Ask a Recruiter: Sonya Ponder, Princeton University

Learn how to start or grow your career in higher education with insights from professionals, career coaches, and HR experts. The newly launched Let’s Talk Higher Ed Careers podcast, produced by HERC Jobs, explores a variety of campus roles beyond teaching, career growth strategies, and tips for navigating the higher ed job market. Whether you’re new to the field or ready to move up, each episode shares real stories and practical steps to help you align your goals, discover opportunities, and succeed in a fulfilling higher ed career. New episodes drop every two weeks on our YouTube Channel.

In this “Ask a Recruiter” episode, host Jessica Wise sits down with Sonya Ponder, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Talent Acquisition Manager at Princeton University, to unpack how higher ed institutions recruit, evaluate, and support talent. Sonya shares practical advice for job seekers, from tailoring your resume and writing mission-driven cover letters to navigating career pivots into higher education. She explains why relationship-building, communication skills, and adaptability matter just as much as technical expertise, and how universities function like “small cities” with career paths far beyond faculty roles.

Watch this “Ask a Recruiter” episode on YouTube and tell us what resonated most in the comments. While you’re there, subscribe to our video podcast series so you never miss a conversation.