Job Description

Want to expand your mind by interacting with intellectuals? Want to learn about the newest scientific research before it hits CNN or provide much-needed behind-the-scenes support to help young people achieve their goals through education? A job as an academic secretary might be ideal for you.

The best-known position for an admin in academia is as secretary to a department, such as English or sociology. However, academic admins also provide support for libraries, laboratories, admissions and the offices of deans, provosts and other university administrators. For example, Caddell assists in the administration of a grant from the US Department of Education, as well as supporting graduate students and the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Nursing and Allied Health.

Median Salary

Average of $28,120

Education Requirements

There are no professional organizations specifically for academic admins, nor any specific certification process to qualify them. But admins should stay up to date on academic trends and history of institutions. A degree in Education, Sociology or English would be ideal to be a competitive job candidate.

Job Outlook

In 2006, the Bureau of Labor Statistics cites that there were 1,940,000 secretaries (except legal, medical, and executive) in the U.S. By 2016, this number is projected to grow by 22,000 jobs to 1,962,000 secretaries (except legal, medical, and executive.) Academia is well-known as a recession-proof field.