Educational leadership and policy studies or Higher education? Which has a better career path?

[glorybridge]

I want to work for a school but I'm not sure whether I should work for a high school or college?

Which has the better career development in long-term?

I assume that at college you just play a small role while at k12 you can do more, but college is bigger isn't it?

Wiered thing is chancellor at college is always a JD but not a EdD.

 

[Dracos]

5 hours ago, glorybridge said:

I want to work for a school but I'm not sure whether I should work for a high school or college?

Which has the better career development in long-term?

I assume that at college you just play a small role while at k12 you can do more, but college is bigger isn't it?

Wiered thing is chancellor at college is always a JD but not a EdD.

 

This is very difficult to answer because the roles at different institutions at the K12 level, and Higher Education level vary. One administrative position in one state in a K12 school might differ in many responsibilities, and the culture of the environments can differently greatly. I think that both K12, and Higher Education fields offer a vast amount of professional and career development. 

As a teacher, my district offers great career development to educators and school leaders. There seems to be mobility for teachers wanting to become assistant principals, principals, etc. As an undergraduate student, I've gotten insight into career development in residence life, admissions, and advising. At the university I attended, there was a huge emphasis for professionals working in student affairs to further develop themselves. A large emphasis on professional development, reflection, and some apparent opportunities for career development at the institution was prevalent. One of my mentors was an assistant director of admissions, and was able to become the director of admissions at a small college after working in her role for 3 years. 

Another reason why a person can't give you a cookie cut answer is because the sizes and cultures of Higher Educational institutions vary as well. My two cents is that working in the field of education offers professional and career development. Starting salaries in K12, and in Higher Education aren't very high, so that's something you need to understand and keep in mind. For example, in my location a starting teacher makes ($39k), a starting assistant principal makes about ($50k/yr) in the K12 setting, a starting academic advisor or admissions counselor at a university might make ($35k-$42k) in my state. 

[MAC2809]

They are two totally different areas. From what I have seen, most chancellors have a Ph.D as opposed to a JD or Ed.D. There is more regulation in the K-12 system because you are dealing with mostly minors as opposed to adults. It also depends where you want to begin- teaching/faculty or staff side? Sadly, many states are now right to work and charter schools are expanding at the K12 level. At the same time, colleges and universities are hiring a lot of adjunct professors to save money. I have seen adjunct professors wait over a decade before coming tenure track (if you only have a masters, the wait for a good full time teaching job may be never.)  

However, tenure professors have a lot of anonymity and usually highly paid. If you do decide to go that route, I highly suggest getting a Ph.D.