Career Plan

1. Eva Hughes
WFED 3050
Non-Teaching Major Career Planning Assignment
1. Immediately after graduating this December, my goal is to first become a Leadership
Consultant working for Sigma Kappa Sorority. The application to become a Leadership
Consultant opens October 15th and closes November 15th. Soon after graduation, I will
know whether or not I will be offered a position as a Leadership Consultant for August
2020 - June 2021. Leadership Consultants are employees of the sorority whose position is
to “lead undergraduate officers and members in creating the finest and most rewarding
collegiate experience a young woman can have” (Sigma Kappa, 2019). This potential
position fits into my career ladder, as I would be constantly connecting with higher
education professionals at the multitude of universities and colleges that I would be
traveling to each week. After being a Leadership Consultant for a year or two, I will then
apply to a graduate program to study Higher Education and Student Affairs. While in
graduate school, I will also be working as a Graduate Assistant in their student services
department in some capacity. This position will most likely pay for my graduate school
classes plus a slight income for my work as a GA. After completing my master’s degree,
I will be looking for a position as a Coordinator of Fraternity/Sorority Life and
Leadership at a university.
2. My dream job is to become the Director of Student Affairs/Services or, more formally, a
Postsecondary Education Administrator at a university. At WMU, this position is called
the Director of the Office of Student Engagement, but each university has its own unique
title for this type of position. From my various leadership roles in college to my first few
positions out of college, I plan to continue climbing my career ladder until I reach my
dream job of working with undergraduate student leaders. Although I have previously
seen elementary education as my pathway to happiness and success, the field of higher
education appeals more so to my strengths and my passion.
3. Dream Job: Postsecondary Education Administrator (Director of the Office of Student
Engagement)
● Salary Potential: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median
pay for a Postsecondary Education Administrator in 2018 was $94,340 per
year ($45.36 per hour).
● Work Conditions: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in
reference to the work environment, “Postsecondary education
administrators work for public and private schools. Most work full time.”
● Education Required: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the
majority of positions require a master’s degree; however, some positions

2. at smaller colleges and community colleges may only require a bachelor’s
degree.
● Typical Benefits: “Benefits for college education administrators usually
include generous health and pension packages along with 4 to 5 weeks of
vacation each year. Plus, employees can typically take advantage of free
tuition for themselves and their families at the college or university where
they work” (College Education Administrators, 2019).
● Job Demand: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for
Postsecondary Education Administrators is “projected to grow 7 percent
from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations”.
● Skills Needed:
○ Computer Skills: Postsecondary education administrators need to
be comfortable working with computers so they can use software
to manage student and school records.
○ Interpersonal Skills: Postsecondary education administrators need
to build good relationships with colleagues, students, and parents.
For example, those in admissions need to be outgoing so they can
encourage prospective students to apply to the school.
○ Organizational Skills: Administrators need to be organized so they
can manage records, prioritize tasks, and coordinate activities with
their staff.
○ Problem-Solving Skills: Administrators need to react calmly when
a difficult situation arises and develop creative solutions.
● Work/Life Balance: Postsecondary Education Administrators work year
around Monday through Friday, in addition to occasional nights and
weekends; however, some schools may reduce their hours during the
summer. Postsecondary Education Administrators tend to work nights and
weekends during the times of recruitment and other special events for the
different councils throughout the school year. Something to consider with
a position like this is the need to live near a college campus or university,
as well as the possibility of relocating to a different university to continue
moving up the career ladder.
● Structure of Work: The structure of work on a daily basis would consist of
meetings with different student leaders, presentations for the student body,
and holding office hours. Each day is different and is dependent on the
need of the student leaders at that given time.
● Career Ladder: “Postsecondary Education Administrators with advanced
degrees can be promoted to higher level positions within their department
or college. Some become college presidents, an occupation which is
discussed in the profile on top executives” (Raise Labs, Inc., 2019).

3. Possible career options for Postsecondary Education Administrators can
include: admissions counselors, athletic directors, college registrars,
director of student services, provosts, and university deans. Some similar,
higher paid career options are elementary, middle, and high school
principals, human resources managers, and training and development
managers. One of the appeals of this career is the multitude of different
career paths under the umbrella of Postsecondary Education
Administrator.
4. Job postings that match the position of Coordinator of Fraternity/Sorority Life and
Leadership
1) Coordinator of Fraternity/Sorority Life and New Student Programs at
Loyola University
❖ Description: “The Coordinator of Fraternity/Sorority Life & New Student
Programs is a 12 month, full-time position that works with a professional
team to oversee the development, implementation, and management of
campus-wide involvement and transition programs that are holistic,
mission-driven, and rooted in best practices” (Fraternity Sorority Life
Jobs, 2019).
❖ Required Qualifications:
➢ Master's Degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student
Personnel, or directly related field.
➢ Minimum of 1-year professional experience in Student Affairs.
Sound judgment, initiative and discretion in handling highly
confidential and sensitive matters.
➢ Strong written and verbal communication skills.
➢ Performance and conduct supportive of the principles of a Jesuit
education and the goals of the university.
➢ Knowledge in theoretical and research foundations of student
development.
❖ Additional Desirable Qualifications:
➢ Ability to set priorities and solve problems independently.
➢ Ability to motivate and collaborate with student led groups.
➢ Ability to work in a fast-paced, student-centered, and collaborative
office.
➢ Experience advising fraternal organizations.
➢ Experience working with New Student Orientation programs.
➢ Excellent presentation and speaking skills.
❖ Citation for Job Posting:

4. Fraternity Sorority Life Jobs. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Fraternity
Sorority
Life&aceid&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXFzxbmioUv61UjjnD_mcCHLif
aDsLloBbujFck4qIERq4DjHN-d1UaAs9QEALw_wcB&vjk=51fd091fb8bac048.
2) Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Programs at the University
of Iowa
❖ Description: “The Division of Student Life is seeking an Associate
Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life to provide administrative oversight
and strategic direction to the UI Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL)
Community, consisting of 50 chapters and 3,600 students. This position
will supervise three Professional & Scientific staff members and graduate
students who provide advice, programmatic coordination, and fiduciary
oversight of the four governing councils – Interfraternity, Multicultural
Greek, National Pan-Hellenic, and Panhellenic Councils” (Fraternity
Sorority Life Jobs, 2019).
❖ Additional Details: “This position works with the Director of Student
Involvement on summer and spring New Student Orientation programs.
Specifically, this individual trains and oversees the Orientation Leaders,
manages Orientation logistics, and oversees communication for both the
fall and spring New Student Orientation programs. Another key
responsibility of this position is to oversee the Fraternity & Sorority
Community, serving as an advisor for all governing councils and
implementing educational and leadership programs for members”
(Fraternity Sorority Life Jobs, 2019).
❖ Required Qualifications:
➢ Master's degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education
Administration, Student Development, or related discipline or an
equivalent combination of education and related experience.
➢ Affiliation with an inter/national fraternity or sorority.
➢ Demonstrated understanding of the Association of
Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, National Association of Latino
Fraternal Organizations, National APIA Panhellenic Association,
National Pan-Hellenic Council, National Panhellenic Conference,
North American Interfraternity Conference, and/or other umbrella
fraternal organizations.
➢ Extensive understanding of effective communication concepts,
tools, and techniques; ability to effectively transmit, receive, and

5. accurately interpret ideas, information, and needs through the
application of appropriate communication behaviors.
➢ Demonstrated working knowledge and proficiency in use of
Microsoft Office software applications (Word, Excel, Outlook).
➢ Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and
weekends.
➢ Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and
experience working with people of color and other historically
underrepresented groups.
➢ Extensive experience in event planning and programming; ability
to plan, organize, fiscally manage, and execute large-scale student
life events and to coordinate resources before, during and after an
event.
❖ Additional Desirable Qualifications:
➢ Experience of more than 3 years in higher education in advising,
developing, coordinating, and evaluating student life programs,
particularly in fraternity and sorority life programs, is strongly
preferred.
➢ Working experience in negotiation of contractual agreements in the
areas of university, cultural, educational, and entertainment
programming.
➢ Knowledge of assessment methods and activities; ability to assess
programs and review students' learning outcomes to ensure
achievement of objectives and strategies.
➢ Extensive ability to apply organization's performance management
system, practices, and tools to developing and improving
individual, team, and organizational performance.
➢ Knowledge of and ability to apply policies and practices for
planning and administering a budget and managing expenses.
❖ Citation for Job Posting:
Fraternity Sorority Life Jobs. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Fraternity
Sorority

6. Life&aceid&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXFzxbmioUv61UjjnD_mcCHLif
aDsLloBbujFck4qIERq4DjHN-d1UaAs9QEALw_wcB&vjk=a5bdbb5a937522ad.
References
College Education Administrators. (2019). Retrieved from
https://www.campusexplorer.com/careers/AF84CEDC/college-education-administrators/.
Fraternity Sorority Life Jobs. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Fraternity
Sorority

7. Life&aceid&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXFzxbmioUv61UjjnD_mcCHLif
aDsLloBbujFck4qIERq4DjHN-d1UaAs9QEALw_wcB&vjk=51fd091fb8bac048.
Fraternity Sorority Life Jobs. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=Fraternity
Sorority
Life&aceid&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoKzsBRC5ARIsAITcwXFzxbmioUv61UjjnD_mcCHLif
aDsLloBbujFck4qIERq4DjHN-d1UaAs9QEALw_wcB&vjk=a5bdbb5a937522ad.
Postsecondary Education Administrators : Occupational Outlook Handbook: (2019). Retrieved
from
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm#tab-6
Raise Labs, Inc. (2019). Student Affairs Administrators: Salary, career path, job outlook,
education and more. Retrieved from
https://www.raise.me/careers/management/postsecondary-education-
administrators/student-affairs-administrators.
Sigma Kappa. (2019). Retrieved from https://sigmakappa.org/lc-application/.