What have mentors—a teacher, a parent, a friend, a coach, etc.—in your life taught you? Write down 3 things you've learned, then think about how you can pass that on to someone younger than you.

Advice

Become a mentor. 

Visit the U.S. Department of Education's website to learn more about its role in our government and the duties of the Secretary of Education. What are some policy issues that are important to you? 

Career

Learn what a Secretary of Education does!

Watch this playlist, specially curated by TED staff, of inspiring teachers and how they have all made a difference in students' lives. Which talk did you find most inspiring? Why? 

Watch TED Talks from inspiring teachers. 

Education Administrators, Postsecondary

Plan, direct, or coordinate student instruction, administration, and services, as well as other research and educational activities, at postsecondary institutions, including universities, colleges, and junior and community colleges.

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Second Interest High-Point

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

First Interest High-Point

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Third Interest High-Point

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Design or use assessments to monitor student learning outcomes.

Recruit, hire, train, and terminate departmental personnel.

Direct, coordinate, and evaluate the activities of personnel, including support staff engaged in administering academic institutions, departments, or alumni organizations.

Advise students on issues such as course selection, progress toward graduation, and career decisions.

Plan, administer, and control budgets, maintain financial records, and produce financial reports.

Formulate strategic plans for the institution.

Establish operational policies and procedures and make any necessary modifications, based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information.

Provide assistance to faculty and staff in duties such as teaching classes, conducting orientation programs, issuing transcripts, and scheduling events.

Represent institutions at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes.

Prepare reports on academic or institutional data.

Promote the university by participating in community, state, and national events or meetings, and by developing partnerships with industry and secondary education institutions.

Participate in faculty and college committee activities.

Direct activities of administrative departments, such as admissions, registration, and career services.

Appoint individuals to faculty positions, and evaluate their performance.

Develop curricula, and recommend curricula revisions and additions.

Consult with government regulatory and licensing agencies to ensure the institution's conformance with applicable standards.

Participate in student recruitment, selection, and admission, making admissions recommendations when required to do so.

Determine course schedules, and coordinate teaching assignments and room assignments to ensure optimum use of buildings and equipment.

Review student misconduct reports requiring disciplinary action, and counsel students regarding such reports.

Review registration statistics, and consult with faculty officials to develop registration policies.

Confer with other academic staff to explain and formulate admission requirements and course credit policies.

Direct scholarship, fellowship, and loan programs, performing activities such as selecting recipients and distributing aid.

Direct and participate in institutional fundraising activities, and encourage alumni participation in such activities.

Coordinate the production and dissemination of university publications, such as course catalogs and class schedules.

Write grants to procure external funding, and supervise grant-funded projects.

Plan and promote sporting events and social, cultural, and recreational activities.

Audit the financial status of student organizations and facility accounts.

Oversee facilities management for the university, including construction, repair, and maintenance projects.

Arne Duncan

US Secretary of Education

Videos

Arne Duncan

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Education

Government

Teaching / Mentoring

Interviewed By

Anonymous Student

Arne Duncan

US Secretary of Education

Videos

Arne Duncan

Milestones

Education

Career

Career Roadmap

My work combines:

My work combines:

Education

Government

Teaching / Mentoring

Interviewed By

Anonymous Student

Related Leaders