As I move closer to completing my doctorate in this LDL program, I’m looking to transition from P-12 education into higher ed. Whether I decide to pursue a faculty position or an academic professional position, some higher ed experience would definitely be helpful. I’m excited to see there’s an opportunity to help out with the new LDL journal. Does anyone have other suggestions or words of wisdom? Thanks so much!
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Hi Julia!
I think you're write that higher ed-related experience would be useful, and there are a few different ways you could go about it:
--Pursue opportunities to for service activities (like the LDL journal but also college/department committees, student groups, etc.) that can give you experience working on projects in a higher ed setting
--Choose projects for classes that are higher ed-focused and ideally practical/applied in some way
--Explore whether there are any options in your current job to work on projects/programs connected somehow to higher education (college readiness programs, etc.)
Whatever path you choose to get experience, it's also really important to develop your knowledge of the higher ed landscape. So read higher ed journals, trade publications (like the Chronicle), do informational interviews (https://grad.illinois.edu/careers/info-int) with higher ed professionals, etc. Having robust knowledge and perspectives on the field will help you better connect your P-12 experience to higher ed and tell a more coherent and convincing narrative to prospective employers.
Great suggestions, Derek.
Within the University of Illinois, I would suggest applying for the SAGE (Students Advising Graduate Education) sponsored by the Graduate College committee or the EPOL GSAC (Graduate Student Advisory Council). Both are a great opportunity to not only develop in your career, but it is a way to give back and also represent your online peers, as they have a different experience compared to an on-campus student. And there are so many online graduate students now. SAGE I believe solicits applications in the Spring. I don't recall when GSAC requests applications. I served on both of these committees and was grateful for those opportunities and the connections that I made.
@Derek, thank you for all these fantastic suggestions!
I would be happy to connect to chat about my experience in Higher Education. I will send you a message with my email address and phone number to connect.