Navigating your way to the helm of higher education can be a labyrinthine endeavor because it’s not just about research and teaching; it’s about positioning yourself for the best opportunities and playing by a set of rules unique to academia. For women the climb can be even more complicated as female scholars often find themselves working in an all boys club. Diverse culled the advice of a diverse set of college professors and leaders, including Antioch University Seattle President Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet; California State University, Dominguez Hills President Mildred García; Sarah Lawrence College President Karen Lawrence; and University of Houston System President Renu Khator. Here are 10 tips they offer:
— Amid all the multitasking, ensure that you still reserve quiet time for yourself so that you don’t burn out — the world will not fall apart while you do.
— Don’t take criticism personally. Strive to be better than yourself.
— Balance your healthy love of learning (and sharing it with others) with good organizational skills and political savvy. Learn the academic culture, policies and decision-making processes of your institution.
— Just say no! Don’t overextend yourself personally and professionally for commitments that you know you don’t have time for.
— Support networks, both formal and informal, are crucial to your success. This means maintaining relationships with friends, family and mentors. Take every internal and external opportunity to attend programs, conferences, leadership institutes or seminars on a local, regional or national level.
— Publish! Publishing equals visibility and career mobility.
