Understand the sector and develop your expertise
If you’re new to Student Services leadership in UK higher education, or you’re developing your knowledge, there are several ways for you to learn more about our sector.
Staying at your current organisation
At your current organisation, you might want to make changes to your role, or the changes may be imposed upon you by strategic or structural requirements. You may be looking to:
- Take on a wider remit or responsibility for more services, departments, staff or processes (for example Prevent, safeguarding, support to study).
- Move to a different role at the same level or in a new area. For example, you may be interested in moving sideways within your organisation, from leading one service area to another, or moving to an area outside of Student Services altogether, like Estates or Registry.
- Evidence your suitability for promotion or argue for more pay or status.
Moving to a new organisation
If you’re thinking about moving to a different organisation, you might want to:
- Navigate your recruitment options.
- Understand what recruiters are looking for and develop your profile as a desirable candidate.
- Evidence your suitability for recruitment.
Resources to help you
These resources may help you prepare for these changes.
Maintain and develop your expertise in Student Services
As you take on responsibility for more services, departments, or processes, it’s important to maintain and develop your expertise in Student Services to meet the challenges of increased responsibility.
Identify areas of Student Services expertise that you need to develop
Being a great Student Services leader isn’t just about experience. It’s about knowing your strengths, spotting what you want to get better at and staying open to learning. The best leaders keep growing, lean on their networks and find new ways to face challenges with confidence.
Develop your leadership and management skills
If you’re taking on responsibility for more staff teams or raising your profile within your organisation or the wider sector, it’s important to develop your leadership and management skills.
Develop your leadership skills and approaches
Aside from your expertise in Student Services, you are a leader and manager. It’s important to develop and refresh your skills and approaches to ensure you’re strategic and impactful, and you’re getting the best from your teams and supporting them with what they need.
Understand your own value and potential
Whether you intend to leave your current organisation or not, career coaches and recruitment consultants (especially those who specialise in higher education and Student Services) can help you understand and achieve your career aims.
They can help you understand how your skills and experience map to the needs and expectations of different roles and organisations. For example, a new higher education provider may be a different size or have a different structure, perhaps with different job titles or expectations of your qualifications.
They can also help you present yourself to advantage when you apply or interview.
It’s also worthwhile keeping your eye on vacancies that are posted online. Even if you're not interested in the organisation or role, take a look at the job specification and person description, and see how your skills, experience and abilities relate to what’s currently in demand.
Career coaches, recruitment consultants and jobs listings
Career coaches and specialist recruitment consultants can help you understand and achieve your career aims. And you can find current vacancies online.
Here are some resources you might find useful.
Members only
Evidence your suitability for promotion or recruitment
You might want to prepare to move to future roles by consolidating your experience in a sector-recognised format, for example a qualification or accreditation.
Consolidate or document your experience
As a busy Student Services leader you’ll have developed a wealth of experience and expertise throughout your career. But the UK Student Services sector doesn’t have a formal framework for you to record and document what you know. So you may want to consider other ways to consolidate or document your expertise in a sector-recognised format. This can be useful if you’re looking to advance in your career or argue for more pay or status.
Use your contacts
You might want to speak to colleagues and peers to:
- Learn how they responded to the sorts of changes you’re anticipating.
- Ask for their advice about making the most of your opportunities.
- Understand how your professional profile comes across.
- Find out about openings and potential roles.
Our AMOSSHE community connects you with a network of Student Services professionals in the UK and worldwide.
Our membership network
AMOSSHE is the UK’s professional association for Student Services leaders in higher education. Our members include the most experienced Student Services leaders in the country, dealing with real and demanding challenges every day. As a member, you become part of a supportive community, helping each other out and promoting good practice.
