For a while, I had been thinking about taking a new step in my academic career. As I have been a full professor for nearly a decade the next logical step is moving into a university administration role. But I wasn't quite sure where I would fit. Head of department involves a lot of checking of progress of individual students, and I wanted to orient myself towards a role that could have a larger legacy and that would be strategy-oriented.
The idea didn’t just pop up overnight. It came from watching some of my colleagues (of my generation and generations above) at other institutions take on responsibilities beyond research and teaching; roles that involve strategic decisions, managing people, and shaping the future of their departments or faculties. Seeing what others were doing gave me something concrete to reflect on. It helped me imagine what such a step might look like in my own context. It also made me realize that preparing for a new career direction doesn’t necessarily mean quitting your current job or making drastic changes overnight. Often, the most powerful changes begin exactly where you are.
So, if you're also thinking about your next move (a shift within academia, a leap into management, or a completely different field) here are some things you can do right now in your current position to get ready:
1. Talk to others who have made a similar move
Don’t underestimate the value of going to grab a coffee with someone. Hearing their experience transitioning into administration, industry, or another academic path can provide valuable insights. What did they find most surprising? What skills helped them the most? Would they do anything differently? What does their days look like?
2. Identify which skills are needed and start building them
A career move often requires a shift in your skillset. If you're considering a role in leadership, for example, skills like budgeting, team coordination, and strategic planning are key. You might already use some of these in your current role, but there’s always room to grow. Look for training opportunities, online courses, or small-scale projects where you can learn by doing. Or, you may want to start looking for bigger, more multidisciplinary projects which will raise your profile.
3. Consider the timing; professionally and personally
Just as no research project is ever “fully done,” the timing for a big change may never feel perfect. But it’s still important to consider how a new role would fit with your family life, caregiving responsibilities, or other long-term goals. Also, if you just got a very big research project, now may not be the right time . So ask yourself a few questions: would you need more flexibility? Would relocating be involved? Be honest with yourself and discuss these things with the people closest to you.
4. Start acting like the person you want to become
One mindset shift that really helped me was asking: How would I show up differently if I already had this new role? Would I show up differently? Would I speak up more in meetings? Would I take more initiative? Even small changes in behavior can help you grow into your future role and help others see you in that light too.
5. Look for stretch assignments or service opportunities
You don’t have to wait for an official title to start doing the work. Volunteer for a working group, join a hiring committee, or offer to coordinate a small project. These are often excellent low-stakes ways to get experience with decision-making, diplomacy, and leadership, and if you are looking for an internal promotion, can raise your visibility. In my case, I took on a smaller administrative role in 2018 to start getting a feeling for it.
6. Update your professional story
If you’re moving into a new direction, make sure your CV, online profile, and conversations reflect that. You don’t need to abandon your research identity, but think about how to frame your current work as part of a broader trajectory. What themes are you passionate about? What type of impact do you want to have?
7. Manage your energy, not just your time
Taking on new challenges will require focus. That means learning to protect your most productive hours, recognizing what drains you, and building recovery time into your schedule. You need to be able to show up as your best self for the work that matters most, and to start finding the time to prepare yourself to transition to your new role.
Preparing for your next career step doesn’t have to mean abandoning your current activities. Often, the foundation for your future is already present in your day-to-day activities. Whether your path leads you toward leadership, policy work, public engagement, or another sector entirely, you can begin exploring and growing into that role right now.