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In a recent "Ask the Expert" episode of the HigherEdJobs Podcast, I joined hosts Andy Hibel and Kelly Cherwin to respond to a thoughtful listener question: "How do I resign from my position without sharing why I'm leaving or where I'm going next?"
It's a situation professionals in higher education may face, and it can feel tricky to balance privacy with professionalism. In our conversation, I offered a few strategies that may help anyone preparing for this kind of transition.
Keep It Simple and Professional
In higher education, we often feel pressure to overshare. But when you resign, you actually don't owe every detail about your next step. Phrases such as "I've decided it's the right time for a change" or "I'll share more in the future, but for now I'm focused on wrapping up well here" allow you to uphold boundaries while still being gracious.
Protect Relationships
As Andy and Kelly mentioned, higher education is a very small world. Colleagues you work with today may show up again in future roles. Even if you choose not to disclose your next steps, you can still show appreciation for the people and the institution. As Andy put it, you don't even want to litter on that bridge. Leaving with gratitude and professionalism helps ensure you're maintaining -- not burning -- bridges.
Respect Notice Periods
Part of leaving well is providing appropriate notice. While two weeks was once the standard, we are increasingly seeing longer notice periods for faculty and senior staff -- sometimes closer to a month. Offering more time, when possible, shows care for your team and helps with succession planning. But it's also important to balance your own well-being. As Andy noted, staying too long after resigning can definitely make it harder to remain engaged and productive.
Honor Privacy on Both Sides
Just as employees may want to keep future plans private, institutions sometimes ask departing staff to delay their announcements. While this may be necessary for short-term planning, I encouraged employers to be transparent about the reasons. Asking someone to remain silent about a major life change can affect their mental health and leave a lasting negative impression.
At the end of the day, resigning is about more than a job change -- it's about managing relationships and transitions thoughtfully. If you find yourself in this position, remember: it's okay to keep details private as long as you leave with respect, professionalism, and care for the people around you.
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