Where did you begin your journey toward a career in school business?
Melissa Elwood, assistant superintendent of business services at Corona-Norco Unified School District, started as a junior accounts payable clerk.

Richard De Nava, assistant superintendent of business services at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, took his first steps toward school business leadership at the U.S. Military Academy. Though he didn’t know it at the time, the leadership training he received at West Point – and the skills he honed commanding troops in Afghanistan during the global war on terror – allowed him to start his formal career in school business as a director of purchasing.

“My first CBO, when he hired me, said, ‘Look, I want you to take on this position as a director because I need a leader. What I do not need is somebody who knows the job but doesn’t know how to lead or work with people. I know you’ll pick up the technical acumen on the job,’” De Nava says.

At that point, De Nava knew virtually nothing about school purchasing. Or school business. His CBO pointed him down a path of professional learning.

“Number one, you’ve got to go to your follow job alike meetings,” De Nava recalls. “Number two, you have to join CASBO. I’m going to send you to the annual conference.”

Finding your way forward in school business isn’t always so simple. The paths to a career in school business are many and diverse. Some people start in facilities management, others in accounting. Some come from corporate America and some, from the education side of the house. Each individual brings a unique skill set, as well as unique learning needs. Each requires support and education to realize their potential.

And yet, “not long ago, professional development across many industries was treated as a ‘nice to have’ – something funded only if there was room in the budget at the end of the year,” says Kristen Gates, CASBO’s online learning director. If anyone got professional development, it was usually individuals at the executive level.

That’s starting to change.

“We’re seeing a shift as more districts make professional development part of their core operational strategy,” Gates says. “The focus is now on building capacity at every level.”

Increasingly, school districts are realizing that building individuals’ capacity strengthens the functioning and operation of the district as a whole. But mapping out the school business learning journey remains challenging for many.

That’s why CASBO is investing time and attention to developing school business learning pathways – and encouraging CBOs to do the same.

Learning Pathways Provide Direction

Historically, most learning within school business occurred on the job. Mentors who spotted potential in promising employees provided informal education and recommended (and often supported) formal professional development opportunities. Career pathways were largely informal, and progression in a school business career depended heavily on personal motivation. CBOs devoted most of their future-planning efforts to the district at large without giving much thought to the professional development of the individuals working within business services.

Contrast that to the military environment De Nava experienced as a young man. The miliary has very clear career ladders, with well-defined benchmarks for promotion. Individuals take on additional responsibilities as they gain rank, and the military invests considerable time and training in preparing individuals to assume greater responsibility. Recruits generally understand what is required to advance, and leaders are expected to support the development of those under their command.

School business, of course, operates within a completely different environment than the U.S. military.

Facilitating the professional growth and advancement of each employee, however, should be a priority of school business leaders as well.

Right now, it’s difficult for CBOs and others in school business to easily visualize a clear learning pathway. There’s no clearly defined route from, say, accounts payable clerk to CBO. Multiple educational opportunities and possible career pathways exist, but it’s challenging for individuals to pick a path forward when they don’t have a full picture of the possibilities.

Enter learning pathways.

“I like to think of learning pathways as the map at a trailhead,” Gates says.

People beginning a hike typically know where they want to go, but a glance at the trail map may also reveal an intriguing destination that they hadn’t yet considered – one they may decide to pursue when they realize it’s closer than they thought. Trail maps also usually show more than one route to get to the same destination, and hikers can choose the path that best fits their abilities, interests and goals.

In the same way, career pathways can help individuals in school business step forward confidently.

“A lot of people know they want to grow, but they aren’t sure where to start or which learning opportunity is the right fit,” Gates says. “Learning pathways can help them identify their next best step based on their role, goals and preferences.”

Learning pathways can (but don’t have to be) formalized. CASBO is currently working to help members more clearly understand possible paths forward by suggesting next steps for those who complete a course, workshop or certificate.

“We want members to see how our professional learning opportunities connect,” Gates says. “You’ll start to see more messaging that will help school business professionals ask and identify, Where am I today? What do I need next? Which of these opportunities make the most sense for me?”

CBOs can provide a similar service within their districts by discussing and sharing learning opportunities with others in school business. School business leaders can also offer in-district professional development and career guidance. Annual employee evaluations are a great time to discuss learning pathways, says Elwood, Corona-Norco Unified’s assistant superintendent of business services.

“When we identify a knowledge gap or challenge, we look to find something to help close that gap,” she says.

If someone is struggling with Excel, additional Excel training may be in order. If someone is interested in improving their communication skills, they may be a good candidate for CASBO’s School Business Communications Micro-Certificate, a six-module, self-paced program that helps participants overcome conflict avoidance and approach high-stakes conversations with courage and strategy. An employee who is interested in artificial intelligence (AI) can be encouraged to learn more about AI tools and best practices.

How to Find (and Map) Your Learning Journey

Start Simply

You don’t need to know your final destination to begin a learning journey. “Take the pressure off yourself to have your whole learning path or career journey mapped out,” Gates says.

“School business careers are rarely linear, so you don’t necessarily need a clear picture from start to finish. You just need to drill down to one question: What do I need next?”

If you don’t have a clear answer to that question, ask a colleague who’s familiar with your career goals and skills. Or you can simply pick an educational option that looks interesting.

“Start with something as simple as a 30-minute 101 course,” Gates says. If you enjoy that course, consider one or more of the recommended additional learning opportunities for continued growth. (If you didn’t like that first course you tried, try something completely different next time.)

Seek Input from Your Team

“Ask questions along the way,” De Nava says. Your co-workers and colleagues may have a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses than you do – and they may be aware of professional development opportunities you aren’t.

Your supervisor can also help you contextualize your learning journey. Together, discuss how your skills serve the district’s broader goals. Brainstorm areas of growth based both on your personal interests and the needs of the district. Identify learning opportunities that will help you stretch your abilities and improve your
service.

Consult a Guide

Sometimes, a map isn’t enough.

That’s especially true mid-journey. As obvious as a trail may appear on the map at the trailhead, deep in the woods, it’s sometimes hard to tell if you’re meant to continue straight ahead or follow the path veering off to the right. Alone, you’re likely to guess. With an experienced guide beside you, you’re much more likely to stay on your intended path.

A mentor – an experienced individual who’s traveled the path before you – can help you stay on track. If you haven’t yet found a mentor, consider CASBO’s Mentor Program, which pairs experienced leaders with emerging professionals.

Seize Opportunities

“Don’t wait for someone to anoint you,” Gates says. “If you see a good next move, pursue it.”

Say “yes” to opportunities that make you a bit uncomfortable; growth rarely happens in our comfort zone. Take advantage of professional development sessions offered by your district, professional organizations and county office of education. And if you spot an opportunity you’d like to pursue but aren’t sure if your district will support you, reach out to CASBO.

“For select leadership programs, CASBO provides learners with customizable letter templates to request support from their CBO or superintendent,” Gates says.

As the profession works to create clearer, more intentional pathways for school business professionals, CASBO is committing to helping members navigate the opportunities that exist now and identify the resources and next steps that make sense for them.

“CASBO’s here to help people see what’s possible, choose a next step and build a learning journey that fits their goals,” Gates says.

Take the Next Step On Your Learning Journey

Wherever you are in your school business career, CASBO offers opportunities to continue your learning, build your network and prepare for what’s next. Start by making sure you’re connected to everything your membership offers.

Activate your profile. Included in your organization’s membership, your CASBO profile is your gateway to member benefits. Activate your account to access professional development opportunities. Visit casbo.org/activate

Connect and learn with peers. Join live, virtual topic roundtables for timely conversations with colleagues who understand your work, or attend local section events for in-person professional development and connections closer to home. Visit casbo.org/calendar for all events.

Learn on your schedule. CASBO School Business University (SBU) puts self-paced, virtual learning at your fingertips, making it easy to strengthen your knowledge when and where it works for you. Visit learn.casbo.org to get started.

Build deeper expertise. Micro-certificates provide focused learning to help you develop skills and demonstrate competency in key areas of school business. Visit casbo.org/cert to view all certifications and programs.

Learn together, statewide. CASBO’s signature events, including CASBO Con, CBO Symposium and Women in Leadership, bring school business professionals together for practical strategies, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

Prepare to lead. Ready for your next level? Advanced programs such as the CBO Business Executives Leadership (BEL) Program and Strategic School Business University, in collaboration with Stanford, provide deeper leadership development for professionals ready to expand their impact.

Jennifer L.W. Fink is a freelance writer based in Mayville, Wisconsin.