Career Tips for Rising Leaders in Higher Education

In the latest episode of Higher Ed Pulse, co-hosts Seth Odell and Mallory Willsea joined forces to deliver an engaging and insightful discussion on career advice for rising leaders in higher education. From building a compelling career narrative to mastering financial literacy, the duo shared personal experiences and practical tips designed to help ambitious professionals navigate their career paths. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most valuable takeaways from their conversation.

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Crafting Your Career Narrative: Think in Chapters

Seth kicked off the episode by emphasizing the importance of viewing your career as a series of chapters, each with its own narrative. Instead of simply listing responsibilities or outcomes, focus on crafting a compelling elevator pitch that captures the essence of your experience. For example, Seth distilled his four years at Southern New Hampshire University into a narrative about managing brand campaigns during a period of explosive growth. The key lesson? Once you’ve completed a chapter and developed a strong narrative, it might be time to move on to the next opportunity—unless the current role continues to bring you joy or offers new challenges.

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Building and Leveraging Your Network

Mallory highlighted the critical role of networking in career advancement. She introduced the concept of “peertours,” or peers who serve as mentors, emphasizing the value of horizontal networking as well as the traditional vertical mentorship. By investing in and nurturing genuine connections within professional organizations and on social media, you create a support system that can offer advice, opportunities, and collaboration throughout your career. Seth echoed this sentiment, adding that many of the best career opportunities are never posted publicly—they come through your network.

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Solve Your Boss’s Problems

One of Seth’s key pieces of advice was to focus on solving your boss’s problems, not just your own. By aligning your work with your boss’s goals and helping them achieve success, you’ll naturally position yourself as a valuable team member and likely open up new opportunities for growth. Seth shared a personal anecdote about how he learned Final Cut Pro over a weekend to meet a need at UCLA, a move that significantly boosted his career by allowing him to take on more responsibility.

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Hiring Slow and Firing Fast

Mallory offered practical advice for those in leadership roles: hire slow and fire fast. Taking the time to carefully vet candidates can prevent future issues, but if someone isn’t a good fit, it’s crucial to act quickly. Mallory also emphasized the importance of documenting any concerns as soon as they arise, which can be invaluable if a difficult decision needs to be made later on.

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Choosing the Right Opportunities: Big Brands or Big Growth

Seth encouraged rising leaders to look for opportunities with either big brands or companies experiencing rapid growth. Working for a well-known brand like UCLA can lend credibility to your resume, while joining a fast-growing organization can provide you with opportunities to take on new challenges and responsibilities—often before you might be "qualified" on paper.

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Financial Savvy: A Must-Have Skill

Finally, Mallory underscored the importance of financial literacy, especially for those aspiring to leadership roles. Understanding budgets, financial statements, and business metrics is crucial not only for managing your department but also for making strategic decisions that align with institutional goals. She noted that while this can be particularly challenging for women in leadership, it’s a skill that can significantly enhance your ability to contribute at the highest levels.

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Key Takeaways

• Craft a clear career narrative by thinking of your career in chapters and focusing on the story you can tell about each role.
• Invest in your network—both horizontally and vertically—to access opportunities that might not be publicly posted.
• Solve your boss’s problems to position yourself as a key player and unlock new career opportunities.
• Hire slow and fire fast to build a strong team and address issues quickly when necessary.
• Seek out roles with big brands or fast-growing companies to gain credibility and experience.
• Develop financial acumen to navigate complex decisions and contribute to the strategic direction of your institution.

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Listen + Learn More

If you’re serious about advancing your career in higher education, don’t miss out on the full episode of Higher Ed Pulse. For those looking to dive even deeper, check out the “Lessons in Leadership” course developed by Dr. Carrie Phillips, designed to equip rising leaders with the skills they need to thrive. Whether you’re ready for a full course or just want to start with a downloadable handbook, these resources are a must for anyone aiming to rise to the top in higher ed.