Career Growth & Leadership
Leveraging Temporary Roles for Professional Advancement: How Temporary Assignments Can Boost Your Career
Research administration thrives on adaptability and continuous learning. Temporary roles at other institutions offer a unique path to growth—broadening skills, expanding networks, and opening doors to future leadership. Step outside your routine and discover what’s possible.
Research administration is a dynamic field, constantly evolving with regulatory updates and shifting government priorities. This fluctuating environment requires research administrators to not only be adaptable but also be willing to embark on a journey of continuous learning. Formal training, certifications, and degrees are valuable. However, there is another way to gain insight and experience—including potential future employers: taking on temporary roles at institutions other than your current one. Our offices oftentimes need additional help—whether to cover short-staffing or manage increased workloads. These positions are commonly advertised through a variety of channels, including university career websites, professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn, and the Research Administration Discussion List (RESADM-L). While temporary employees typically have the knowledge and experience necessary to perform the new assignment, these roles can offer an amazing opportunity to learn new ways of performing familiar tasks. Each institution has its own tailored processes and procedures. While some may not be fully transferable, working temporarily at a larger university exposed one of this article’s authors to a more automated grant submission workflow. She was able to bring back ideas to streamline parts of her institution’s manual process, which led to time savings and fewer errors during proposal season. Gaining familiarity with new forms, processes, systems, or even sponsors you have not worked with before will enhance your research administration knowledge.
Often our portfolios as researcher administrators can limit our exposure to a handful of sponsors or daily tasks. Despite increased specialization, it may also result in professional boredom and stagnation due to a lack of new challenges. A temporary role may provide a wider variety of daily tasks and a more expansive role in the team. Engaging with a larger university can help maintain and expand your skills. Learning about the challenges and workloads faced by institutions with a large-scale research enterprise—especially if you have only worked at smaller institutions, or vice versa—will certainly provide a different point of view. You may gain insights to help you improve your performance or enhance processes at your full-time institution.
Another benefit of temporary work is networking. Such engagements can provide the opportunity to meet new people, experience their organizational culture, and build relationships that may result in long-term friendships or professional collaborations. Reflecting on her recent experience, one of the authors shares an unexpected highlight of her temporary role: the inspiration she found in her new colleagues. Their enthusiasm, commitment to research integrity, and pride in their work reminded her of the reasons she entered the profession. Being part of a team that approached challenges with collaboration and curiosity reignited her own drive. She felt driven not only to meet her daily responsibilities but also to mentor others, share ideas, and think more strategically about how research administration supports scientific advancement. It felt like a professional reset—an opportunity to reconnect with the deeper purpose of her work and return to her home institution with renewed passion. These new experiences, added to your existing knowledge, might be just what you need to set yourself on the path for career growth. If you're considering a career move, these experiences can help you assess whether an institution aligns with your goals and values. If you are aiming for advancement, the broader perspective can prepare you for a leadership role.
In a field that demands agility, perspective, and lifelong learning, temporary work can offer more than just short-term support—it can be a strategic move for professional development. Whether you're exploring new challenges, expanding your network, or positioning yourself for the next phase of your career, stepping outside your regular role can open doors. Let’s explore new ways to stay current in our field, embrace change and grow with purpose.
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