October 24, 2022

In Today's Economy, Careers in College Athletics and Higher Ed Should Include Opportunities To Earn Credentials, Certificates and Develop Entrepreneurial Skills

51 minutes

The trend of higher education employees leaving their jobs before they have been offered another is an under-mentioned aspect of the “Great Resignation”. Whether the reason could be due to caregiving for a family member or friend, or the acceleration of wage growth in sectors outside of higher ed, it has highlighted a lack of pay, work/life balance and/or growth opportunities (i.e. “career paths”) for those who work at colleges. Simply put, we have focused on that for our students, but we have done a poor job of mentoring and growing our employees. This is especially important to those who start as entry level staff in academic advising, athletics marketing and communications (events and promotions), and media who want to be able to rise through the organization.

Credentials, Entrepreneurship and Certificates are part of the workforce future in higher education.

My guests today work for a company that has produced some remarkable research in this area, calling attention to an opportunity for higher ed workplaces to focus on how to grow employees, not just hire them. Dr. Ruth Watkins is the President of Strada Impact, a part of the Strada Educational Network. She is the former president and provost at the University of Utah. We are also joined by Dr. Courtney McBeth, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer for the Strada Education Network. Courtney was a soccer student-athlete at the University of Utah. Both bring powerful expertise to a discussion that includes NIL, entrepreneurship and the high turnover rates in athletic department employees.

We also discuss the impact on the University of Utah’s entrance into the Pac-12, what it means both from an institutional alignment perspective and from a career opportunity perspective for Utah student athletes.

More info on Strada: Strada Education Network is a national nonprofit social impact organization that collaborates with learners, educators, employers, and policy makers across the U.S. to bring to life a postsecondary education and training (PSET) ecosystem that provides equitable pathways to opportunity.

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