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More professionals working in higher education, especially in professional services roles, are starting to question their next move. This is not about lack of loyalty or passion. Many have built meaningful careers in universities and care deeply about education. But the reality is that the sector is changing, and that is changing how these roles feel day to day.
Universities are under real pressure. Student numbers are shifting, funding is tighter, and competition is growing. In response, institutions are restructuring, merging, or reducing costs. For staff, that often means fewer people doing more work. Roles are being combined, responsibilities are expanding, and what used to feel stable is starting to feel uncertain.
At the same time, there is a growing frustration around pace. Workloads are increasing, but progress is not. Decisions can take time, projects move slowly, and layers of approval make it hard to push ideas forward. For professionals who want to build, improve, and move quickly, this creates a disconnect. You are busy, but not always moving.
Technology is another pressure point. Many universities are still working with legacy systems that are difficult to change. Even when teams know what needs improving, internal processes and budgets slow things down. For those working in IT, digital, or learning technology roles, this can feel limiting. You are aware of what is possible, but cannot always implement it.
Then there is progression and pay. Career paths in higher ed can be quite structured, with fixed salary bands and slower progression. Compared to roles in tech or commercial environments, the pay gap can be noticeable, especially for professionals with transferable skills. Over time, that starts to matter more.
This is why many are starting to look at alternatives, and one of the most natural moves is into edtech.
Edtech companies build products and services for education institutions. That means they need people who understand how universities actually work. If you have experience in admissions, student services, IT, learning technology, or partnerships, you already understand the customer. That puts you in a strong position.
The appeal of edtech is not just relevance. It is the environment. The pace is faster, decisions happen quicker, and there is usually more room to test ideas and see results. Career growth can be quicker too, and salaries are often higher, particularly in commercial, product, or growth roles. You are still connected to education, but you are working in a setting that allows you to move faster and have a more visible impact.
That said, it is not a perfect swap. Universities tend to offer more stability, clearer structures, and strong benefits like pensions and leave. Corporate roles can feel less predictable and more performance driven. The pace can also take some getting used to. Faster environments come with different pressures.
The key shift is mindset. Moving out of higher ed is not about leaving the sector behind. For many, it is about staying connected to education while working in a way that feels more aligned with how they want to grow, contribute, and build.
Here’s a clear breakdown you can use in your blog or content. Most people think “edtech” is just learning platforms, but the ecosystem around universities is much broader:
Learning management systems (LMS)
These are the backbone of teaching delivery. They host courses, materials, and assessments, and manage the student learning journey.
Examples include Canvas LMS and Blackboard.
Student information systems (SIS)
These manage student data from enrolment to graduation. Think records, timetables, grades, and compliance.
Examples include Ellucian and Tribal Group.
Admissions and enrolment platforms
Tools that help universities attract, manage, and convert applicants. This is where a lot of commercial thinking is entering higher ed.
Examples include Slate by Technolutions and UCAS.
Customer relationship management (CRM) tools for higher ed
Used to manage communication with prospective and current students, often across the full lifecycle.
Examples include Salesforce Education Cloud.
Online learning and course platforms
These support online degrees, short courses, and lifelong learning. Huge growth area post 2020.
Examples include FutureLearn and Coursera.
Learning experience platforms (LXP)
More personalised than LMS. Focus on user driven learning, recommendations, and engagement.
Examples include Degreed.
Assessment and proctoring tools
Used for exams, coursework, and academic integrity.
Examples include Turnitin and ProctorU.
Student engagement and retention platforms
Help universities track student behaviour, flag risk, and improve retention.
Examples include Civitas Learning.
Timetabling and resource management systems
Used to manage rooms, schedules, and teaching resources.
Examples include Scientia.
Alumni and fundraising platforms
Support advancement teams with donor management and alumni engagement.
Examples include Blackbaud.
Career services and employability platforms
Help students transition into jobs and connect with employers.
Examples include Handshake.
Data analytics and business intelligence tools
Used by leadership teams to make decisions on recruitment, performance, and operations.
Examples include Tableau used within higher ed contexts.
Almost every function inside a university has a matching edtech solution.
That is why professionals from higher ed are so valuable to these companies. You are not starting from scratch. You already understand the systems, the problems, and the users.
If you want, I can map specific university roles to these edtech categories so it becomes even more actionable.
One of the biggest misconceptions I see from professionals in higher education is this idea that moving into edtech means starting again. It does not. In reality, most roles inside a university already have a direct equivalent in edtech. The challenge is not your experience. It is how you position it.
Think about admissions and student recruitment. If you have worked in this space, you already understand the full funnel. You know how to attract, engage, and convert students. That is exactly what sales and partnerships teams in edtech are trying to do, just with institutions instead of applicants. The skills are the same. The language is different. Instead of talking about applications and enrolment, you are talking about pipeline and conversion.
A similar pattern shows up in student services. If your role has been focused on supporting students, solving issues, and improving their experience, you are already doing what customer success teams do in edtech. You are managing relationships, reducing churn, and making sure users get value. The difference is that your “students” become “clients,” but the core work does not change.
For those in learning technology or digital learning roles, the move can feel even more direct. You have likely worked closely with platforms, tools, and academic teams to improve how learning is delivered. In edtech, that experience is highly valued in product, implementation, and solutions roles. You understand how these tools are actually used, which is something many purely technical teams lack.
IT and systems professionals are in a similar position. Universities are complex environments with multiple systems that need to work together. That experience translates well into technical roles in edtech, especially those focused on integrations, onboarding, or solutions engineering. You are not just technical. You understand how systems operate in a real world setting.
Even roles that seem more operational, like registry, timetabling, or academic administration, have clear pathways. These roles require coordination, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complexity. In edtech, that becomes operations, programme management, or implementation work. You are already used to juggling moving parts and stakeholders.
Careers and employability teams also have a strong edge. You sit between education and industry, which is exactly where many edtech companies operate. That experience can translate into partnerships, employer engagement, or business development roles. You understand both sides, which is rare.
Marketing and communications professionals from universities often underestimate how transferable their skills are. If you have worked on student recruitment campaigns or brand positioning, you already know how to reach and influence your audience. In edtech, that becomes growth marketing, demand generation, or content strategy.
Across all of these roles, the biggest shift is not what you have done. It is how you talk about it. In higher ed, work is often described in terms of processes and responsibilities. In edtech, it is framed around outcomes. Supporting students becomes improving retention. Managing enquiries becomes increasing conversion. Running systems becomes improving efficiency. Same work, different framing.
That is where most people get stuck. Not because they lack experience, but because they are not translating it in a way that resonates with hiring managers in edtech.
One of the biggest challenges is not lack of opportunity. It is lack of visibility.
If you have spent years working in a university, your reference point is the university. You understand the roles, the structure, and the progression within that environment. But outside of it, the landscape is less familiar. Job titles are different. Teams are structured differently. The same work is described in a completely different way.
That makes it hard to connect the dots.
You might be doing work that is highly relevant to roles in edtech or other sectors, but because the language is different, it does not feel like a natural fit. So instead of exploring those options, many people stay within what they know.
There is also no single, clear path out. Unlike some professions where transitions are well mapped, moving from higher ed into industry is not always obvious. Two people with very similar roles in a university could move into completely different careers depending on how they position themselves.
That is where the confusion comes in.
There is a lot of general advice available online, but it is often too broad to be useful. It tells you what roles exist, but not which ones are right for you. And that is the key difference. Every professional brings a unique mix of experience, tools, and strengths. What works for one person will not necessarily work for another.
That is why self awareness and positioning matter so much.
You need to understand:
Once you have that clarity, the options become much more visible.
Some people figure this out on their own through research, conversations, and trial and error. But it can take time. And often, it involves a lot of guesswork.
Working with someone who understands both sides, higher ed and the sectors you are moving into, can shortcut that process. They can help you see patterns you might miss, challenge assumptions, and open up paths you may not have considered.
It is not about being told what to do. It is about being shown what is possible and how your experience fits into it.
Do I need to retrain to move into edtech?
In most cases, no. You may need to learn the commercial language or get familiar with certain tools, but your core experience is already relevant. The bigger shift is positioning, not starting from scratch.
What is the easiest role to move into from higher ed?
Customer success and operations are often the most accessible because they closely mirror student facing and administrative roles. Sales and partnerships can also be a strong fit, especially for those from admissions or recruitment backgrounds.
I have never worked in sales. Can I still move into a commercial role?
Yes, but you need to show transferable skills. Admissions, outreach, and stakeholder engagement all involve influencing decisions. You just need to frame that in terms of conversion, targets, and outcomes.
Will I need to take a step back in seniority?
Not always. It depends on how well you position your experience and how aligned your background is with the role. Some people move laterally, others take a short term step back for longer term growth.
How do I show impact if my role was not commercial?
Focus on measurable outcomes. Think about improvements you made, processes you streamlined, or results you influenced. Even if it is not revenue, it can still be framed as impact.
What is the biggest mistake people make when trying to move into edtech?
Treating their experience as if it is not relevant. Most people undersell what they have done instead of translating it properly.
Do I need commercial experience to move into edtech?
Not always. What matters more is how you position your experience. If you can show impact, problem solving, and understanding of users, you are already relevant. Commercial skills can be learned, but sector insight is harder to teach.
Which roles in edtech are the best fit for higher ed professionals?
Common paths include customer success, product, partnerships, operations, and sales. The right fit depends on your background. For example, admissions experience can translate well into sales or partnerships, while learning technology roles often move into product or implementation.
Will I lose job security if I leave a university role?
It can feel different. Universities often offer more structured stability. Corporate roles can be more tied to performance and company growth. That said, not all edtech companies are high risk. It is important to look at stage, funding, and business model.
Is the pay really better in edtech?
In many cases, yes. Especially for roles tied to revenue, growth, or product. Salary growth can also be faster compared to fixed band structures in higher ed.
How do I position my CV for an edtech role?
Focus on outcomes, not tasks. Show how your work impacted students, teams, or systems. Translate your experience into business value. For example, improving a process becomes increasing efficiency or reducing time.
What is the biggest adjustment when moving to edtech?
Pace and ownership. You are often expected to make decisions faster and take more responsibility for outcomes. For many, that is a positive shift, but it can take time to adjust.
