sides. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Through conversations with Ph.D.’s working in higher education, the authors highlight various job opportunities available for Ph.D.s who do not want a faculty job.
The authors pose great reflective questions for Ph.D. students who are not sure whether to pursue an administrative track. They also present great resources for those students who are ready to take the next steps.
The authors have chosen four CVs tailored for administrative jobs to critique. The full CV and the author’s thoughtful feedback are included.
Dowdall, J. (2000, May 5). Cover Letters for Administrative Jobs. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
This article offers useful “do’s and don’ts” for an administrative cover letter.
Professional Associations
American Association of University Administrators (AAUA)
Membership in AAUA is open to any individual interested in higher education leadership and administration. The association offers free downloadable copies of The Journal of Higher Education Management which offers discussion of current challenges facing higher education and the sharing of practical wisdom.
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
AACRAO is a large professional association of higher education admissions and registration professionals. The association’s website has an extensive Jobs Online section that allows you to search within a state. Take a look at their career development article library to read about some of the current issues in higher education administration.
American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
ACPA members include graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in student affairs/higher education administration programs, faculty, and student affairs officers. This organization has extensive professional development opportunities including various institutes and conferences. The price is greatly reduced for students.
College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
Members of this association include human resources professionals. The website allows you to search their JobLine and are constantly offering a multitude of webinars for their members.
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA)
NACADA serves professional advisors, counselors, faculty, administrators and students.
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
They provide their members with a Knowledge Center where you can find hundreds of resources that help you keep up with professional and societal trends affecting college admission counseling.
Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD)
POD is the professional association for those engaged in the field of faculty development, such as those who work at teaching centers.
Job Listing Sites
Non-Tenure-Track Jobs for Ph.D.s., PhD.org
This site, primarily oriented to science careers, offers a job listing of non-tenure track faculty positions.
Administrative Jobs. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
This site mainly offers job listings in academic affairs, business/administrative affairs, deans, and student affairs.
The administrative positions listed are sectioned off by function (e.g. admissions and enrollment, development and fundraising, registrar, etc.).
The Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) offers consolidated higher education job listings (faculty and non-faculty), based by region. The HERC for the Michigan region can be found at https://www.hercjobs.org/regions/higher-ed-careers-michigan/and it features extensive job postings from 27 Michigan colleges and universities.