Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring University Staff
Entry-level university positions, such as "administrative assistant," provide a "great entree" into various departments, allowing for upward mobility; other readily available roles include accounting and hospitality services, with the stability of higher education employment, including "really good health benefits," often a significant draw for long-term careers.
Entry-Level Jobs, Higher Education Administration, Career Paths in Academia, Adminstrative Assistant Roles, University Settings
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Teresa Djedjro
Chief of Staff
UCLA Anderson School of Management
American University and Antioch University (2019)
currently at UCLA Law, MLS program
International Relations & Affairs
Education
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. Administrative Assistant positions offer a great entry point into university settings and various departments.
2. Entry-level accounting or hospitality jobs within universities also provide viable career paths.
3. Higher education offers relatively stable employment with good health benefits, encouraging long-term careers.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
There are many different types of jobs in a university that a college student could consider. An administrative assistant or receptionist position at an administration desk is a great entree. That's how I started, and it's a fantastic way to get into almost any office in a university setting.
This could be within the business school, the housing office, or even the Chancellor's office. It's just a great way to get in and really see and understand how things work.
Certainly, even in a job such as accounting, you can find opportunities in a university setting. While studying astrophysics might not immediately lead to a job as an astrophysicist, if there's an astrophysics department, you might be able to get in, perhaps as an administrator, and then work your way up.
I think admin jobs are always a great way to start. You might also have other skills, like in accounting or almost any industry. Our housing and catering hospitality services always have entry-level jobs. If that's your interest, there are definitely jobs for you.
I do think a major benefit of working in education is the health benefits. I previously worked in private and public schools, and generally, the health benefits are really good. For someone reliant on good health benefits, it's pretty steady.
There's not a lot of fluctuation in terms of health benefits and good insurance. It's really great, and I think that's part of why people stay in higher education for decades.
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