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If you've moved beyond the early-career phase but aren't quite at the senior-leadership level, the mid-career moment can feel uniquely uncertain. You might be taking on more responsibility, considering a total pivot, managing people for the first time, or questioning what growth looks like in your role, and how to pursue it without burning out.
While our previous collection of articles focused on early-career professionals, this guide focuses on professionals who already have experience under their belt and are thinking about how to achieve advancement, leadership development, and long-term career sustainability. We've curated the following resources to help you navigate the complexities that often emerge in the middle of a higher education career.
Mastering the Art of Giving Feedback: A Guide for Higher Ed Professionals
Responsibilities grow in mid-career roles, and professionals will find themselves expected to guide others and contribute to team development. This article is especially helpful for those in positions where giving feedback is vital to team success. It explains that feedback is a two-way process and encourages the use of SMART goals to keep conversations focused on progress.
Step 1 for Negotiation Success: Identifying Your Needs
Negotiations often center on promotions, responsibilities, and long-term trajectory. This article encourages professionals to slow down and prepare by thinking through their priorities, limits, and interests -- as well as the other party's -- before entering important career conversations.
Practicing Slow Productivity in Higher Education
As workloads grow and expectations rise, mid-career professionals can feel the need to stay busy all the time. This article addresses that phase by questioning the culture of overload and promoting a more sustainable pace.
Navigating Authenticity: How To Be Honest With Your Manager Without Overstepping
For those who find themselves having more frequent or higher-stakes conversations with a supervisor, this article offers a relatable look at how to balance honesty with professionalism. Grounded in emotional intelligence, it shows the reality of maintaining a productive relationship with your manager while also seeking support from a broader professional network.
How To Leverage Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Allyship To Support Your Career Trajectory
This article is based on an ACE Women's Network webinar and clarifies the differences between mentors, sponsors, and allies while emphasizing the importance of raising your hand, being clear about your goals, and actively seeking out opportunities and support as your career progresses.
S5 Ep89: The Good Enough Framework: Rethinking Momentum and Managing Overwhelm
This episode introduces the "Good Enough" framework, with Dr. Yi Hao, director of education assessment at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Mallory Neal, director of industry and alumni engagement at Clemson University, discussing how redefining momentum can help higher education professionals move forward without defaulting to a constant grind.
If you're just getting started in the field, you can view our early-career toolkit, which focuses on job searching, interviewing, onboarding, and building a professional foundation in higher education. No matter your career stage, you can also browse more Advice & News articles and listen to the HigherEdJobs Podcast.
