You’re starting a new job in higher education. How can you stay on top of industry trends?

I'll take a different approach, as I think maintaining credibility in higher education requires staying abreast of trends in the industry that you train students. This means not following higher education industry publications, but publications relevant to your field of study For me, I teach business, and I have read the Wall Street Journal for over 30 years. This provides background on multiple industries and enables seeing trends, and bringing examples to the classroom.

Subscribe to industry newsletters that will help you understand the broader context of the industry. My favourites are Alex Usher's One Thought to Start Your Day and Academica Top 10.

To stay updated on industry trends in higher education, I would suggest that you prioritize continuous learning by following reputable sources like MSM Reporter for the latest updates and news. Attend conferences, webinars, and online courses specific to the field to further your knowledge. Build a strong professional network through platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions with colleagues and experts. Regularly read educational publications, join relevant professional organizations, and participate in research collaborations within your institution. Additionally, seek feedback from students and colleagues and be open to experimenting with innovative teaching methods to adapt and lead in this dynamic sector.

There are three major industry publications that I read everyday: Chronicle of Higher Ed, Inside Higher Ed, and Academic Impressions. Attending the annual accreditor conference is also a great way to learn about what is happening in higher ed. Depending on what area you are working, there are a variety of professional organizations, each with their own newsletter and conferences. If you are faculty, most faculty stay focused on their academic discipline, which will not often address trends in higher education itself. The other organizations and news sources will balance that limited perspective.

While some obvious methods to stay abreast of HE trends include joining professional organizations, attending conferences, following publications like The Chronicle, etc, I feel the real "pulse" is found via informal channels. By far the most undervalued is listening to students and trying to understand them. They are way ahead, at the vanguard really, of what is coming. Listen to them. Value their feelings and insights. Respect their challenges. See students as partners in the mission. Real insights can come over a beverage(s) after a long conference day. Macro-level forces such as economics, politics, and the law steer the ship. Faculty councils on campus can be incubators for best practices. Reflect and be willing to experiment.

I've found many benefits to joining professional associations. First, it is a great way to network with other like minded educational practioners. It also provides a forum to share ideas that can be very useful. Finally, it provided me with a chance to demonstrate leadership in my field. Joing an association's board or governing structure is a great way to learn new knowledge and skills.

Professional associations provide spaces where people with similar interests and disciplines can feel heard and seen. They help individual members advocate for national laws and policies that advance the interests of their profession and build a culture where people are encouraged to share best practices with others in their profession. They offer an opportunity for people to give back to their profession through volunteer service, presentations, funding scholarships for the next generation of leaders in their craft. I owe so much of my professional development to various associations that have become my "professional homes", and I think exploring these spaces can be a important part of one's professional development plan.

To enhance your professional network effectively, begin by connecting with individuals from similar organizations on LinkedIn, focusing on those in the same field or department as yours across different higher education institutions. This approach fosters ongoing communication, allowing for the exchange of ideas and participation in meaningful discussions about current trends and potential changes in higher education. Such active engagement keeps you informed about industry developments and can be advantageous for future job opportunities or career advancement. This is a practical method for staying current and getting ahead in your field.

Utilize Twitter and LinkedIn to track influential thought leaders, institutions, and organizations in higher education. Engage in discussions and share insights by participating in relevant Twitter chats and joining LinkedIn groups. Stay updated on the evolution of open educational resources and be aware of the increasing prevalence of alternative credentialing and microcredentials. Stay informed about policy changes and higher education reform efforts at local, national, and international levels, recognizing their potential impact on institutional practices. Gain insights into how institutions integrate global perspectives into curricula and keep a close eye on trends in government funding and grant opportunities within higher education.

Find the top faculty in your field and review their CV. Reach out to them to get advice for getting started. Connect with top organizations and conferences. Great way to learn is presenting and attending conferences. Use your network to connect to their network. Establish mentors to help guide you and assist you. Do not be afraid to ask others for help and be a sponge. But be willing to give back to assist them. Create value for your program and yourself.

Much like higher ed course settings, conferences offer unique opportunities to learn from peers (which are often the most impactful means of learning). The wealth of insights offered by industry colleagues is unique in it's applicability; their expertise is focused enough to be practical but broad enough to push your boundaries. More than anything, hearing novel approaches to common problems is part of what makes attending these opportunities so rewarding... and as an HR institution, the on-site and remote options will be boundless.

I would take this one step further and see who from your college or university actively presents and look to collaborate with them. This allows you to begin immersing yourself in the process of identifying new trends while also seeing how others are applying these concepts at your institution.

I’m all about learning from others. Budgets are tight in today’s higher Ed landscape so making the most of conferences and webinars makes sure that you’re staying informed. It’s easy to be so busy you can’t get away. But this is definitely something you need to make time for!

One valuable practice would be attending international conferences and webinars, offering a broader view of challenges, objectives, and solutions within the global higher education domain. This exposure allows for insights into emerging trends, potential opportunities, and networking avenues that contribute significantly to professional growth. Moreover, engaging with international peers offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences and build a stronger network.

Conference and webinar help you develop ideas and also form collaborations/mentorship that are vital for personal development.

Many associations, and sector bodies put on webinars which are either free or low cost in comparison to conferences. So if you don't have the budget - look out for these.

There’s no end to learning and it’s always good to learn continuously. Specifically during the COVID, there have been flooding of get the extra learning by getting enrolled in the online courses. This enables us to get updated and at the same time enhancing our knowledge through the readily available professional courses. Online education has become the trendsetter now and one should get benefited from this.

Enrolling in online courses is an effective way to stay current with higher education trends. These courses offer flexibility and access to a wide range of subjects, allowing you to deepen your understanding of your field and explore new areas. They provide opportunities to learn from leading experts and institutions, ensuring you are exposed to the latest theories, practices, and research. Online courses also enable you to develop new skills and credentials, enhancing your professional profile and keeping you competitive in the evolving educational landscape.

Es más que importante entrenar y desarrollar competencias de aprendizaje autónomo. Complementemos nuestro perfil con cursos que aporten valor agregado a lo que hacemos. Por ejemplo, si somos docentes, podemos buscar cursos en línea sobre gestión de la educación, orientación educativa, psicología del desarrollo, atención de las necesidades educativas especiales, etc.

My approach, influenced by the relevance of AI, suggests that we are not only looking for traditional courses but also those that integrate advanced technologies and innovative methodologies. Several platforms offer courses that address fundamental topics such as curriculum design and leadership and those that explore AI's application in education. The flexibility and convenience of online courses are enhanced when combined with adaptive learning, a facet of AI that customises content to suit the user's learning needs and pace. This approach not only updates our skills but also prepares us to lead in adopting and applying emerging technologies in higher education.

Ask for feedback after interviews or networking. Seek mentors in higher ed who can guide your career journey. Embrace insights to grow and improve. Building these connections is the key to unlocking managerial success in higher education!

Mentoring is a great way of learning, sharing experiences, and insights. It allows both the mentor and mentee to learn from each other. When I’m speaking to members of staff from all levels across the sector I allow time to listen so I can leant and develop my perspective

Find mentors, and be a mentor. Conversations and perspective are invaluable. Mentors help to close the gap of “you don’t know what you don’t know.” Mentees give you fresh perspectives.

Siempre hay algo nuevo que aprender. Las personas que llevan más tiempo han probado ya algunas de las ideas que tienes en mente y te pueden ahorrar varios a?os de ensayo - error. Compartir ideas y proyectos con tus mentores te ayudará a crecer más rápido en el área que quieras destacar. Por ejemplo, si vas a utilizar una metodología de ense?anza innovadora, pregunta si alguien de tu entorno ya la ha puesto en práctica y cuáles han sido sus dificultades. Parece obvio, pero muchas veces no se hace y nos dedicamos a reinventar la rueda.

Consider exploring your professional development centers. They may provide a mentoring program that can be helpful. It is advisable to go through a central body that can pair you up with someone who is not in your area. Even though universities claim to encourage cross-collaboration, it is easy to become isolated. Therefore, it is essential to look into such programs. You can also check if your staff association or any other organization can connect you with a mentor.

It might seem counterintuitive, but exploring new opportunities should be tempered to start; it's easy to get wrapped up in the over-eagerness starting a new role but this can lead to over-commitment. Consider your key stakeholders (now and potential) and seek opportunities that align with your interests. There's so much available in higher ed, it's best to limit your choices to those that genuinely match your interests and potential for growth.

Many industries do employ academics as ad hoc consultants on projects. This is a wonderful opportunity for cross pollination of perspectives.

I would add to find some fun… it can be a grant e.g. Erasmus exchange allowing you to travel and meet new people or mentoring a students club where you can feel appreciated and do some fun stuff like competitions or games.

To effectively stay abreast of trends in higher education, it's crucial to actively pursue new opportunities. This involves embracing diverse roles and responsibilities that expand your understanding of the field. Engaging in collaborative projects, contributing to innovative initiatives, and participating in interdisciplinary research can provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of higher education. Such experiences not only enhance your skill set but also facilitate the development of a broad professional network, essential for keeping pace with industry changes and contributing meaningfully to your institution.

En plus de ce qui a été mentionné précédemment, je pense qu'il est également important de rester à l'aff?t des tendances de l'industrie en cherchant activement des formations et des cours supplémentaires. En effet, le monde évolue rapidement et il est essentiel de rester à jour avec les dernières avancées dans votre domaine. Rechercher des formations et des cours supplémentaires nous permettra d'acquérir de nouvelles compétences spécifiques à notre industrie. De plus, cela démontre également notre volonté de nous améliorer et de rester compétitif sur le marché du travail.

Everyday at your current job is an interview for your next one. People remember what you did and how you said it when you are part of a team. For others’, it will be about how they perceived you and how effective you were or you were not. You cannot control what other people think, but you can act with integrity and kindness.

Building a sustainable plan of continuous growth. Being informed on all the latest and best should go beyond the early stages of a new role, regardless of industry. Given the cultural values within higher ed, this type of mindset will only win over stakeholders across the academic and administrative divide, setting up years of success and progress beyond the next set of early days as you move around the organization.

The dynamism in this VUCA era, mandates HEI educators to upskill themselves every six months based on the requirements of the industry and the Technology Quotient (TQ) of their learners. It's not just about IQ and EQ (Emotional Quotient), but technological skills quotient of the present Gen Z students that a HEI educator should be concerned about while designing their course content. Infact, the technology savvy learners' attention can be grabbed and engaged to higher levels only with the adoption of technology in teaching learning process, like surveys, polls using AI apps like mentee meter etc, gamification tools etc. Present Gen learners feel engaged when they are involved in the learning process through experiential hands on learning.

Such an important question. Many new lecturers struggle with student feedback. Look at the feedback and you can see students struggling to understand how the subjects relates to their future job ( at least in business schools) What can business lecturers do? 1. Read business papers daily- online and offline. Make notes on relevant topics. 2. Share your notes with your class 3. Engage students in class discussion

Very much here on Linkedin, you have a wide range of opportunities: 1. Follow Deans, Presidents, and thought leaders and don't be afraid of sharing your thoughts in comments. 2. Join Industry Groups and follow/contribute to the conversations. Monitor the activity of a group for a while: some are genuinely interesting and valuable while others only serve to make noise without much discussion. 3. Identify newsletters that align with your area of interest and subscribe. 4. Follow media outlets and services catering to the higher education industry. They are more vocal about generic trends rather than news from a particular institution.