Dispatches from an Internet PioneerDeep Dive: Hiring for the Long Game
Hiring IT staff in higher education is harder than ever, but not for the reasons most people think. In this episode, we unpack why chasing mid-career “plug-and-play” hires is a trap that drains budgets, creates salary compression, and fuels churn—and why the only sustainable strategy is to hire at the entry level, promote from within, and build real pipelines of talent. We walk through five rules for making better hires, explore the five core competencies that matter more than any technical skill, and share practical interview questions and development practices that help leaders cultivate teams that thrive, grow, and stay.
About the podcast
Technology is reshaping higher education, leadership, and the economy—but the biggest challenges aren’t just technical, they’re cultural and structural. Created by Timothy Chester, this podcast explores the real impact of AI, automation, and digital transformation on universities, work, and society. With a sociologist’s lens and decades in higher ed IT leadership, he cuts through the hype to uncover what truly matters.
Share this episode
Share with friends and family