“It’s a Business”: Student Affairs Practitioners’ Transition From a Not-for-Profit to For-Profit Institution of Higher Education

In this phenomenological inquiry the author examined the experience of transitioning from student affairs work at not-for-profit colleges and universities to work in institutions of higher education that generate revenue or dividends for owners, investors, or shareholders, commonly called for-profit institutions. Multiple interviews with 11 participants yielded 5 themes: a focus on business, the purpose of student affairs work, position role and responsibilities, the supervisory relationship, and alternate preparation for for-profit work. Implications are addressed, including the process, setting, and context of work; making one’s philosophy explicit; the role of graduate preparation programs; and position level and gender.