Page 18 - AASBO EDGE Back to School 2025
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CAREER GROWTH
BY RACHEL AYERS
3 Key Steps If You Switch Jobs or Move to
Another District
Rachel Ayers
Last year, I made the leap from Buyer to Purchasing questionable purchases simply out of fear of
Manager at a new district. Moving into a new rocking the boat.
position can always be a bit nerve-wracking, and
moving into a management position, especially You need to establish open relationships with
so. Many of us struggle with imposter syndrome, your colleagues, your end-users, and your bosses.
so stepping out of your Buyer role and moving And you need to make it known that questions
into an administrator role can seem terrifying are net positives in your department. Encourage
enough that many prefer to stay put. While I have questions from your employees and coworkers.
only been in my current role for a year, I thought I Engage in dialogue about the reasons behind
would share the top three pieces of advice I would decisions that have been made, as these may very
give to anyone who is ready to move on to their well help you make solid decisions in the future.
next role in Procurement. Ask for advice of outside colleagues and experts.
The more you know the better job you can do of
Advice #1: Ask ALL the Questions supporting your district in getting what students
need to obtain a great education.
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for
tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop Advice #2: Research, Research, Research
questioning." – Albert Einstein
"Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and
When you first step into your new role, you are, prying with a purpose." – Zora Neale Hurston
for most of your new colleagues, an unknown
factor. No one knows what your management "Whether you are in a new district,
style is, or how you may interpret the murkier or simply a new position in your
procurement rules. Especially if you are moving
to a new district, you will be tested by end-users, current district, you need to spend CONTRACT # 24M-GHAST-0405
just as if you were a substitute teacher walking time doing research."
into a middle school classroom to fill a long-term
vacancy – it's human nature, after all. No, you won't be setting up any experiments
here, but you need an understanding of how your
You need to immediately start asking questions. district has approached Procurement. You need to
All questions. Any questions. Questions about know information like: CONTRACT # 23-11PV-04
policies and procedures. Questions about • For what commodities do they use cooperative
requisitions and solicitations. Questions about contracts? 2 PHOENIX:
0
audits. Don't be afraid to ask for information • Are there any standards for requisition 2
and clarifications, and certainly do not approve descriptions? 5 TUCSON:
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18 THE EDGE BACK TO SCHOOL 2025 19
