It can be easy to become restless at work. Perhaps you feel underappreciated, or unfulfilled sat behind a desk doing the same thing day in or day out. Or, maybe you took the job as a temporary position and ended up staying much longer than you originally intended. Whatever the reason is, sometimes change is necessary – especially if you want to achieve your goals.
Sometimes, when we decide to reshuffle our priorities and look for new work, we want a complete and total change. This means that many of us chose to enter a new industry entirely. However, a career change does not mean that you have to leave your years of training and experience behind.
ย In fact, you may be able to use this knowledge to help others by going back to school and opting for a career in higher education.ย
What does a career in higher education look like?
There are many different careers that fall under the umbrella of higher education. For example, you may work as a lecturer in your specific field, imparting your essential knowledge to the students. You may also work as a researcher, furthering your knowledge and publishing essays. Many who work in higher education also tend to take on other roles within their college or university, such as a seminar leader or in administration and recruitment. You may also wish to become a dean of a school.
Of course, the nature of your work will be largely dependent upon the industry in which you work. For example, if you are a medical professional, your career in higher education will focus on training the next generation of doctors and nurses. Whereas if you work in business, you will be helping young entrepreneurs garner the necessary skills they need to allow their own companies to thrive.
A career in higher education can be both exciting and rewarding, and there are many benefits associated with taking this career path.
What are the benefits of a career in higher education?
- The chance to try something new without venturing too far out of your comfort zone.
- The ability to expand your knowledge regarding a topic that you love. You will get to talk about something that you love and enjoy everyday – which means you are bound to learn something new.
- The opportunity to impart your knowledge to others, inspiring the next generation
- The chance to make a real difference, especially when you consider the importance of education for at-risk youth
- A generous salary with numerous health benefits. Not only is the starting salary often particularly attractive, but your salary will also increase gradually over time.
- Plenty of holidays as you work will coincide with college semesters. You can use this extra time to participate in projects or take a relaxing holiday with your loved ones.
- Training opportunities at regular intervals that will allow for both personal and professional development.
- The chance to obtain funding to further research/develop your ideas.
- A sense of accomplishment, as you can achieve your goals.
How can I begin a career in higher education?
The first step towards a full-time career in higher education is ensuring you have the appropriate qualifications. This may take some time and money, which can be unsettling at first. However, you must remember that this is a worthwhile investment in your future. It will significantly increase your earning potential and provide you with great personal fulfillment that you wouldnโt get elsewhere. In many cases, this means you need to get a degree in higher education. If you have previously partaken in teacher training, you may notice many familiarities between the courses and can expect a similar workload.
In order to complete a doctorate-level program, you will already need to have some qualifications on your resume. This will likely include an undergraduate degree and a masterโs in a relevant field. Sometimes, significant industry experience can take the place of the masterโs degree, though you may also enjoy obtaining a masterโs before your doctorate.
This means that an EdD degree can help you pursue a career in higher education, providing you with all of the skills you need in order to succeed. For example, they will help you learn about the various ways in which you can apply your current knowledge and expertise into teaching. However, although you are already passionate about your work, you need to be ready and willing to put in the hard work it takes to succeed. This means more studying, note-taking, and staying up revising for exams! However, it will all be worth it in the end.
