The Career Sip: Your Weekly Dose of Higher Ed Haunt!

Welcome back to your spooktacular go-to for the latest in higher education career development! This week’s Career Sip brews up the eeriest, most thrilling updates, from hair-raising strategies to ghoulishly good career development tips. So grab your favorite potion (or coffee) and dive into an edition that'll haunt you with insights, ideas, and a Halloween-inspired fun fact you won't want to miss! ??

Boo-kmark this one—it’s packed with treats!

Latest News in Higher Ed

Signs of Hope for Higher Education’s Future

To spice up your Halloweek, we’re kicking off today’s newsletter with some “good news” treats from the world of higher ed! After reading the latest article by John Warner, we couldn’t wait to share his refreshing insights on where higher education may be headed. Warner, known for his usual higher ed critiques, spotlights three promising trends that could signal a positive shift for institutions, students, and the future of education.

One piece of positive news comes from the College Board, which reports that, after adjusting for student aid and inflation, tuition costs at public institutions have actually become more affordable this year. Although college costs remain high compared to previous decades, this gradual decline marks a step toward addressing the affordability challenge that continues to affect students nationwide.

Additionally, a thought-provoking essay by Kevin Carey and Sophie Nguyen suggests that public trust in higher education may not be as low as often assumed. They argue that while confidence in many public institutions has waned, higher ed remains in relatively favorable standing. Americans largely believe that colleges do a good job but need reform, especially in areas such as cost. Interestingly, 36% of Americans report high confidence in higher education, ranking it above sectors like healthcare and public schools.

However, not all trends are positive: Warner highlights recent data showing a 5% decline in first-year student enrollment across U.S. colleges, with public four-year institutions seeing an 8.5% decrease. This decline may be partially attributed to challenges with the new FAFSA rollout, which reportedly deterred some prospective students. Conversely, community colleges saw enrollment gains, largely driven by dual-enrollment students unaffected by FAFSA changes.

Warner’s takeaway? Higher ed must re-focus on its core mission—providing quality, accessible education. As institutions address affordability, clarity of mission, and public trust, Warner believes they can navigate the complex challenges ahead and secure a sustainable future. For career services and higher ed professionals, this signals the importance of advocating for these core values and supporting policies and practices that prioritize student success and institutional accessibility.

If you want to read the full opinion article by John Warner, you can do it here .?

What are we reading this week?

Book Recommendations

As we dig into the final days of October, our books this week have a little more “thrill” than usual—exploring the haunting implications of AI, surveillance, and technology on the future of education. If you’re in the mood for some thought-provoking “spooky season” reads, these books bring more chills than a ghost story in a dark library.

First up is AI Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can Do, What It Can’t, and How to Tell the Difference by Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor. This book delves into the scary side of AI and predictive analytics, showing how, in many cases, algorithms make predictions that can be misleading or outright wrong. Packed with real-world examples, it offers a critical look at the hype around AI and highlights the importance of knowing where tech solutions really deliver—and where they fall short. For career advisors and educators, it’s a wake-up call to dig deeper before adopting AI-driven solutions in student support.

Our second pick is Smart University: Student Surveillance in the Digital Age by Lindsay Weinberg, which casts an eye on the pervasive reach of tech-driven “surveillance” in education. From tracking classroom behavior to analyzing student data for performance predictions, Weinberg’s exploration exposes how some modern tech strategies could undermine student autonomy and privacy. This read is perfect for anyone interested in the ethical questions around data use in higher ed and serves as a timely reminder to advocate for student-centered policies as technology continues to evolve.

These books not only fit the Halloween mood but also offer crucial insights for advisors and administrators eager to understand—and responsibly manage—the role of technology in today’s educational landscape. Happy Halloween reading! ??

Tech

The Rise of Embodied AI in Higher Education

Today we’re peeking into the eerie and exciting realm of embodied AI, or EAI—robots equipped with AI capabilities that allow them to interact with their environments like never before. Imagine a future where humanoid robots stroll through campuses, assisting in research, supporting students at the library, and maybe even “haunting” the halls as teaching aides. We’re on the brink of seeing these autonomous, task-oriented robots enter the classroom and workplace, according to Ray Schroeder’s latest insights. And while it sounds like science fiction, companies like Tesla, OpenAI, and Meta are already working on these prototypes, with Elon Musk’s “Optimus” leading the charge.

Embodied AI, as experts like Shaoshan Liu and Shuang Wu explain, goes beyond traditional algorithms. These robots learn from their environment and adapt their behaviors, guided by AI systems with sensory data like vision, touch, and audio. From personalized student interactions to around-the-clock research support, EAI could transform higher education’s daily operations. The technology promises not just robotic efficiency but true adaptability—something that would make these “living assistants” highly valuable in classrooms, labs, and even as “study buddies” in libraries.

As we imagine a future with EAI-enabled classrooms, think about the potential. Could a humanoid assistant one day serve as a multilingual reference librarian, instantly identifying and pulling resources for students? Or picture an EAI teaching assistant, tirelessly working alongside professors to conduct experiments or support remote learners. The potential applications are vast, yet the rapid evolution of this technology also raises questions about how universities will implement and manage EAI effectively. For institutions ready to embrace EAI, now may be the time to consider how to position these advances in student recruitment and academic services.

So, this Halloween season, the robots may not come with ghostly moans, but they are set to bring new dynamics to our campuses. Keep an eye on this rapidly emerging field—it’s not as far away as it may seem.

Latest in Career Development

How to’s on Salary Negotiation

Salary discussions can be one of the trickiest parts of job interviews, especially in higher education, where expectations and benefits can vary greatly. In a recent HigherEdJobs podcast episode, HR experts Kathleen Hermacinski and Matt Trainum joined hosts Kelly Cherwin and Andy Hibel to tackle listener questions on how to approach salary negotiations with confidence and strategy. Here's a breakdown of their insights, but for the full conversation, be sure to check out the podcast!

1. Know Your Market Value Calculating your worth is a foundational step before starting any salary negotiation. Hermacinski recommends using resources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov ) and CUPA-HR to get salary data specific to your role, academic discipline, and geographical location. Salaries in higher ed may differ significantly based on location, with some regions offering a 15% range difference. Analyzing this data and considering non-monetary benefits (like generous time-off policies or tuition waivers) will give you a comprehensive view of your market value.

2. Timing and Approach to Salary Discussions Trainum advises that candidates should clarify salary expectations before the first interview, ideally over email to avoid using valuable interview time discussing compensation. With a growing number of states now mandating salary transparency in job postings, such as New York, California, and Illinois, you may find salary ranges in advance. For those applying in other regions, a quick email to HR before your first formal conversation can help ensure both parties are aligned.

3. Consider the Whole Package Hermacinski and Trainum also emphasize that salary isn’t everything; benefits like health savings accounts, tuition exchanges, or additional paid time off can add substantial value. Some institutions, for example, may offer tuition waivers through the Council of Independent Colleges, equating to tens of thousands in added value for you or your family. For career advisors, this is a key point to share with students—reminding them to consider non-monetary benefits, especially when evaluating public versus private sector roles.

4. Leveraging Your Network Finally, the experts underscore the importance of using your professional network. Whether it’s reaching out to a contact who’s familiar with the hiring institution or leveraging professional associations, these connections can provide insights into compensation and role expectations. Trainum notes that asking about salary in your network can help you go into negotiations fully informed, giving you a leg up in discussions.

If you like this topic, we also recommend you check our latest Ebook: Visa Sponsorship and Salary Negotiation Tactics for Students. You can download the full Ebook here :)?

Fun

Best Career Development Meme

Opportunities

Job Opening in Higher Education

Looking to join a new team and leave your mark? Here are four “fang-tastic” opportunities that may be just the treat you’ve been looking for in higher education. Whether you’re ready to sink your teeth into a new leadership role or support students in finding their career paths, these openings span key departments in some of the world’s top universities. Take a look—if you dare!

1. Associate Director and Talent Partner, IE University - Madrid, Spain Bring your expertise to the heart of student and career success at IE University. As the Associate Director and Talent Partner, you’ll work closely with academic teams to connect talented students with meaningful career opportunities. Perfect for those who enjoy guiding students on their professional journey—especially if you're ready to elevate talent initiatives to the next level. Apply here
2. Assistant Director, Careers in Computer Science, University of Chicago - Chicago, IL, USA For those passionate about the tech industry, this role as Assistant Director for Careers in Computer Science will allow you to support computer science students on their path to industry excellence. If you’re tech-savvy and love helping students navigate the complexities of the job market, this opportunity is your match. Apply here
3. Associate Director of Graduate Careers, Georgetown University - Washington, DC, USA Join the team at Georgetown University as the Associate Director of Graduate Careers and play a critical role in shaping the futures of graduate students. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys strategizing career services and empowering students to reach their potential across diverse industries. Apply here
4. Internship, ESADE Careers - Barcelona, Spain If you’re looking to gain hands-on experience in higher ed career services, ESADE’s Careers Internship is a fantastic opportunity to learn from a leading team. This role offers a front-row seat to supporting students in their career journeys—a great way to hone your skills in a dynamic setting. Apply here

Each of these roles offers unique opportunities to help shape student success stories. So, if you’re ready to make an impact, explore these “boo-tiful” opportunities and set your career on a new path this Halloween season!

That's a wrap for this week’s haunted edition of The Career Sip!

We hope today’s brew of insights and updates kept your career strategies bubbling like a cauldron. Be sure to keep conjuring up those spooky-good development ideas, and we'll be back next week with another dose of frighteningly fresh news and advice from the world of higher ed.

Happy Halloween and stay bewitchingly caffeinated, friends! ???