I don’t know that many people across the sector who set out on their career journey intent on working in higher education. Especially for those not employed in the more traditional teaching and learning roles. None of us are quite sure how we ended up here, but we are committed to the sector and want to build a successful career. So, how can we succeed?
By winging it
Most of what I have learnt has been by doing, observing, trying, and making mistakes, and by trying, reflecting, and trying again. It has not been learnt through formal qualifications and training. I have degrees in history and postcolonial studies – no practical people management or database navigation advice to be found there! It was only after I’d learnt much of what I know through experience – painful and positive – that I started the Association of Higher Education Professionals’ (AHEP) Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration, Leadership and Management, which I completed in December 2023 – 12 years after I started working in higher education!
There are lots of books, guides, podcasts, and talks that cover career progression, leadership, and management. Most of them either assume a lot of knowledge, relate to the (American) private sector, or are pitched at senior leaders. There isn’t much for those of us on the ground working with limited resources and very little training or support.
There are scores of books for academics in higher education looking for support developing their teaching and research skills, but I had to search for a long time to find anything for professional services officers and managers in the UK. My frustration with the lack of accessible resources and information inspired me to write a book. My aim was to bring together the information, advice, and guidance that I felt was lacking when I needed it.
The book I wish I’d had when I was first starting out in higher education and when I first started line managing people, covering everything I fumbled through learning the hard way.
What this book will do for you
Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education Professional Services is an introductory guide to thriving and progressing in UK higher education. It delves into the real, dynamic world of HEIs, exploring the diversity of roles, squiggly career paths and potential opportunities that await. It is relevant for those just starting out in higher education – at whatever stage of your career journey that might be, entry or senior management – and for those looking for practical advice to fill gaps in their knowledge, plan their next steps, and deal with challenges. It will help you build momentum in a successful and fulfilling career, within the unique context of professional services in UK higher education.
Learning from our community
But you won’t only hear my voice. Throughout this book, a diverse group of higher education professionals share their journeys and offer guidance on your higher education career path.
This book reflects the experience of a community of practice. It is a guide to support professional development rather than prescriptive career and leadership advice. It can’t cover everything. It has been designed so you can dip in and out depending on what you are looking for or what stage of your professional journey you are at. Some parts may resonate deeply with you, while others may seem less relevant.
An overview
The first chapter offers an introduction to the history of higher education in the UK, current debates, organisation and oversight, and the academic-professional binary. This is followed by a chapter exploring the core skills required to succeed in professional services, how to develop them, goal setting and professional development planning. This forms a foundation for the chapter on mastering the job search which takes you through the entire application and interview process.
Chapter four covers how to get noticed. It explores how to build a professional profile, take initiative, demonstrate leadership skills, and secure mentorship as means to progress your career. Acknowledging that people management – whether through line management, supervision, coordination, or project responsibility – is fundamental to progressing into a higher-grade role in professional services, chapter five offers an introduction to the skills and knowledge you will need to build competence and confidence as a team leader. It covers where to start, communication, inclusivity, empowerment, trust, confidence and building supportive networks. A chapter on embracing change and innovation walks you through what drives change across the sector, how to keep up to date, how to influence change locally, and how to support your team through change.
Building on the portfolio of skills explored through the chapters so far, chapter seven covers philosophies of leadership, dealing with difficult things (from poor performance to conflict within teams), the middle management ‘sandwich’, and diplomacy. The last chapter challenges you to explore reflective practice, offers strategies to build resilience, and explores opportunities beyond a new role. The book concludes with a practical exercise to support you in planning your next steps for moving forward confidently in your career journey.
For those of you wanting to dig deeper, each chapter concludes with some prompts and questions for reflection. This is followed by details of the materials referenced in the chapter and resources for further research (blogs, podcasts, mailing lists, books and websites).
A starting point
There is so much that is wonderful about working in higher education, but some parts are harder than others. This book guides you through some of the more challenging parts so you can find satisfaction and success in your career. If you don’t know where to start, start here.
Irrespective of your background, experience, or current role, I hope that within these pages you’ll find the tools, knowledge, and encouragement you need to carve your own path, unlock your potential, and thrive in the vibrant world of higher education.
About the author: Rachel Reeds has been surviving and thriving in higher education professional services since 2011. An advocate of authentic leadership, she empowers others to find their voice, lead confidently, and take ownership of their professional journey.
This article is an adapted extract from the introduction of Rachel’s forthcoming book Surviving and Thriving in Higher Education Professional Services: a guide to success