As the 2024-2025 academic year approaches quickly, challenges abound for institutions, both internal and external, covering the gamut, including political, social, and financial. Having started my academic career as a faculty member and then moving to the administrative staff side several years ago, I know there are similar as well as unique challenges facing these populations in the current higher education landscape.
For non-teaching academic staff, the pressures and expectations are particularly complex, as they are tasked with supporting the academic mission while also navigating the shifting landscape of higher education. Whether you’re dealing with budget cuts, increased demands for student support, or the ongoing impacts of technological change, it’s clear that the upcoming year will require adaptability, resilience, and a forward-thinking approach.
To help you navigate these challenges and position yourself for career advancement, here are 10 essential tips, along with practical advice on how you can implement them at an individual, team, office, or institutional level:
1. Build Collaborative Relationships
Fostering connections with diverse stakeholders across your institution—such as faculty, students, administrators, and external partners—will help you create a more integrated and supportive environment. By breaking down silos and promoting collaboration, you not only enhance your ability to execute academic initiatives effectively but also position yourself as a connector who can bridge gaps between different departments. This skill is invaluable for career growth (within and outside academia), as it demonstrates your ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence institutional outcomes.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Attend interdepartmental meetings and seek out opportunities to collaborate on projects with colleagues from different units.
- With a Team or Office: Organize cross-departmental workshops or brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and solutions for common challenges.
- At the Institutional Level: Propose and lead an initiative that involves multiple stakeholders, such as a task force focused on improving student retention.
2. Develop Cross-Functional Skills
In today’s dynamic higher education environment, acquiring a broad set of skills beyond your core responsibilities is crucial. Ever hear the saying (often attributed to William Shakespeare) “A jack of all trades is a master of none.”, well, the full quote is “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one”. Whether it’s project management, data analysis, or technological proficiency, these skills make you more versatile and better equipped to adapt to changing roles. Developing cross-functional expertise allows you to contribute effectively to interdisciplinary projects and positions you as a valuable asset for career advancement.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Enroll in online courses or attend workshops to build skills in areas like data analysis, project management, or new technologies.
- With a Team or Office: Encourage team members to share their expertise and mentor each other in developing new skills.
- At the Institutional Level: Advocate for a professional development program that offers training in cross-functional skills relevant to the institution’s strategic goals.
3. Create Innovative Solutions
Innovation is key to addressing the complex challenges faced by higher education today. By thinking creatively and exploring unconventional approaches to problem-solving, you position yourself as a forward-thinker who can lead your institution through times of change. This proactive mindset not only helps you navigate the challenges of the upcoming year but also enhances your reputation as a leader and innovator, opening doors for future career opportunities. This can be challenging if you find yourself in a culture or climate that is not open to new ideas. Still, I would encourage you to find an outlet so that you can share your creative ideas and receive feedback, even if it is outside your organization.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Experiment with new technologies or methodologies in your work and share your findings with colleagues.
- With a Team or Office: Organize innovation sessions where team members can brainstorm and propose new solutions to existing challenges.
- At the Institutional Level: Lead a pilot project that introduces innovative practices or technologies to address a specific institutional challenge.
4. Champion Data-Driven Decision-Making
Leveraging data for decision-making is essential in today’s data-rich environment. By advocating for the use of data analytics, research findings, and performance metrics, you can make more informed and strategic decisions. This approach not only positions you to better navigate the uncertainties of the upcoming year but also showcases your analytical skills and strategic thinking, which are critical for advancing to leadership roles. This may require obtaining a better understanding of your institutions ERP system and/or other platforms that house key institutional data. An invaluable skill is understanding where to find or how to access institutional data (as well as data from other institutions) that can be used to build convincing arguments that support ideas, policies, or decisions.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Use data analytics tools to inform your daily work and decisions, and present data-driven insights in meetings. Even within your unit, figure out what kind of data you can access, collect, or view.
- With a Team: Encourage the team to collect and analyze data relevant to their projects and use it to guide their decisions.
- At the Institutional Level: Propose the adoption of data-driven practices in strategic planning and resource allocation across the institution.
5. Embrace Change Management
Change is inevitable in higher education, whether it’s due to organizational reforms, new technologies, or shifting student demographics and/or needs. By equipping yourself with change management skills, you can navigate these transitions effectively and help foster a positive culture of adaptability and resilience among your colleagues. Mastering change management not only helps you manage the challenges of the upcoming year but also prepares you for leadership roles that require managing complex transformations.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Take a course in change management to develop your skills and apply these principles in your work (lots of free courses can be found online – some from well known universities and companies).
- With a Team or Office: Lead your team through changes by communicating openly, setting clear expectations, and providing support during transitions.
- At the Institutional Level: Participate in or lead change management initiatives that guide the institution through major transitions, such as technology implementations or policy changes.
6. Promote Professional Development
Encouraging continuous learning is vital for both personal and institutional growth. By organizing professional development opportunities, you not only enhance the skills and knowledge of staff members but also position yourself as a leader who is invested in the growth of others. Promoting professional development is a strategic move that can help you navigate the evolving demands of higher education while also positioning yourself for career advancement. Even if you have hit a ceiling at your current institution, position yourself for the next position somewhere else.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Participate in workshops, conferences, and training sessions to enhance your skills and stay current with industry trends. Although few institutions have staff development centers, most have faculty development centers and most will welcome participation by staff. Additionally, talk with your HR office about professional development opportunities that they can provide or refer you to.
- With a Team or Office: Organize regular professional development sessions where team members can learn new skills or share their expertise.
- At the Institutional Level: Advocate for institutional support for professional development programs that align with strategic goals and individual career aspirations.
7. Enhance Organizational Efficiency
Streamlining processes, workflows, and communication channels within your department can lead to significant improvements in productivity and efficiency. By focusing on efficiency, you not only contribute to a more effective and agile work environment but also demonstrate your ability to optimize resources—a key skill for career advancement in times of financial constraints.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Identify inefficiencies in your work processes and propose or implement small changes to improve productivity.
- With a Team: Conduct a process review with your team to identify and eliminate bottlenecks and redundancies.
- At the Institutional Level: Propose and lead an initiative to streamline institutional processes, such as digitizing paperwork or improving communication systems.
8. Lead Diversity Initiatives
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are critical components of a thriving workplace, and right now these initiatives are under fire in higher ed. By taking a proactive role in advancing DEI efforts, you help create a more inclusive and equitable environment. This leadership in DEI not only positions you to contribute positively to your institution’s culture but also enhances your qualifications for roles that require a commitment to social justice and community building.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Educate yourself on DEI issues and implement inclusive practices in your daily work.
- With a Team or Office: Encourage open discussions on diversity and inclusion within your team and identify areas for improvement.
- At the Institutional Level: Lead or participate in DEI initiatives, such as creating inclusive hiring practices or organizing diversity training sessions.
9. Support Student Success
Supporting student success is at the heart of your institution’s mission. By collaborating with academic advisors, student services, and faculty, you can develop initiatives that enhance student retention, engagement, and achievement. Taking a holistic approach to student success not only helps you address the challenges of the upcoming year but also positions you as a key contributor to the institution’s primary goals, which is vital for career growth.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Engage with students to understand their needs and advocate for resources that support their success.
- With a Team or Office: Work with colleagues across departments to develop programs that address student needs holistically, from academic support to mental health services.
- At the Institutional Level: Lead or participate in task forces or committees focused on improving student retention and success.
10. Engage in Community Outreach
Your expertise and resources can extend beyond the campus through community engagement activities. By participating in or leading outreach programs, you can promote educational access, social impact, and civic engagement. Engaging in community outreach not only benefits the wider community but also enhances your institution’s reputation and positions you as a leader who is committed to making a positive difference—qualities that are highly valued in leadership roles.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Volunteer your time or expertise to local organizations or community projects that align with your institution’s mission.
- With a Team or Office: Organize team participation in community events or develop a departmental outreach program.
- At the Institutional Level: Lead or support institutional partnerships with local organizations to create sustainable community engagement initiatives.
Bonus Tips: Preventing Burnout and Maintaining Work-Life Balance
With schools downsizing and/or implementing hiring freezes due to financial constraints—whether from decreased enrollment, increased costs, or other factors—many staff members will find themselves taking on additional work for little or no additional compensation. In such an environment, maintaining a healthy work-life balance can seem particularly challenging. Recognizing that these tips may be hard to implement depending on your situation, I hope that academic staff who find themselves in these circumstances can navigate it in a healthy and productive manner. Here are three bonus tips to help you manage the added pressures and maintain a sense of balance:
1. Set Boundaries and Prioritize Tasks
Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal time is crucial for preventing burnout. By defining specific working hours and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact, you can manage your workload more effectively, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy balance between your professional and personal life. This ability to manage your time and energy wisely is essential for long-term career success. This is definitely an “easier said than done” task, but as someone who recently went through a major health challenge, it is critical for your overall health and wellness to set boundaries.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Create a daily schedule that includes dedicated time for breaks and personal activities.
- With a Team or Office: Encourage team members to respect each other’s work-life boundaries and model this behavior yourself.
- At the Institutional Level: Advocate for policies that support work-life balance, such as flexible work hours or remote work options.
2. Practice Self-Care and Well-Being
Your physical, emotional, and mental well-being are essential to your effectiveness at work. Prioritizing self-care practices such as regular exercise, mindfulness meditation, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits can help you stay resilient and manage work pressures more effectively. Taking care of your well-being not only ensures that you can perform at your best but also positions you as a leader who values health and balance.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Incorporate self-care practices into your daily routine, such as a morning meditation or evening walk.
- With a Team or Office: Organize wellness challenges or group activities that promote health and well-being among team members.
- At the Institutional Level: Advocate for institutional support of wellness programs, such as on-site fitness classes or mental health resources.
3. Seek Support and Communicate Needs
Open communication about your workload, concerns, and well-being can lead to collaborative solutions and alleviate feelings of isolation. By reaching out to colleagues, supervisors, or support networks, you can find the support you need to manage stress and workload effectively. Demonstrating your ability to seek help and communicate openly is an important aspect of professional maturity and leadership.
How to Implement:
- Individually: Don’t hesitate to ask for help or discuss your needs with a trusted colleague or supervisor.
- With a Team or Office: Foster a team culture where members feel comfortable sharing their challenges and offering support to each other.
- At the Institutional Level: Advocate for support systems within the institution, such as mentoring programs or peer support groups.
As we head into another academic year, remember that your contributions as academic staff are vital to the success of your institution. By following these tips and prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be well-equipped to face the challenges ahead and make a meaningful impact in the higher education landscape.
What tips have I left out? Would love to hear your thoughts below.