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Perceptions of lawyers on career transition, transferable skills, and preparation for community college leadership

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Date Issued:
2014
Summary:
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine perspectives of attorneys who have transitioned into community college leadership. The study sought to answer questions concerning why attorneys decided to change careers, how they transition into new careers, and to what extent their legal backgrounds helped them in educational leadership. Interviews were conducted of 20 former attorneys across America on their perspectives about career transition and leadership competencies to determine whether they might serve as a viable source for leadership. Participant perceptions revealed a transition to make a difference, the transition process was smooth, and transition was made for a better work environment. Participants recommended for career changers coming from law to informally learn about community colleges, gain work experience therein, and to earn another degree. Participants reported high abilities in communications and professionalism, which are current AACC leadership competencies. Some participants reported low collaboration competencies. Participants also recommended positive reinforcement, teamwork, and problem-solving as additional AACC leadership competencies. Moreover, participants reported other transferable skills including legal expertise, business sense, and analytical skills. Recommendations from this study include a policy and practice of considering lawyers for educational leadership provided they demonstrate work and commitment toward a transition into community college leadership.
Title: Perceptions of lawyers on career transition, transferable skills, and preparation for community college leadership.
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Name(s): Nguyen, Thomas T., author
Floyd, Deborah L., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
College of Education
Department of Educational Leadership and Research Methodology
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 154 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine perspectives of attorneys who have transitioned into community college leadership. The study sought to answer questions concerning why attorneys decided to change careers, how they transition into new careers, and to what extent their legal backgrounds helped them in educational leadership. Interviews were conducted of 20 former attorneys across America on their perspectives about career transition and leadership competencies to determine whether they might serve as a viable source for leadership. Participant perceptions revealed a transition to make a difference, the transition process was smooth, and transition was made for a better work environment. Participants recommended for career changers coming from law to informally learn about community colleges, gain work experience therein, and to earn another degree. Participants reported high abilities in communications and professionalism, which are current AACC leadership competencies. Some participants reported low collaboration competencies. Participants also recommended positive reinforcement, teamwork, and problem-solving as additional AACC leadership competencies. Moreover, participants reported other transferable skills including legal expertise, business sense, and analytical skills. Recommendations from this study include a policy and practice of considering lawyers for educational leadership provided they demonstrate work and commitment toward a transition into community college leadership.
Identifier: FA00004144 (IID)
Degree granted: Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Career changes -- United States
Community college presidents
Executive ability
Law -- Vocational guidance -- United States
Leadership in education
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Links: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004144
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004144
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.