Over the years, careers have transformed to be flexible and changing rather than stable, life-long commitments to an organization. As such, making work meaningful, controlling the work environment, and taking the opportunity to get required training for the next job are as important as the financial advantages. Educators' careers cannot be…

The majority of college administrators make their careers in one institution. This calls for conscious planning, ongoing attention to multiple dimensions of the college environment, and awareness of the ways one is perceived by others in the institution. These skills and strategies differ from those typical in an interinstitutional career.…

A booming economy and low unemployment make it harder than ever before to lure and retain good school-bus drivers. Lack of money for good wages has prompted some innovative recruitment and retention tactics. Chicago has turned to the rolls of people going off welfare as a source of bus-driver candidates. The Trans Group, headquartered in Chestnut…

The first of two articles by members of a committee researching administrative shortage shows that administrator burnout may be the cause. Districts are exploring systemic ways to provide additional support to site administrators, including additional released time, rethinking job responsibilities, and the notion of co-principals. (MLF)

College administrative careers are characterized by ill-defined career paths, multiple entrance points, and lack of explicit criteria for determining mobility. The advantage is the diversity of opportunity. However, those seeking administrative careers have little guidance. Rules governing mobility are often part of the institutional culture. (MSE)

Discusses a study of the labor market, occupational mobility, and job ladders of top-level two-year college administrators. Finds the mobility of administrators (particularly presidents, chief academic officers, and chief student affairs officers) largely within postsecondary institutions and more specifically within two-year colleges. Discusses…

A discussion of recent changes in college administration focuses on the growth of nonacademic administration, the changing social and economic environment, new management concepts, leadership challenges, and openness and judicial review. It is concluded that administrators must articulate their fidelity to the institution's central purposes and to…

Higher education is under pressure to create a workforce making the United States more competitive internationally. Demographic and workforce influences are shaping teaching, support services and management. Colleges and universities should increase quality, use of technology and communications, and labor productivity and efficiency, and reduce…

Applies segmented labor market theory to university faculties. Portrays college instructors who teach outside tenure or tenure-stream appointments as being in the external labor market. Examines the demographic characteristics, teaching load, level of remuneration, and commitment to research of these instructors. Relates within-profession…

There are numerous major differences between the learning environments of colleges and universities and of the world of work. Graduates' short- and long-term productivity could be enhanced if the transition from one situation to the other were smoother and, if they were better prepared to be competent, self-directed learners. (Author)

Research on patterns in advertising academic administrative positions suggests that an applicant can often judge what a college is looking for by close scrutiny of its advertisement. The publications that carry the ad, their distribution, the ad's frequency, stated preference in academic background, and wording are clues. (MSE)

Although mentors are widely recommended as important career boosters who can aid people in their careers, there is growing concern about potential problems of mentoring relationships. Those aspiring to administrative positions in higher education need to understand both the advantages and the risks and must remember their responsibilities and…

The principle of supply and demand has been chosen to capture and present quantitatively an important data source for describing employment potential. The Pennsylvania State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee has developed an Occupational Information System (OIS) and companion microcomputer version (Micro-OIS). This system contains…

Issues emerging at a September 1993 Belgian conference on the relationship between higher education and employment are summarized, including reasons for reemergence of concern, key actors and constituents, need for further information about labor market needs, how to approach the need for system/institutional change, growth of specialized…

As search committees become more sophisticated in their techniques, academic administrator candidates must become equally adept at working with the committees to get the information they seek and create favorable impressions of themselves. Even when unsuccessful, the experience can lead to self-knowledge and professional growth. (Author/MSE)