At a recent conference I presented a talk describing the field of research administration as a proper career path and a legitimate profession to aspire to and perhaps thrive in. I posed the question, “how many of you just ended up getting a job in research administration not really meaning to, and here you are 5,10, 20+ years later?” Right on cue I got a lot of yeses, nodding of heads, raising of hands, affirmative laughs, and comments in agreement. When I asked, “how many of you were intentional about getting a job in research administration as a career path and as a plan or viable option for career post college degree?” I got crickets. The first question and response describe what I term the “accidental research administrator.” While this may be the case for many in the profession and has worked out very well as the responses in the talk validated, perhaps it is time for the field of research administration to be promoted as a viable career path from the onset and as a field where people with differing backgrounds, disciplines, and college majors can thrive.
Majors to Careers
The following may be simplified examples, but they are meant to show the intentionality an individual might have if they want to go into a certain profession. As one career example, if someone wanted to have a career as a certified public accountant (CPA), I can think of a clear path they might take. Perhaps their major in college would be accounting, finance, business administration, or some related field. Next, they would make sure that through their course work (and their state) they would seek to meet the requirements to sit for the CPA exam, perhaps through course work, years of practice, combination of both, etc.. That path is somewhat clear. As another example, if someone wanted to go to medical school to become a medical doctor (MD) there is a clear path, and it may be long but there is a path. They might major in biology, chemistry, declare a pre-med track, or some similar discipline or combination thereof. The degree is then followed by acceptance to medical school and completion of the medical degree, then residency, then specialization, board certification, etc. There is a path we can describe. What is the path if someone wants to be a research administrator?
Majors to Research Administration
As in the examples above, I would argue that research administration can have an intentional path. I would also argue there are a number of majors and degrees I can think of that are well suited for the field of research administration and all its diverse functions, areas of specialization, and activities. Off the top, I can see graduates from diverse majors thriving in research administration (as many do now). A major in biology or English, graphic design, computer science, cyber security, public policy, humanities, social science, education, can all thrive and build careers as research administrators. Of course, the usual majors of accounting, finance, business administration, project management, and so on also apply. Rethinking research administration as a career and field may mean that it is promoted as such to all students and majors. This may mean collaborating with career centers at our institutions so that research administration and employers are presented as a choice to prospective graduates. A career fair needs to include research administration as a viable and intentional career choice. This may also extend to paid internships in research administration before graduation. Yes, research active colleges, universities, labs and research centers need research administrators but so do state and federal agencies, community non-profits, philanthropic organizations, international organizations and more.
The Intentional Research Administrator
Going back to the career path example, an English major with great writing and communication skills gets exposed, perhaps at a career fair, to the possibility of a job as a grant writer in a research office at a local university. The young graduate would get to learn about the field of research administration while doing something they like (writing) and helping the emerging university secure external funding through well written, logical, and easy to understand proposals. Through continuing education, professional development, the passage of time, and on-the-job learning the English major is now an expert or at least has deep knowledge on the different agencies, funders, call for proposals, and review criteria that may lead to successful reviews and funding. In addition, enough time has passed and enough knowledge has been gained that now the English major can meet the criteria to sit for the certified research administrator (CRA) exam. With the certification, further experience in the field and the passage of time, the English major then goes on to become the director of sponsored programs at the local university. The above example has happened, it’s just that perhaps now it occurs “accidentally” rather than as a career path from the beginning (at the career fair).
The truth is both private and professional lives have twists and turns that can be unpredictable. But someone who wants to build a career as a CPA can see a path and possibilities from the beginning. Someone who wants to be a board-certified cardiologist can see a path and possibilities from the beginning. What paths and possibilities can a research administrator see from the beginning? I will ask this question at my next presentation but may get another very interesting story about how “I ended up getting this research administration job by accident and here I am 20 years later! But what a ride,” they will say!