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[Looking]

I currently work in advertising (with two and a half years of job experience), but I am looking to get a job in undergraduate admissions. I find that such jobs are not easy to come by if you don't have a master's degree.  Does anyone have any advice on any out-of-the-box ways I can get into admissions? I have been networking with the few connections I have, but would love any advice from those of you have been doing this for awhile. Thanks!

[Good Luck]

In my humble opinion, start small. Many small regional public and private colleges have admissions officers who are primarily recruiters, with the admissions standards set by  the faculty and/or chief academic officers, etc. (often dictated to them by regulators or others further up the food chain). In those instances, the admissions directors have less authority and may have no degree beyond a bachelors degree -- just entrenched experience and good contacts/people skills, especially with the local high-school principals and headmasters from whom they are recruiting.

Look at small four-years, two-years, and techs as a good starting point. The pay is lower, but if you raise enrollment, etc., you could parlay your way into something more within a few years. Also, read up on the admissions standards/regulations set by the state higher-education commission and regional accrediting associations (I think there are only five in U.S. For example, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools handles the U.S. Southeastern states.)

Finally, a good source for learning more might be be trade associations such as the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), which has a list of listserves you might wish to join. People often post job openings there, and the participants are very candid. One last piece of advice: For many of these small colleges, the admissions and registration offices are highly intertwined, so get versed in both areas. Good luck!