Higher Education Administration

what do i do now?

What Do I Do as an Undergraduate If I'm Interested In Higher Education Administration?

Most student affairs positions require a master's degree in college student personnel, higher education administration, counseling psychology, or a related field. Some areas such as residence life, admissions, and alumni relations have entry level positions that require only a bachelor's degree.

In any case, you can get significant and meaningful experience in student affairs as an undergraduate. The following experiences will help to prepare you for future jobs but will also make you a better applicant for graduate programs.

Paraprofessional positions

On-Campus Involvement

  • Student government leadership
  • Student union programming
  • Advisory boards for campus groups
  • Hall government position
  • Involvement with campus sports
  • Mentoring programs
  • Community service trip leader
  • Work on student publications
  • Involvement with student religious organizations

Workshops, programs, conferences

Informational interviews

Individuals in Higher Education are extremely open to speaking about their career paths and their jobs.

  • Use the Alumni Career Network to locate BC alums in the field.
  • Or identify offices on campus in which you have an interest and call for an informational interview.

This will allow you to start to build up your network of contacts.

Remember, Boston College has graduate programs in both higher education administration and counseling. Faculty in those programs would be willing to speak with you as well. Click for tips on how to do informational interviews.

**some information used from:
-Chapter 4, "Careers in Postsecondary Settings," in Careers in Counseling and Human Development, by Susan R. Komives