On the enrollment cliff coming to the United States (and how to prepare as a faculty member). (Part one)
Enrollments are declining in some regions and states in the United States.
You can find an accessible explanation here: https://lnkd.in/eiyT3zDb
While I have seen many articles on higher Ed’s decline, I have seen almost none offer faculty advice on navigating changing academic labor markets.
I don’t have the answers - but I do have some ideas - on how to prepare for change - esp. as the number of employers declines.
First, note that this post isn’t for the Ivy League and elite schools. Brand and subsidies from stakeholders will buffer these schools.
Nor for rookies. I’ll do that post as part two.
This post is about the rest of us, the faculty who teach at publics, regional schools, and liberal arts colleges & unis.
The people who will have to look for work.
Second, you have to keep an eye on the market.
I see more & more accounts of uni’s ‘right sizing’ or just laying off academic units.
You need to be able to go on the job market & compete.
This means monitoring teaching trends and keeping up with your research - far deeper into your career than you might expect.
Third, staying marketable means diff things for diff career stages.
Early career it means teaching and publishing.
Mid & late career it also means service and admin work.
When assessing more advanced candidates, the question that is asked is how do they make this place better?
Most often, schools need someone who can help run programs, chair departments, & do the small things that make depts go.
Fourth, you need to attend to your academic network.
That means attending conferences & staying in touch with people - even if it is on your dime.
Most second and third jobs start with a conversation with a friend after a paper session.
Fifth, reputation is more important than ever.
I have seen careers killed by bad behavior at conferences & meetings.
Bad behavior here refers to being mean or dismissive to other participants.
People known for a bad temper or picking on PhD students usually don’t get a look when it is time for hiring.
So be not only a good scholar but be a good colleague at conferences & in external service.
Sixth, external service is more important than ever.
It makes you visible in your discipline, affirms relationships in your field, and makes you more valued by your local colleagues.
Where before you may have stopped external work post-tenure, now some level of such work is essential for everyone.
Finally, you can’t forget the local context.
While the naysayers claim the end is upon us, my sense is that many local colleges & universities are making good choices & will survive the coming enrollment decline.
Be a good citizen & help with that effort.
The skills you learn will benefit your career there or another place if it comes to that!
Best of luck!
Part 2: https://lnkd.in/e9fXMmVy
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