Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I hate my job & my career. About 1/2 way through college I wanted to change to a track that would help me get into Higher Education Administration, but I had more than 1/2 my credits completed and could not afford to change & start over. I loved my college experience & was very VERY involved on campus, and I have never forgotten how that felt to be so helpful & involved. I want to change careers again, but I am afraid that my experience does not lend to my being considered for some positions.

I am also looking at Master's programs & at this point I am also willing to go as far as a Doctoral program while working.

Can anyone offer any insight or advice how to change careers in this case?

TIA

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I work at CW Post and I like my job but not the bureaucracy. If you are interested in going back to get the higher ed degree I would look on the website for the jobs that are vacant. Apply for what appeals to you. Once you get the job you can take the classes for free. FM me with any questions.

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

Thank You! I definitely want to get at least a master's....and the more I think about it, the more I want to eventually get my Doctorate.

I may be FMing you with questions soon. As far as the bureaucracy, I am used to it unfortunately....

Thanks for your response!

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I work at St. John's and love it. I got my masters there and am now working on my doctorate there as well. I definitely love the setting. If you have any questions, please feel free to FM.

Check out the local college web sites, as well as higheredjobs.com for postings.

Good luck!

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I work in a college as well. I am all but dissertation for my doctorate in higher ed. administration, but for most of the administration jobs the requirements are more years experience in higher education than degree. At this point the jobs I am interviewing for require 6 years full time experience in a university setting and a master's (or doctorate for some), but first step would be to get your foot in the door with an entry-level position. All of the mid-level positions where I am require a master's, but you can work on that while working. Expect lower salaries at the private colleges, and the community colleges pay the best of all of the public colleges and universities. If you have any contacts from when you were a student at Nassau, that may help. There is no one undergrad. major that lends itself to working in higher ed. admin--I've seen all majors represented (unless you want a specific area like university budget and accounting, in which case you need an accounting degree and CPA license). First step would really be to take any job to get your foot in. I don't know how far along you are in your pregnancy, but you may want to wait until after birth to make a job change. Good luck! I do really, really like working at a college.

ETA: The doctoral program part-time is doable, but very difficult. I know Michelina627 is in the same boat. I basically went 3 years without seeing much of my husband while completing the coursework. Every weekend was filled with classes (literally--8AM-5PM Sat. and Sun, with many night classes). I am glad I did it, but I gave up my life for 3 years. I'm not saying it isn't doable with a baby--there are people in my program with a baby--but you need a big support system to babysit or a nanny because all of my free time was devoted to the program. Working on my dissertation is a little better, because it isn't scheduled coursework, but basically I spend 3 hours a night after work just working on my dissertation, along with at least 1 day a weekend devoted to the dissertation.

Weren't you thinking about law school? I thought you were going to do a part-time law program?

Message edited 5/6/2007 11:23:27 AM.

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I work in a college....and I love my work!

If you have any q's...please feel free to fm me. Good Luck.

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

I work at a public university. I like it, but the bureaucracy can be maddening, and the cream doesn't always rise to the top. I much preferred working at a higher-ranked private school, where it was elitist, but things got done faster and by spending less $$$.

ETA: To clarify what I mean, at the public school things seem to be done "because that's the procedure" or "that's the way it's always been done" rather than if it's the most cost-efficient, most effective way. It's hard to make changes. And it doesn't matter too much how great of a job you do - almost everyone gets the same raise, give or take about $500. So if money is a motivator, this is not the field.

Message edited 5/11/2007 1:54:21 PM.

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

Re: Need advice & hlp...anyone here work in a collegiate setting?

Posted by nov04libride

Posted by MsG
And it doesn't matter too much how great of a job you do - almost everyone gets the same raise, give or take about $500. So if money is a motivator, this is not the field.

Unless you are sleeping with someone in a high position. That seems to help with the pay increases.