Three years ago, I was a college senior grappling with what I was going to do when I graduated in two months. With little direction, I went through the motions of the job search, but never left an interview sincerely hoping I would receive an offer.
Then, I interviewed at my alma mater. The role combined my love for technology, communication and teaching in a way I had not seen before. It was a perfect fit. Time has flown since that first day on the job.
But, one thing’s for sure: When I was a senior, I never considered working in higher education. Here are five reasons you should consider what I initially ignored.
1. Higher education is not just for professors. You don’t need a Ph.D. to work at a college or university. In addition to faculty, institutions need staff for a variety of roles. From public relations to project management to human resources, there are opportunities in a number of fields. Universities have media offices, finance departments, and may be developing cutting-edge programs in an area of interest to you. You might be surprised by what sort of positions you find once you start looking.
2. Develop your skill set. A typical university position will involve working across numerous departments with all types of people. This exposure to new situations and responsibilities will hone abilities you might not have realized you had. Carmen Sauls is a recent graduate and admissions counselor at Salem College in Winston-Salem, N.C. Sauls says her new role in higher education is perfect for building a foundation needed as a young professional. “It’s exciting for me to help shape the future of this place, but it’s also a great stepping stone to other careers,” she says. “Whether or not that may be in higher education, I’m developing a variety of relevant skills from time management to presenting.”
Read more here at USA Today College.
[divider]
HBCU Buzz is the Leading Source of HBCU News, and the Most influential brand in the HBCU Community. Like ‘the Buzz’ on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
