Why temping in higher education could be the best thing for you

The “While-I’m Looking” Temp

Temporary jobs are ideal for individuals who are currently out of work and looking for a new opportunity. Temp work provides you with great experience and it’s a brilliant way to boost your CV, demonstrate your skills, and show you are adaptable to different departments, and even institutions. If you have been in a permanent role for a while with no training or development opportunities, then temping is a great way to do this. It can also help to fill in skill gaps on your CV, which can then lead to future work and career progression. Moreover, the flexibility of temporary work gives you time to search for a permanent role while working. Many Universities will offer additional dimensions to your role, thus increasing your experience and providing the opportunity for upskilling.

The “Temp-to-perm” temp

These temps are “career hopefuls” because rather than moving from a temp role to another temp role, you are hoping to land the highly desired “temp-to-perm” position. A temp-to-perm position means that there is an opportunity for the position to become permanent if you are the right fit for the job and organisation. This is becoming increasingly popular within universities, where they often need someone to fill a role urgently. This can reduce the cost of employee turnover and allow the organisation to see how you interact in their team. If you make a lasting impression on the manager, the University may consider you in any future job openings or even create a new position just for you.

The “Permanent” temp

While permanent and temporary appear to be antonyms, some people choose to make a career out of temping. From day-long assignments to special projects, to assignments that last a couple of years, temporary work provides individuals with diverse tasks and the opportunity to gain experience working in anything from small departments to global universities. Temping is a great way to get into Higher Education and if you don’t previously have experience it can open the door to a lot of great opportunities. Furthermore, universities are such large places that temps are often required in numerous departments all across the institution.

The “Flexible” Temp

Do you enjoy travelling or have other responsibilities that make it difficult to commit to a permanent position? Temporary work within Higher Education can be an excellent way to keep your skills relevant and up to date, while attending to alternate commitments outside of work. Temporary assignments in universities give you complete control over which positions you take up and when you want to work. Temporary workers are able to enjoy the flexibility of fitting work around their lives and not being tied into a position. It is common to only give a week’s notice in a temporary role with payment usually on a weekly basis.

If you are strongly considering a temporary role within Higher Education, TPP can help you. Our dedicated consultants have specialist knowledge of the education sector to help you find your ideal temporary or permanent role. Please contact us on 02071986090 or email your CV to education@tpp.co.uk to find out more.