Wanted: individuals who are great supporters, who would like to help others realize their personal and professional dreams, who work well in a team environment, and who appreciate intellectual stimulation. If these are all descriptions that portray you, you may be interested in pursuing a career as an academic secretary. As an academic secretary you will directly contribute to the successes of higher learning institutions by ensuring that everything, from grant allocation to library oversight, runs smoothly.
The Advantages of an Academic Secretary Job
One of the major benefits of working in the world of academia is the working environment itself. When employed by a higher learning institution, you are constantly given the opportunity to work with a variety of professionals and nonprofessionals alike, including academics on a local and international scale. Because of this, you are always presented with unique and never-before-seen challenges and tasks that provide great opportunities to learn. Also, in many instances, you also are able to assist students and help them achieve their goals of earning a college education, which can be immensely satisfying.
Working as an academic secretary also means that you are constantly working with new technology. This not only allows you to enhance your skills, but it also often will provide easier and more efficient means by which to accomplish your job tasks.
The Disadvantages of an Academic Secretary Job
Although there are several personally satisfying aspects that come with a job as an academic secretary, there is one major downside: compensation. Like many jobs in education, salaries tend to be on the lower end of the spectrum. And, especially now that funding for higher education has been cut, increases in pay do not appear to be on the horizon. It should be noted, though, that salary is dependent upon whether you work for a state or private institution.
Where Will an Academic Secretary Work?
Serving as an academic secretary usually means that you will serve in an administrative role for a particular academic department, the office of a dean, provost, or other university administrator, or work in the school library, a laboratory, or the admissions office. Job responsibilities will vary significantly and may involve providing assistance in the administration of a grant to assisting students and the dean for which you work.
The Perks of an Academic Secretary Job
Many employees of higher learning institutions are given the same benefits as government employees. Academic secretaries also often have the flexibility to take time off whenever they want, and some are afforded extra holidays that employees in the private sector or not. Besides time off and benefits, however, one of the best perks of an academic secretary job is directly related to education. Often, if you choose to attend school at the college where you work, tuition costs are reduced or completed covered. In some instances, all tuition expenses are paid for not only for the employee, but the employee and his or her children.
Academic Secretary Job Requirements
If a job as an academic secretary seems like the perfect admin job for you, there are some skills that any admin professional will need in order to succeed. Because academic secretaries work with a variety of individuals, and sometimes individuals who are in difficult circumstances, they should have patience, appreciation and empathy for people who are different from them, possess a solid understanding of academic protocol, policies, and procedures.
In the end, working as an academic secretary means that you will have the opportunity to develop a unique skill-set, take part in diverse and worthwhile projects, and work with some of the world's brightest minds in a one-of-a-kind working environment.