Should I work for a for-profit university?

January 20, 2011 12:04 PM

Should I apply for a job in for-profit university administration?

I would really love to work in university administration, but such jobs are scarce in my neck of the woods (the Southwest) and I've received nary a call in response to the resumes I have submitted.

Now I'm getting nervous. I am almost done with my dissertation (in the humanities) and my fellowship runs out this May (I do not want to go into teaching). I have three years experience in university administration, but, as I mention above, it doesn't seem to be doing me much good. I've noticed regular job postings from for-profit universities, but have yet to apply to any of them -- I've always thought working at a for-profit university might hurt my chances of one day working for a not-for-profit university (though, is there really such a thing anymore?).

My question: Am I being delusional? Or would working at a for-profit university besmirch my resume somehow? And are there any perks to working at a for-profit university? I mean, for those of you who do (or have done) so, was it rewarding? Are working conditions tolerable? Of course I realize this depends on the school, but I'm just trying to get a sense of the work conditions at such schools.

Given the current economic crisis, I can't help but think that work is work, but I do notice the storm that is (and has been) brewing about for-profit education, and I don't want to do anything that might jeopardize future job prospects in a field I love.

posted by Ylajali to Work & Money (7 answers total)

I've always thought working at a for-profit university might hurt my chances of one day working for a not-for-profit university (though, is there really such a thing anymore?).

Well, I can answer that parenthetical question, if it's meant seriously. Most, if not all, major household-name-recognition type private universities are operated as not-for-profit (i.e. 501(c)(3)) enterprises, yes. And that is not likely to change any time soon, as it's inherent to how they do business. State universities are also obviously operated on a not-for-profit basis.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:14 PM on January 20, 2011

You might be interested in this previous question. Work is work, and many future CV readers will understand that in the current academic economy, but I'd say you should still regard this as an absolute last resort and not really preferable to simply finding non-academic employment.
posted by RogerB at 12:15 PM on January 20, 2011

It depends so very much on the institution. There are for-profit institutions (often the large, well-known ones) that are loaded with sketchy practices (educational and employment-wise) that are best to stay away from. But there are also many others (particularly smaller ones with a special focus, as in a particular career field) that can be as rewarding or more than a traditional university.

Do your homework on the particular institution(s) in question. Look for write-ups on them in the Chronicle and on Inside Higher Ed. Search online and see if they are associated with lots of sketchy pay-per-lead sites, or if they are lower-profile and higher-quality.

It certainly can't hurt to apply to the ones that seem OK and go through the interview process. Use that process to interview them. You should quickly get a sense in-person of whether you're dealing with a solid institution or one that would be a) intolerable to work at and/or b) embarrassing to have on your resume.
posted by dayintoday at 12:22 PM on January 20, 2011

No answers here, but another place you might ask: Confessions of a Community College Dean -- he's got very active regular commenters, and IIRC he was at a for-profit before going to the CC.
posted by epersonae at 1:08 PM on January 20, 2011

I work in senior administration at a non-for-profit institution in Canada. If you were to apply for a position, I would look at your qualifications and your work experience.

Unless you indicated that you were involved in setting up an institution of dubious reputation, or in a position involved with the marketing of such, I would not hold it against you.

And, to be clear: I would not automatically equate for-profit = dubious reputation.

Good university administrators are sought after. Do a good job, make a positive difference where ever you go, and you'll have a good career.

Good luck!
posted by aroberge at 1:17 PM on January 20, 2011

I agree with the above, it will have no negative effect on your resume. Work experience is work experience, especially in administration. My only caution is that it may be a terrible terrible job, not in the evil boss nasty coworkers way but in the way that you feel you are actually hurting people by coming to work (I've had a job like that in a totally different field and it was awful). Many many of these institutions are filled with practices that flat out take advantage of people whose only goal is to work hard and better themselves. Look for one that's not, all the major ones have been in the newspaper lately, do a google search and avoid every one is my advice. I may be off about this but I think where the problem comes is when these chain schools become publicly traded, and therefore are responsible to shareholders not to students. Maybe look for one that's not.
posted by boobjob at 6:32 PM on January 20, 2011 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for all the fantastic advice! I've decided to hold off for now on applying to for-profit schools -- all the ones that are advertising are the shady ones you read about in the news. And I cannot go about defrauding people to make a buck. So I've decided to sign up with a temp agency. I found out which one services the not-for-profit university in my area and I'm hoping I can at least get a temporary job in university administration (that perhaps will turn into a permanent job! I saw that happen quite often at my previous university job).
posted by Ylajali at 7:32 AM on January 21, 2011