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Archives for July 2023

Higher Ed Careers for Veterans: Student Affairs

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Banner with text: Higher Ed Careers for Veterans

Are you exploring higher ed careers for veterans? Meet Elisa East. She is the Interim Director of the Military and Veterans Program at San Diego State University (SDSU). Elisa leads and oversees all military-related functions, educational benefits processing, programming initiatives, student engagement, and supportive services for the diverse military-connected student population at the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center (JABVC). With her equity and inclusion mindset, commitment to student success, and deep understanding of military culture, Elisa cultivates and fosters an environment that promotes academic achievement, personal growth, and professional development. She is a United States Army veteran, holding a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Education with an emphasis in Counseling from SDSU.

What made you consider a career in higher education?

I was inspired to pursue a career in higher education because of my passion for learning and the desire to make a positive impact on students’ lives. 

Did you run into any specific challenges as a veteran transitioning to higher ed and if so how did you manage it/them?

Transitioning to higher education posed some challenges, such as adapting to the different work culture and adjusting to the academic environment. I managed these challenges by seeking guidance from mentors, participating in professional development opportunities, and being open to learning and growth.

Did anything surprise you about working in higher ed that you did not expect? 

Working in higher education surprised me with its dynamic and ever-evolving nature. I did not anticipate the breadth of responsibilities and the constant need to adapt to changing student needs and institutional priorities. This works for me as it prevents me from becoming bored.

Tell us about your current role.

In my current role, I serve as the Interim Director of the Military and Veterans Program. I oversee the processing of federal and state educational benefits, develop existing and new programming initiatives, facilitate student engagement opportunities, and provide supportive services to enable students to progress toward and achieve their educational objectives.

What are some of the benefits of working in higher education?

Benefits of working in higher education include the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives, intellectual stimulation, a supportive and collaborative work environment, and access to professional development and educational resources.

How do you think being a veteran has served you in this role?

Being a veteran has served me in this role by providing me with valuable skills such as discipline, leadership, and adaptability. These traits have been instrumental in effectively working with diverse student populations and navigating complex organizational structures. It’s also provided me with the ability to understand the nuances of military life and culture that often cannot be articulated unless you experienced it. 

What do you wish you knew before moving into a career in higher education?

Before moving into a career in higher education, I wish I knew more about the intricacies of the academic landscape, including institutional dynamics, funding challenges, and the importance of building strong networks and collaborations.

Did your military experience easily translate into a civilian occupation? If not, did you have to receive additional training and/or certifications?

While some aspects of military experience did translate well into civilian occupations, additional training, education, and certifications were necessary to meet the specific requirements of a higher education role. It is important to leverage transferable skills and seek professional development opportunities to bridge any knowledge gaps.

What similarities are there (if any) between working in higher education and serving in the military?

Similarities between working in higher education and serving in the military include the importance of teamwork, leadership, and a commitment to a larger mission. Both environments require adaptability, resilience, and a focus on serving others.

Check out more resources for veterans exploring careers in higher ed.

About the Author: Sara Ermeti has worked in HR leadership for nearly 30 years in various industries such as higher education, NFP, Religious, Financial, Entertainment, and Transportation. She is also an adjunct professor teaching courses in HR and Business. Sara is a certified coach and resume writer offering individual and business consulting through Esperto HR Office.

The Hiring Process: What to Expect After You Hit “Submit”

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Higher ed job seeker submits job application materials and is trying to figure out what the typical hiring process is like

You found a promising job posting and submitted the requested application materials – now what? When it comes to dealing with potential employers, particularly higher education employers, patience is key, but knowing what a typical hiring process is like can give you an advantage, including identifying actions you can take to follow up.

I talked with my colleagues Maranda Holtsclaw and Tonya Mathis, both with expertise in higher education recruitment and retention. We discussed common questions asked by job seekers that have applied for higher ed jobs. Below, I’ve captured their insights on the review process and their advice on what you can do after you’ve submitted your application materials.

Q: What is the typical timeline for a hiring process (including reviewing applications and contacting candidates)?

Maranda: This is truly dependent on the institution and even on the department or unit within the institution that you are applying to.  It can be dependent on the search committee, like how big it is, and the time of year. For instance, are they trying to hire during the summer when committee members may be taking vacations and it’s challenging to find a day or two that works for everyone to conduct interviews? Also, it can depend on how many other people have applied. If there are many applications, it can take a while to review and determine which applicants will be invited to move on to the next step. The workload of the HR representatives that do an initial review of applications can also be a factor in timing.

Tonya: I agree with Maranda – the timeline for reviewing applications and contacting candidates is dependent on the institution, department, and/or hiring manager. From my experience, the application review process can take anywhere from four to six weeks.  Another thing to note is that there is usually a required amount of time for a job to be posted. For example, at my current institution, unclassified jobs are required to be posted for five days, classified positions for 10 days, and faculty positions for 30 days.  If an institution is using a search firm, that may impact the timeline as well. Finally, it also depends on when the search committee is formed. Was the committee formed at the beginning of the process or towards the end?  It takes time to create the committee, then coordinate schedules to hold its first meeting.

Q: Will I receive a confirmation email or any notification to confirm that my resume has been received?

Maranda: Many schools use an applicant tracking system (ATS) that will show the status of your applications. The status will reflect that your materials have been received and what stage they are in. If there is no status available in the program that you used to apply and you don’t receive an email confirming receipt, you may want to call the Human Resources office at that school and just let them know you are checking if your materials were received.

Tonya: Yes! Applicants will receive a confirmation email indicating that their resume has been received. Applicants are also encouraged to check their application status via the ATS.

Q: How will I be contacted if I am selected for an interview?

Maranda: This depends on the school, but I think a phone call is the most typical form of communication to set up an interview as there is sometimes a little back-and-forth to find a time. Sometimes you will be reached via email, so it is wise to check your email often and look at your spam folder from time to time as well. If the system that you applied through has a ‘status’ for your applications, you may see that you have moved to a ‘contacted for interview’ status. If you see this, but you don’t see an email or get a phone call, it would be wise to reach out.

Tonya: Oftentimes, candidates get an email inviting them to an interview. This includes an invite for a pre-screening interview and additional rounds of interviews. We usually provide the candidates with several dates and ask them to select their top three choices. It also depends on who is handling the interview logistics.  I have observed an administrative assistant or search committee support person contacting candidates by telephone while the search committee chairperson contacted candidates via email. In my previous roles as a hiring manager, my practice was to contact candidates via email. It was my experience that individuals don’t usually answer their cell phones if they don’t know who it is calling, even though they provided their numbers. If I reached out to someone via email and they didn’t respond in a timely manner, then I would give them a courtesy call.

Q: Is it appropriate for me to follow up on the status of my application, and if so, whom should I contact?

Maranda: You can, but you don’t want to come off as pushy. Use this as an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position, but don’t take too much of the person’s time – be succinct with your question. If there is a staffing coordinator listed on the posting, you can contact that person. However, sometimes there isn’t a person listed on the posting for questions and in this case, the advice is varied because each institution’s structure is unique. At some larger universities, HR can be very decentralized and it can make it tricky to find the right person to talk to. In those instances, you can call the Central Human Resources office.

Tonya: This is a great question. The Office of Human Resources is where I would recommend a candidate follow up on the status of their application. That said, if someone reaches out to me directly, I will make an inquiry on their behalf to the talent manager and then get back to the person. Usually, this is someone I have met at a job fair or networking event. If you have an established connection at the institution, consider using them as a reference.

Q: Will there be any additional steps or assessments in the hiring process?

Maranda: Typically, if there are, they will be listed in the posting details.  The other way you may learn of this is when you are notified of an interview.  Some examples may be something like a physical test or stress test if the position requires physical labor, or a presentation to a specific group. 

Tonya: I’m with Maranda on this one.  The only other thing that I might share is that when I interviewed for my previous position as assistant dean, I was asked to complete a writing sample. So, a word to the wise – be prepared!

Check out more Top Articles on HERC Jobs.

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About the Author: Marcia Silva is the director of marketing and communications at the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. She strives to create engaging, research-informed content that empowers job seekers and employers committed to creating inclusive workplaces. She is passionate about using digital media and technology to encourage participation and strengthen communities.

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