Wrestling With Career Changes Post-Superintendency
BY LAURIE A. KIMBREL/School Administrator, March 2018

Laurie Kimbrel (center), a former superintendent, with students on campus at the University of West Georgia, where she now teaches.

What happens when we make the conscious decision to leave the stress and politics of being a superintendent behind to take on a new challenge?

As I contemplated leaving the role that I once loved, I wondered what choices existed other than the one that I worked so long to attain. Would it be possible to use my passion, skills and talents to contribute just as deeply but in a new way?

The first inclination for some, and that includes me, is to pursue a similar work role elsewhere and to move immediately from one school district to another district. The persistent recruitment efforts of executive search consultants looking for highly skilled candidates often pushes us to remain on the path of school system administration.

For many, of course, this is the right decision as students benefit from talented and experienced leadership of superintendents. However, if we allow ourselves some time to reflect, it may become clear that another superintendency is not the only choice in education available to us.

Relationship Resources
The answers to these questions that arise during transition take time to fully develop, and “aha” moments arise sporadically. I often was overwhelmed as I considered leaving my superintendency in California after seven years. The moments of clarity emerged after I cleared my mind by exercising, volunteering or spending time with family. I know others find their answers through journaling, talking with friends or simply testing the job market with a few inquiries.

Perhaps the most important resources we have are the relationships we have developed as superintendents. When I moved to a new state so my spouse could take a promotion, I was not sure where to start my job search. So I contacted friends at national organizations in which I was active, including AASA, and asked for introductions to innovative educators near my new home. I made clear I was not asking for a job, but simply exploring my new environment. You might think of these as informational interviews.

The process of reflection during a career transition is time-consuming and frustrating when the next opportunity does not present itself immediately. When I left my job as a superintendent, I was quickly bored and took several interim positions as I looked for a long-term answer. I filled the gap with consulting work and a short-term charter school position to hold me over until I had enough information to make a longer-term commitment.

Ultimately, I found my new calling in post-secondary education. I realized my favorite aspects of being a superintendent were coaching and mentoring beginning school leaders as well as pursuing research about what truly makes a difference for our students. As a professor at a state university, I am free to pursue the aspects of the superintendent job that I loved without the politics, drama and constant stress.

As I talk to friends who have made similar transitions, I have discovered superintendents are welcomed warmly into the ranks of many companies and other organizations inside education and out.

Desirable Skills
Superintendents have a unique set of skills that include selling ambiguous ideas, developing relationships with a wide array of people, solving problems on quick notice, resolving conflicts and managing complex systems. These skills are much sought after in nonprofit organizations, consulting firms and the corporate arena.

During my career transition, I discovered the possibilities for fulfilling post-superintendent work are abundant and varied. Plus, it is reassuring to realize the passion and skills that made us successful as superintendents are valued by those outside the world of school boards, students and teachers.

As superintendents, we are masters of guiding others through change, yet we ourselves sometimes are unable to cope easily with change to our lives. Deciding to leave the superintendency is difficult, with much to consider. Ultimately, once we let go of the old to embrace a new path, a transition can lead to a new career that is personally gratifying and that makes a deep impact on the lives of others.


LAURIE KIMBREL, a former superintendent, is an assistant professor of educational leadership at University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Ga. Twitter: @lauriekimbrel


Transition Questions to Ask Yourself

Over the year between my departure from the superintendency and my new start in higher education, I asked myself the following:

» What aspects of my previous roles do I love and what aspects do I not want to replicate in a new role?

» What are the skills that make me unique and marketable to other organizations?

» What professional goals do I have that I haven’t had the time to pursue?

» What are my big questions about the process of education or about what issues am I most concerned?

» Who are the people or types of people that I want to work with or be around on a daily basis?

» What is my family situation? How much time do I want to spend away from home? What are my income and benefit requirements?

» Am I prepared to experience professional life at a different pace?

» How do I feel about working in the corporate world where there is a profit motive or for a nontraditional school or nonprofit organization?

— LAURIE KIMBREL