top of page
Trisha, Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at Business School for a Private University: Advize Career Interview
Dive into the dynamic world of higher education recruitment with insights from a Business School Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment!
Their unconventional journey from biology to marketing to higher education highlights the power of career counseling and the importance of passion.
Discover a role centered on admissions, domestic and international outreach, and building relationships with prospective students. Learn how a typical day blends student interaction, application processing, and team collaboration.
This career demands strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and effective communication to build a strong cohort of future business leaders.
The most rewarding aspects are fostering connections and collaborating with a supportive team while navigating the challenges of balancing selectivity with enrollment goals.
Thrive in this industry by being student-centric, embracing the university's mission, and leveraging communication and networking skills to meet students where they are.
Most importantly, find inspiration in a career where passion transforms the work, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where every voice is heard.
Understand how the hard work ethic developed in college is invaluable and how personal experiences can guide one toward a fulfilling career path.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Trisha Wierl
Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment
Business School for a Private University
California State University - San Marcos
Biology & Related Sciences
Education
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Private University Business School
Trisha's career path began with a biology major and unrelated part-time jobs, leading to a post-graduation pivot from customer service to marketing in the automotive industry where they "were just kind of thrown into it and had that immersive learning," before ultimately seeking guidance from a career counselor to transition into higher education. This journey culminated in their current role as Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment, blending marketing skills with a passion for direct engagement and admissions.
Main Responsibilities of an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Business School
Trisha's main responsibilities as Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at the Business School for a Private University are focused on admissions and recruitment entailing processing and reviewing applications to ensure students meet program requirements, are "good fits," and will be collaborative. The role also involves outreach, which includes traveling domestically and internationally to college fairs to provide information and attending local events for sponsorships to establish a brand presence and make connections with potential future students.
A Day In The Life Of An Assistant Director Of Outreach And Recruitment At A Private University Business School
As an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment, Trisha's typical day involves a blend of responding to student inquiries, processing applications to ensure "students can get those timely decisions", and brainstorming with the team about outreach, recruitment, and yield efforts to support admitted students. The role also includes virtual student consultations, student interviews, and inter-departmental meetings to align on goals and address any challenges.
Most Important Skills for an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Business School
Trisha, an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment, emphasizes that being "a people person" is crucial, as the role involves constant interaction with diverse individuals from prospective students to faculty, requiring one to nurture relationships and communicate effectively whether in person at events or online; therefore, a key skill is the ability to remain mindful and empathetic, recognizing that even repetitive information might be new to each individual.
Favorite Parts of Being an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Business School
Trisha's favorite aspect of being an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Business School is "the people aspect," enjoying meeting new individuals daily, fostering relationships, and staying connected with students, even after admissions. Collaboration with a fantastic team, planning recruitment strategies, and anticipating upcoming events and travel opportunities to meet new prospective students also bring excitement to the role.
Biggest Challenges Faced By an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Private University Business School
The biggest challenge for the Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment is building a "good fit cohort" through rolling admissions, requiring the careful navigation of attracting high-quality candidates without being "too selective" and missing enrollment goals, and ultimately ensuring a vibrant and successful student body, a process that is "a little stressful in the moment, but it's one of those things where it's like it always works out, you know?"
Favorite Parts Of Working In Higher Education As An Assistant Director Of Outreach And Recruitment
Trisha finds the "student-centric" nature of higher education, particularly in graduate recruitment, most enjoyable, especially after transitioning from a sales-heavy consulting background. Describing the environment as "inclusive and supportive" rather than competitive, Trisha appreciates being in an industry where the primary mission is to "help further the next generation of...students" and ensure they feel supported.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Higher Education Industry, According To A University Recruiter At A University Business School
Trisha believes that being "student centric" and "connected to the mission" of the university is key to thriving in the higher education industry, because it transforms the work into something that doesn't feel like work. From Trisha's perspective, when individuals are truly connected to the mission, they're not selling a program but rather "providing the information," as the value of higher education inherently speaks for itself.
What an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Private University Business School Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Higher Education Industry
Trisha wishes they had known how much constant communication and interaction the outreach and recruitment role would require, especially after transitioning from a fully remote position; while the constant "talking and interactions with people" can be exhausting, it's "so worth it" because of passion for the subject matter. The role involves a significant amount of travel, events, and general on-the-go interaction, requiring one to be "on like all the time."
Entry-level positions for aspiring Recruitment Professionals
Trisha acknowledges that Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at Business School for a Private University role was not an entry-level position for them, and in getting familiar with similar roles, the most impactful skills for undergraduates to focus on are communication, outreach, and networking, as knowing "to meet people where they're at" is essential for effective recruitment. The marketing and recruitment teams also work very closely together.
Significant Career Lesson From An Assistant Director Of Outreach And Recruitment At A Private University Business School
The most significant career lesson Trisha learned is the profound impact of passion on overall quality of life, contrasting a previous unfulfilling role with the current position where they are "so happy to come to work" and energized by the mission. Connecting with alma mater career counselors to find a good fit led to discovering work that is fulfilling, resulting in a consistently good mood and excitement even when exhausted.
College Experiences That Helped an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at a Private University Business School Succeed
Trisha, the Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment, emphasizes that while the specific content of college courses may not directly translate to a career, the "hard work ethic" and skills developed through managing deadlines, preparation, and organization are invaluable. These soft skills, honed from being a "successful student," have been crucial to success in both current and previous positions.
How Identity Has Influenced an Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment's Career at a Private University Business School
Trisha's identity significantly impacted career choices, particularly after experiencing gender biases in the automotive industry, where experiences left the career professional feeling unsupported and undervalued, leading to a career change. This prompted a deliberate move to higher education, where the career professional now feels "so supported" and values the inclusive environment, emphasizing that "knowing that...voice is heard the exact same...feels so impactful and amazing."
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page