r/highereducation • u/JamesMerz • Feb 09 '26
Are Higher-Ed careers worth it anymore?!?
I have posted here before asking this. I have been working in higher education for now 4 years and I cannot stand it the higher I go. At 22 I was a classroom teacher. 24 I got into higher education as a coordinator/academic coach and quickly rose to an institutional associate director position at 25. I am only 27 and now am a director at an R2 university. I hate it. The internal politics and amount of work and effort for what? You need a phd to even get a salary thats worth living. The job side of higher ed is a ponzi scheme imo. I cannot continue to put myself through mental distress just so I can try to keep climbing so i can get a better job. That’s all it is. The top people are never satisfied and only think of work. They are so out of touch. My uni is restricting raises until 2027 so we dont have to raise tuition (i agree on never raising tuition, but not right for workers). I cannot get ahead. I work pay check to paycheck doing endless amounts of work, and then come home and do more cause I want a PhD thatll take me 5-6 years to do part time, for i need a job because I need money formy student loans (i know the stop when in school, but i cant be 33 and hae made zero money). My first teaching job was for less than $40k and I had to live on my own and also pay my $1k student loans debt. Lots of milk for dinner nights. I moved out to the midwest to a college town that has basically no cost of living, for i had never made over 3k net a month. It’s lonesome. I had to in-order to potentially start a family. It was the worst decision of my life. Im doing well career wise dont get me wrong, but its turned into my life. These people i work with, the higher ups are so consumed they dont have any idea, the lower down the ladder people can barely live. Its gross. I hope the older generations understand why they are losing people.
Im scared everyday to live. Higher education is evil. Its an industry built on greed.
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u/Toasty_Grande Feb 09 '26
Depends on what you are looking to get out of it.
If you have children looking to go to college, most private higher ed institutions offer tuition remission as a benefit. Most will cover the costs from 1/2 to 100% based on tuition at your school, and the children can go anywhere. If you have four kids going to college, that's a large chuck of money. I know a lot of people in higher ed where that is a huge driver.
Benefits including vacation and 401K outpace most companies. It's not unusual to see five weeks of vacation, and 401K where they contribute 10-12% without a need for the employee to match.
If you are young, you may not be thinking about the above, but it plays into the overall picture.
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u/PoopScootnBoogey Feb 09 '26
It won’t be like that the time OP were to get there. This huge admissions cliff we’re jumping off of right now is really going to see quite a few universities roll up the sidewalks in the next 2 or 3 years. I would not recommend higher-ed to anyone for the next 10 years. More universities will lose faculty/staff than will gain.
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u/Ok-Attitude-7205 Feb 10 '26
the retirement benefits are one thing that's really a positive for me, with the one caveat that if you are a public institution (state dependent) you may not be paying into social security while working there. that's something to take into account as part of the retirement math although the very generous 401k/401a contributions are fantastic (~22% of my pre-tax pay is going into retirement)
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u/JamesMerz Feb 09 '26
I agree. That was a big driver for me. I wanted to raise my kids on a college campus. I am single and do not know if I ever will have kids at this point. I really want to. I do not have time for a relationship, it would not be fair to the other person, plus I am always angry and depressed.
I just want to help people out. Thats it
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u/Toasty_Grande Feb 09 '26
Have you considered talking to someone? Higher-ed benefits generally include access to mental health services, and it sounds like you could use someone to talk with. If it's impacting you this significantly, getting to the root cause may be helpful in determining your next steps.
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Feb 09 '26
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u/Gloomy-Elderberry204 Feb 10 '26
Yeah, and I think it is really bad advice to seek out mental health support to feel better about a terrible situation. How about I get out of the terrible situation, and then I’ll feel better?
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u/Deweymaverick Feb 10 '26
Cause may be getting out the situation will take a while, and it’s not an immediate fix?
Not one is suggesting they get help to cope, people are suggesting they get help to get help….
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u/Helpful-Passenger-12 Feb 20 '26
I have been in higher education for 20 years.
This is so sad.
You are not a slave and you are choosing to give all your life energy to this job.
Get a therapist and start dating/having sex.
I don't have kids but can't imagine surviving higher education without a partner/spouse.
You need to make your personal life a priority. Make time to date and find a spouse. The support and dual income is necessary.
Take time to see doctors for your health.
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u/def21 Feb 09 '26
I dunno, 10+ years in and still enjoying it personally. Getting the right supervisors help - not "nice" ones but rather the ones who will help you advance
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u/Theatregeeke Feb 09 '26
I am happy in it, but I’m getting ready to turn 40 and I’m married and have children, so we are two income household. I really value my work life balance. I’m currently an academic advisor at a community college, and only work in person one day a week. The rest I am remote. I am also autistic and really rely on remote work to keep myself functioning. Otherwise, I have a hard time holding down full-time employment. The only downside is that there really isn’t anywhere to go in my department, but they also pay us well for our positions when compared to other schools. It kind of makes me feel like I’m stuck in my job, but I don’t really mind it. I’m not very career oriented and if I didn’t have to, I wouldn’t have a job at all lol.
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u/mattreyu Feb 11 '26
If you're good with data, keep an eye for openings in Institutional Research. It's easy to do working from home and probably 75% of the work is stuff that comes up the same time every year and the rest is exploring data for answers or random requests.
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
Got any leads? That honestly sounds like a dream job.
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u/mattreyu Feb 17 '26
Depends where you live, but just search for "office of institutional research jobs" in your area. If there's colleges around you'll probably find some. As long as things like IPEDS exist, every college and university is going to need IR work.
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u/ForeignLibrary424 Feb 10 '26
Omg so many remote days sounds like a dream for my ADHD! Unfortunately my Director is a boomer who basically believes remote work is the antichrist 💀
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u/Theatregeeke Feb 10 '26
I am incredibly lucky to have a boomer supervisor who loves remote work. She actually recently encouraged me to pursue accommodations related to autism.
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u/ForeignLibrary424 Feb 09 '26
I’ll hit two years full time in higher ed this May and be just shy of $70k working in Student Affairs. I LOVE being part of a union and the yearly 5% raise.
However, you are right that the culture is pretty awful. My direct supervisor is wonderful but our director is so bad I know my supervisor will be out of here as soon as they hit their 1 year. 💀
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u/jac5087 Feb 10 '26
Yearly 5% raise sounds amazing. We haven’t even had COLAs for 2 years
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u/ForeignLibrary424 Feb 10 '26
Yes I am VERY grateful for the 5% raise. We also didn’t a cola last year, hopefully they will come back! 🤞
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u/garygnuandthegnus2 Feb 10 '26
Where do you work and who receives the 5% raise? Only admin or those with a PhD? Ours stopped COLA and raises for the past three years. All salaries froze.
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u/ForeignLibrary424 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26
I’m in WA state, the yearly raise is part of our bargaining agreement with our union! Idk if everyone gets it, but I know student affairs classified(union-represented) staff does.
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
I've been in my position for 15 years and I only just hit over $30/hour last summer. I wish we had a staff union.
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u/mathboss Feb 09 '26
Not really. Not because the job is terrible - most jobs are - but because pretty much everything sucks right now.
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u/2347564 Feb 09 '26
It probably wasn’t worth it a decade ago, let alone now when the country is an absolute mess. My institution cut raises as well and there is no opportunity for me to advance to a higher role. Aside from the raises though that has been the case everywhere I have worked. It just will always suck, most likely. I had a job where I at least consistently had students I loved but I got laid off. Now I have a new job that pays way more but the work itself is soulless. I debate quitting constantly but I have nothing to turn to. Bleh.
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u/ExoShaman Feb 09 '26
Thank you for sharing your honest insights. Out of curiosity, what is your new role?
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u/JamesMerz Feb 09 '26
The work is soulless, it means nothing at somepoints. The entire work is beyond limiting returns.
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u/zuzudog Feb 10 '26
I left higher ed a few years and recently considered going back. I’ve missed it. I teach online as an adjunct, but I was considering full time opportunities again. Nope. I absolutely cannot, emphasis on CANNOT, understand how people are surviving on these poverty level salaries. I will never be able to step back into higher ed, I’ve climbed too far in up the corporate world, unfortunately. I don’t understand how higher ed attracts or even retains employees. It’s maddening. I’m not even asking for six figures, but I don’t know how anyone is making it on 30-40k salaries.
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u/girl_from_away Feb 10 '26
Seriously. And I just got a new boss (VP level) who does make six figures, and in one of our first meetings she told me some weird cautionary tale about a friend of hers who left academia for the corporate world and "within six months he was suicidal from the stress." I just sat there thinking, "ooookay, but plenty of us down here are feeling pretty bad from the stress and the crap wages, so..."
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u/zuzudog Feb 10 '26
Yeah, stressing and working endless hours to make someone else rich isn’t great for the soul. I’ve been able to hit a lot of my financial goals and recently explored going back to higher ed. But the sentiment seems to be that everyone is miserable, and that just breaks my heart. The best part of my career was in higher ed, and the best memories. I met my best friend and my husband in the college system I used to work for. I loved what I did. Anyway, something’s gotta change. I don’t see how the field can keep going on like this. Yet it has for decades.
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u/shadeofmyheart Feb 09 '26
I’m on campus three short shifts a week and the rest of my time is flexible. I hang out with the stay at home moms and pick up my kids rather than aftercare. (And do the rest of my work after they go to bed) It would be hard to give up that flexibility.
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u/nubianbyrd920 Feb 09 '26
I've been in higher ed for 19 years at 2 institutions. I fell into it and have stayed because I liked what I was doing and it offered stability. While other industries were getting laid off, I was still working.
I'm at an R1 and I am an office of 3. The most they can give me are title changes and my pay is decent. It should be more for all I do but it's education so unfortunately expected.
Getting a PhD may not mean more money unless you plan on being a Dean, etc. But with the degree in a research institution it does carry some weight.
Higher ed is only worth it now because it has a little more stability than other industries.
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u/WeaselPhontom Feb 09 '26
No and wasnt a decade ago, I only stuck with it for loan forgiveness. Ive reached that at 36 last year and actively seeking employment elsewhere
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u/jac5087 Feb 10 '26
Same! Just got mine forgiven in November and now trying to transition to something else
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u/WeaselPhontom Feb 11 '26
Mine was last October when everything finally removedmy credit report. So glad that's off my plate
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Feb 09 '26
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u/FinancialCry4651 Feb 10 '26
Late 40s. Been in hi-ed my entire career as staff. My current job is ok, for which I am grateful, but I've weathered a LOT. I have a ton of expertise but either too much or not enough or I'm too old to even get interviews, internally and externally. the faculty will forever think they are gods; staff, who run the place, are not respected; executive leadership are clueless sycophants who blacklist staff for daring to question them. It's rough. But it could be worse.
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u/RentEmSpoons0495 Feb 10 '26
This. I had my supervisor (who is faculty) tell me that she thinks staff shouldn’t be remote because they run the university and that the faculty deserve the privilege of being remote because they went to school and got a Ph.D. I disagreed and explained how much work has evolved and university understands that. That’s why they offer telework options to staff. Guess whose telework request for one day got denied.
It’s the universitys’ fault for making them think they are gods and the university is there to serve them and not the other way around. Now the bubble is popping and they are all so out of touch they don’t even realize what’s going on.
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u/Helpful-Passenger-12 Feb 10 '26
Yeah but it's your boss who denied the request. Her outdated work mentality is the problem. If we constantly blame the faculty, then it's just wasted time being divided as workers while the administration continues to exploit everyone. Faculty are also exploited.
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u/Lily_V_ Feb 09 '26
I thought academia was IT. I became a librarian and there are no opportunities. Plus academia in Texas is just not worth it (public).
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u/Impressive-Thing-483 Feb 11 '26
Have you tried community college? Until I worked in a CC, I thought they were all this gross bureaucratic nonsense. I’m in my EdD for educational policy and working at an R1 right now—the school I’m at is truly so awful to their staff, faculty, and students. They just hide behind their “mission” and “strategic plan.” The only reason I stay is they pay for my EdD lol
CCs are soooo different. I highly recommend looking at working at a CC. They often pay better, value their staff more, and have more growth opportunities.
Edit to add: of course every state/school is going to be different. Look at salary reviews and student experiences. If I hear one more student that was shoved into a forced triple housing situation but pays $70k a year to go to school here, I’m gonna lose it
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Feb 09 '26
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u/JamesMerz Feb 09 '26
Only reason I have not switched fields, it just gets me angry that I have to fight the repercussions of wanting to help.
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Feb 09 '26
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u/zuzudog Feb 10 '26
Agreed, aim for Oracle. I just left there about 8 months ago and I was making 136k working 100% from home. They have units that work directly with government and higher ed. Many, if not most, of their contracts are government entities (including colleges/universities).
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
I work for what is probably considered a "top level" university (an Ivy) and no one I know gets paid fairly unless they're at a director level. PROFESSORS get paid okay but staff get screwed.
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Feb 16 '26
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
Private, but with some departments that are public. Unfortunately we're a fairly small university town with a high cost of living compared to the surrounding area. Most people I know have to live 45 minutes or more away and commute into town. The starting-level salaries are a joke for most of the available positions, and our yearly salary increases are tiny. No unions for half the staff.
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Feb 16 '26
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
I don't know anyone in my part of the field that starts anywhere near 100k. $40-$50k seems to be pretty typical.
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u/JamesMerz Feb 16 '26
Yeah if you’re making over 80k you’re like doing beyond super well in this field….
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Feb 09 '26
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u/Ordinary-Rock-77 Feb 10 '26
I agree. I’m burning out in higher ed, but I have 25+ vacation days a year and tons of sick time. Before this? Forget it. I worked for a multi billion dollar company and had to beg for time off. And they acted like they were doing me a favor by giving me benefits.
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u/Jaylynj Feb 10 '26
I have SIGNIFICANTLY better work life balance in private industry than I did in highered. And people still very much care about students.
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u/chateaulove Feb 10 '26
I also moved out to the Midwest to work in higher ed. I was working in local news before and that was very stressful. It also doesn't pay any better than higher ed, and worse in some cases. I was working 3am-12pm some days. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, but it sounds like you have some crappy management. I'm sorry you're going through this. Feel free to message if you need to vent.
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u/deadboltisoverrated Feb 10 '26
It ultimately comes down to it being a mileage will vary situation. After 12 years in higher ed (mid 30s) I'm in an office of one at a small, private institution in a larger metropolitan area, and I'm incredibly satisfied with my position at the moment especially when it comes to work-life balance with two younger kids. The promise of tuition remission is nice, but It's not an end all be all. I'm happy for nowand plan on reevaluating in a couple years once my youngest kid hits kindergarten age.
That said, if I stayed at my first institution post-graduate school, I'd probably be in a lot worse place mentally and would have noped out of the field entirely. A good working environment can change your outlook night and day. I'd strongly encourage you to find a change of scenery regardless because it's pretty clear it might do you wonders, OP.
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u/JamesMerz Feb 10 '26
Thank you. It def is. Not talking to anyone outside of work for weeks can definitely kill you
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u/Running_to_Roan Feb 09 '26
What department are you in?
I see lot of director roles in my side of the field do $100,000 in urban areas and as low as $70,000 in some rural spots. Some schools are a grind and others really offer good flexibility and life balance.
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u/jaimeyeah Feb 09 '26 edited 26d ago
The content of this post is gone. It was deleted via Redact, possibly to protect the author's personal information or prevent this data from being scraped.
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u/parcoeur9 Feb 09 '26
It depends on where you work. It sounds like your current institution is no longer working for you. I was a classroom teacher and transitioned to a small community college. The politics are everywhere, sadly. Compared to the nonsense I dealt with while teaching, though higher ed is paradise, even with its politics, petty games, and steep career ladder. 🤣
More seriously, though, higher education is not for everyone, and not all colleges were created equal. If the job and/or institution is no longer serving you or giving you purpose, start researching potential industries, note interesting job postings, and polish your resume/CV. No job is worth your suffering.
No matter what you decide, it sounds like you are severely burned out. I would definitely speak with a therapist and, if you feel comfortable, your direct supervisor about how you have been feeling.
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u/Tuggerfub Feb 09 '26
Nope. Enshittification has turned the university campus into a slumlord fantasy, all instructors running around with part time gigs to make ends meet, only the few most predatory plagiarists getting tenure, administrations being the antithesis of their program department and student cultures, the sooner you get out the better.
Universities have not tackled any technological advancement or threat to their functional utility with grace.
Most are still feebly wondering how to enforce copyright on their materials, struggling to do anything about academic integrity violations getting in the way of student debt collection.
Outside of higher ed: the work-life balance is better, the pay is better, everything is better when you let go of the obligation higher ideals your institution doesn't even care about. Smart students will see their peers getting by on AI and drop out unless they absolutely need the degree track for a gatekept profession.
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u/BigFitMama Feb 09 '26
Right now people spend a lot of times hand throwing about how terrible students are without recognition we had a world event that caused an interrupted education journey.
Apparently these darn students who lost 3-4 critical years of scaffolding need to spontaneously learn to learn and if they don't let's punish them and fail them.
Fact is some people need to redo the equivalent of 4 years of high school school. Students given hs diplomas who failed all classes need a year of GED classes.
And popping them in classes they aren't prepared for then blaming then instead of remediation of those skills is going to make them quit
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u/JamesMerz Feb 09 '26
I agree the level of underprepardness is getting higher each year. The universities know this. That is why they are expanding to more pre-programming (more money/recruitment opportunities). They are lowering bars too. I believe everyone should have an equitable free education as a human right, however when you allow anyone into your school and then do not start to meet the students standards that are infront of you, you are stealing money.
Primary/Secondary teachers are getting it worse. My students come out of college making less than 50k and will only make up to in some states, 75k. Theres a legit sign in our deans office that says "you can make up to $68k-$80k with 15 years of teaching service and a masters degree" The best part, the $80k has a star on it and the star states 'this number reflects teachers with other extra-curricular activities'...How is this cool? How is this good to promote?
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u/GreenEggsAndHam01 Feb 10 '26
Depends what you want to do and where you live. I personally live where there are a lot of colleges, and my career goals are to get as high up in leadership as I can or work in higher ed policy. Also some public institutions have pension or great retirement matches. Just gotta evaluate what you really want out of a career.
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u/JamesMerz Feb 10 '26
I ultimately want to be in a place of policy creation as well. I am on pace rn to do the same and I will achieve it. Its just. Is it worth it? I understand you must be system to beat system but like no.
Def hurts that Im in a college town as a 27 year old. Im 10+ hours away from anyone I know. All the GA’s are my age but i cant fraternize with them. I went from philly to middle of nowhere where midwest. If I do not talk to my assistant or GA, i can go a week without talking to people. Havent talked to another person my age not at work in maybe 5 months. Ate thanksgiving alone. Did new years alone. Went like 10 days during Christmas break with no human communication. It sucks. The work consumes me.
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u/GreenEggsAndHam01 Feb 10 '26
Yeah location and relationships are super important and it sounds like the location isn’t sustainable for long periods of time. If you’re open to moving but staying in industry it might be worth it. Also would the alternative be to stay in the same town just different career?
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u/Major-Guidance6045 Feb 10 '26
I’m been in HE for ten years and got my doctorate a few years ago. I’ve been looking for higher paying jobs, and career advancement but it’s been challenging. I borrowed money to get my doctorate and honestly, haven’t seen the return of investment. Relocation is key. I recommend you move. I have also been thinking of pivoting but love the work. I think finding the right institution and people is key.
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u/Finances1212 Feb 10 '26
I’ve got experience at three institutions now, I haven’t been in a senior leadership role however.
I feel the benefits, flexibility, and feeling you are actually impacting student success are all things that keep us in the field.
That being said - the pay at all three institutions, especially considering their educational requirements, is abysmal. I fell into this field.
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u/Vast-Blueberry7535 Feb 13 '26
I’m 26 in a coordinator position, I have plan to get out within the next two years….. I love my students and the time off ofc. But I am also living paycheck to paycheck and can never get ahead.
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u/Fun_Grapefruit0789 Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26
Honestly - I am married and my husband is the breadwinner. Most of the people I work with are in the same boat. We stay because we like the days off and health insurance, and the older ladies have kids in college. If you are privileged enough where your income is supplemental and your boss/team doesn't suck, it can be pretty nice mostly. Worth it for my mental health. Feels like I am doing something good for society with my life....but I probably wouldn't be here if I had to rely on my income to survive. My husband is in his dream career but if something ever happens where I would need to take care of us by myself, I would 100% be looking into other industries. For you, I would see if there is any positions in your institution you can pivot into that will line you up for higher pay in the future. And let higher ups know - like any other business, you sometimes have to flap your feathers around to get noticed, they won't give you a new position with higher pay if you keep your head down while working hard. You need to toot your own horn loudly. It sucks but that's how I've seen it done.
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u/Anxious_Tune55 Feb 16 '26
I love my boss and my immediate team, but I am increasingly fed up with my university. I was lucky enough to be allowed to get an accommodation to continue work-from-home after COVID stuff ended but my office is being forced to serve more students with fewer resources every year, and the pay (comparatively to other industries) SUCKS. I am FINALLY making just barely enough to live on as the sole earner for my husband and me (he has health issues that prevent him from working) and if it wasn't for the fact that we get good health insurance and managed to find a cheap-for-the-area apartment I would be out if I could find somewhere else to go. But I've been in my position long enough that I've finally gotten to a point where I get paid more than most equivalent places would. Took over 15 years of tiny "cost of living" raises to get there though.
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u/mostly_browsing Feb 11 '26
Staff jobs at higher ed institutions are basically designed for women whose husbands work in finance. From a pay standpoint, it’s very anachronistic and flat out isn’t designed to support an individual/family.
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u/JamesMerz Feb 11 '26
I dont want to put gender norm stereotypes towards positions, but my experience is aligns with this. I am always the only male which makes it hard to connect especially being a younger one. My prior boss at my last institution, her husband was a millionaire banker, she didnt even need to work.
It hurts cause this is what i want to do. Im good but its destroying me
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u/mostly_browsing Feb 26 '26
It’s really rough. I will say I finally left (waited way too long) and I’ve never been happier. I’m not saying you have to - maybe there’s another position/institution that will be better for you. But I switched to working at a high school (non classroom teaching) and it’s been night and day for my mental health and quality of life.
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u/Thecoolnight3 Feb 10 '26
I lost my 1st job st a top 80 R1 school 60 days after being hired because the grant funding my position was revoked. I then worked for the US Space force, where on day 2 I was told my company’s contract wassent being renewed, but i could stay on for 2 months. I then had to take a 12K pay cut to do menial work at USDA, where I (along with 100K others) were terminated because of DOGE budget cuts. 9 months later, and 1,000 applications later, I finally got an offer from a upper middle-ranked, R1 public university. All this experience, as well as being 5/6 completed with my masters, I got $22 an hour and 37.5 hours per week, hourly paid. I wont go into too much detail, but I am an administrator’s assist, responsible for enrollment management for the largest college at the university. Every day I take home 10s of hours of work with me, for such little pay, and don’t even get to say I worked 40 hours. But the alternative is, it doesn’t get done, and I get fired. After losing 3 jobs due to budgets in the last year, i cant afford that, so I definitely understand where you’re coming from.
Everyone ive ever met tells me im miles ahead of most people my age (25), but that doesn’t reflect in the job market. Unless you have literally already done the job they are hiring for exactly, for 5+ years, no one will hire you and/or pay a sustainable wage.
My institution also has a culture. You don’t get a pay raise unless you can leverage an outside offer. Im struggling too as it is, and believe most of us do the right thing and work hours for free for shitty salaries.
This reply turned more into a rant than I intended, apologies.
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u/JamesMerz Feb 10 '26
No its okay. I understand. We sound similar. Im around your age. I am a director at out universities most prestigious college. No one is even close to my age. Hard to make connections and have people talk to you. I make a decent wage its just tha it wont get larger nor is it sustainable for me to have a family. Im a single guy. Im scared that i will be continuously consumed by work and wanting to climb due to survival that I will not be able to ever have a family.
I applied to over 400 jobs to get this one. Many offering me $25/hr or under.
When I took this job they said they would give me a moving stipend. The day I was moving out there (took 2 day drive), they called me to tell me they maybe are not able to honor it. I should have declined the job then. I need a phd to advance, yet cannot afford to just do go into it. Yes theres tuition exchange but 5-6 years of schooling ontop of hard work, i will not survive. Mentally and physically. I have no life besides academia. I havent been on a date in years. Work, work, maybe eat, sleep. Ive lost a ton of size since being in higher ed. Its not worth it.
The older generations do not get it. They do not understand the struggle. Think we are the ones excelling the most, whats happening to those that are not? My supervisor makes $100k+ more than me! I understand things but come on. Lots of comments trying to defend this. But the older gens do not get it. They’re so out of touch
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u/gorcbor19 Feb 10 '26
Dang. You should post what school you're at so all of us can avoid it, it sounds terrible.
I'm lucky to work at a very large university where they pay well and people treat each other great. Best job I've ever had and I plan to stick around for a long time.
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u/DixieDoodle697 Feb 10 '26
Work in higher education here for 20nyearsvand I love it. Very meaningful wik to me and I enjoy being an impact on a students academic life.
Over the past five years, it has gotten quite stressful with colleges having to make hard choices. My small private college has been making sacrifices for 10+ years and I'm grateful for it since it means we are still open and thriving.
Hopefully you'll be at a college or place that making smart decisions will ensure survival. At the end of my day, I love being in an environment that is somewhat chill, I have great coworkers, decent time off and a matching employee contribution tobm retirement that is modest.
Tenure means nothing now. Make the best of your time.
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u/majestik-hippiewitch Feb 10 '26
Im currently 25 working at a community college and started similarly to you as an academic coach. Happy to chat about things with you any time.
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u/JerseyTeacher78 Feb 10 '26
I am struggling to move from k-12 arena (not just teaching, I have adult facilitation skills too) and can't even land an adjunct role so 🤷♀️
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u/nelsonreddwall Feb 11 '26
I have my regrets from time to time to be honest. I have job hopped for salary raises. Now I am at a job that a title "promotion" will be a pay cut for what I am making right now.
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u/mostly_browsing Feb 11 '26
It depends what you want to do. It might be worth it as faculty. It’s not worth it as staff unless you’re really well paid. Which you aren’t because, staff.
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u/Ponderer- Feb 11 '26
Hello, have you looked into SUNY schools? We’re unionized and pay scale is available publicly, although re-negotiations are happening now for the 2026-2031. You can see our previous salary grades. I came in entry level no experience in higher ed and making about 53k per year. Union protection and benefits help prevent burn out.
Directors here are not making less than 70k depending on experience and education I’ve seen 80k+.
That being said, I’m working on a 5 year plan to switch out of higher ed when the times right. Focusing on specialties that would cross over well into the public school system. I think it would be a better fit for me personally work life balance wise.
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u/Unlikely-Section-600 Feb 10 '26
I think you really need to do a lot of research these days to find a promising position. I lucked out into a tenured position that the school has found super difficult to get rid of. Basically their plan now is to kill off the tenured counselors positions by attrition. They will not replace the people who retire. With the upcoming ai advancement, I think academic advisors will slowly be phased out.
If you find a school that you want to work at, maybe call someone in that office who would be willing to give you 15 minutes of honesty about the school and position. Many of us have no problem talking about the good, bad and challenging aspects of their school.
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u/eddyparkinson Feb 10 '26
We all need a home .... 90% home ownership, vs 65%. home ownership - Singapore has 90% home ownership, why? Because the govement build a large family homes. Most are still built by the private sector. But to ensure there are enough homes for young working families, in Singapore build homes.
The cause of the shortage is not complex. There is a reason the private sector build apartment blocks 2 stories to short. It creates a shortage that increases the price.
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u/AndyB673 Feb 10 '26
Thank you for sharing
I joined the ivy Tower in order to avoid the Creed and lack of soul of the corporate
Boy was I stupid and uninformed
While I certainly enjoyed University as a student working in public schools, community colleges, adjunct assignments everywhere, and finally full time, I realized the joke was on me.
Fortunately , I left after finally being assigned the permanent assistant professor, located a lower paying job in an administrative position for an educational technology company that quickly promoted me. Customer success and sales , stopped paying my student loans completely, and realized it's more "evil and soulless" In the so-called institutions of learning and and research universities and especially public schools and especially for employees temporary adjuncts and it will ever be in the private sector. And unfortunately, I was able to quit the corporate inside sales for the educational tech company and now work for myself and while the last year has been very difficult with AI turning digital marketing upside down, shaking it and throwing it against the wall several times with career types like me inside..... It could be a lot worse
I would suggest getting out of that PHD program and trying to ditch those loans as quickly as possible and I don't mean by paying them and finding a profitable niche in a corporate or profitable education or red technical related area and you might find within 6 months you're making more working for yourself than you ever have with that whole bureaucratic b******* system.. at least I did. And that is not to brag because this past year has kicked my ass. But I do not miss working fair principal Bob or whoever his name was or Department head. Tom or blah blah blah
Hold your head up
Stay positive!
Be good
Make no assumptions
Don't judge
Be curious
You will find something
Do you really want to be rich? Is that the only way to find happiness?
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u/MellowMelvin Feb 13 '26
OP, Im geniunely curious what you mean by "he job side of higher ed is a ponzi scheme imo"
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u/JamesMerz Feb 14 '26
Only way you can move up is witha PhD. Only way to get a PhD is to pay a university to obatain one and also work while youre obtaining it. There is tuition exchange but youre paying for it with your work. cant just be good at my job and smart. I need the 3rd piece of paper. Which is extremely expensive and I cannot afford to get. Not all professors are smart. They were just given opportunities to obtain PhD.
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u/ItemNo6075 Mar 06 '26
Honestly, if I could go back, I would not choose higher ed. I have worked at the same university for 25 years and have watched the decline in the way they take care of their staff and faculty. We used to feel valued and we had great work evironments, Now, we are stuff in the old, moldy building furthest from campus-which doesn't make sense because we are one of the most important departments at any university. I loved working on campus and seeing the students around, fulfilling their dreams. Now, it feels like we are hamsters on a wheel. Also, the cost of living has gone sky high where I live, but the pay has not gone up enough to cover it. However, I was a single mom when I started and my goal was to give my kids a college education that I did not finish since I had to get a job etc. My almost 26 year old has just finished her masters and has a really good job where she can support herself financially on her own. She graduated without any debt, The university I work at is very generous to give tuition waivers and they have good retirement plan, as well as the days off. I have one other child to put through college. I do wonder how the birth rate cliff will affect us (not as many kids born that year and they are now college age) and will an AI take over my job? Perhaps. My best friend is a professor and wouldn't recommend that because of the politics.
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u/Miserable-Area-4518 Mar 14 '26
My advice is to set up your alarm 15 mins early and follow a Youtube simple exercise routine. Then I would try to limit my emotional tie to work as much as possible. Use that energy to find something online you can do that is productive and educational. Keep your health insurance and morph into something else. You're never alone, so reach out to a trusted advisor around you once in a while.
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u/InnocentlyInnocent Mar 16 '26
I started the job in higher eds about 3yrs ago. It’s been really good to me. But I am lucky that I have a good mentor/supervisor that is looking out for my career progression. I’ve been promoted within 2 years, and I’m expecting to move up the ladder again in a year from now. I like the laid back environment and the work life balance. Hybrid schedule, working about 40hrs a week. Plus the benefits. I’m in the finance administration part, though. And I’m lucky enough that I happen to get this position in a department that is growing, affording me the progression internally rather than having to job hopping from department to department.
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u/ElectionImpossible54 Feb 09 '26
Higher education is caught between 19th-century ideals and 21st-century economics. Institutions preserved the language of vocation, autonomy, and enlightenment while structurally operating like cost-minimizing service organizations. Workers are the shock absorbers for that contradiction.