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Working for a university

I

Good evening together

I'm finishing my postgrad degree this summer and think about what kind of job I want to do. My degree will be in Accounting. I have 1 year of experience, not in the UK though. But I want to stay here. So I thought why not work for a university. It is for sure a great environment to work in.

Any opinions?

I

Hey. Nobody any opinions or thoughts to contribute? Cheers!

D

Hey,

I would guess the best place to begin would be to look at current adverts for jobs in your field and see what the minimum requirements are. Many, but not all, places are likely to ask you to demonstrate the capacity for research through PhD / publications for a lecturing position. However, there might be some teaching only positions too.

A

Hi Inhalt

It depends on the conditions. A lot of Universities are only offering part time - fixed term contracts. With Accounting you will have the possibility of working in the private sector - which may offer better pay and conditions. Have a good look round before making your decision.

Regards
Angelette

I

Thanks for your opinions.

To clarify things, sorry I didn't make this clear earlier on: I would not want to work as a teacher/lecturer but work in uni administration!

B

Because of the cuts it's difficult to get into university administration work, as they try to redploy people at risk of redundancy if jobs come available. Unless you have specific skills and experience of working for a university, the pay is also not good.

R

Hi Inhalt, try:


There are admin jobs on there, but as others have said, it can be dificult.

I

Why should it be difficult? I mean isn't it just as easy or as difficult as getting a job in a company?

Plus I believe that working for a university is just nicer and less pressure than in in the corporate world.

R

It's difficult as it's competitive - lots of people want to work for universities, and many jobs are advertised internally. You may have to get a temp job in a university first, then work towards a permanent position. Good luck!

I

Thank you. It's just that I think it's much nicer to work there! Less pressure, better environment you're in.

T

Sorry if I am negative. with a masters, publications and research and teaching experience it took me 10 years to gain SOME access- not even permanent. Universities (say) they like to know people- they are smallish teams and fear what students will be taught etc etc. Very narrow minded if you ask me but-. May not be the same in every field I know . Many unis , many of the staff all knew eachother prior eg worked in same place or were ex-students.Some research there if anybody can get access to do it? Yes- there are very few jobs. maybe 100 applicants, many Unis like new lecturers to have a PHD (another issue).Write to many unis- offer to do occassional sessions/ guest speaking.

S

Quote From tim:
.. Universities (say) they like to know people- they are smallish teams and fear what students will be taught etc etc. Very narrow minded if you ask me but-. May not be the same in every field I know . Many unis , many of the staff all knew eachother prior eg worked in same place or were ex-students.Some research there if anybody can get access to do it? Yes- there are very few jobs. maybe 100 applicants, many Unis like new lecturers to have a PHD (another issue).Write to many unis- offer to do occassional sessions/ guest speaking.


hi Inhalt
I don't know about narrow-minded, but I agree with Tim that it is very very very difficult to get a university admin post. And it IS true that everybody seems to know everybody, previously worked together etc. And yes, something like 100+ applications per job vacancy, it is very competitive (for "outsiders") indeed. Nevertheless, if that's what you like to do, don't give up, keep looking, keep going!

when you find something, do share the good news here. It'll be very encouraging for others too.

love satchi

I

Thanks for your input but I must say again that I am not looking for a position in teaching but in their administration, i.e. finance department and so on. So NO teaching ;-)

S

hi Inhalt
actually my post applies to admin; not research. It is hard to get an admin job. But not impossible :-)
love satchi

I

Right, thank you then.

I assume that it is just the same with every good working environment - it is popular with people looking for a job.

I have experience in the corporate world, working for a big mulitnational. Just wasn't for me. I figure a university is much more suited for me. I just wonder what options I would have after working there for a couple of years if I wanted to make a change or move back to my home country.

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