Chance to take on more responsibility

[cleanhousewastedlife]

I'm a relatively lecturer and programme leader and just been asked to consider taking on another more senior responsibility (like an additional pl position but lots more work). The person keen for me to do it says it'll be great for career progression but all I can see is several years of additional work and meetings while the Uni decides whether or not new responsibility actually equals grounds for promotion (apparently it would have to be this way round). At the same time of course they want me to do a PhD etc. I'm also already acting PL on a second programme as the PL left. Would I be shortsighted not to take the very CV friendly position, or mad to suck up the extra work? I'm torn, and haven't been doing this long enough to know what to do. Also, I don't want to be the woman who does extra work for no extra pay! I don't know if this is a vote if confidence in me or that they think I'm a mug....

Depends where you are & what you see your career trajectory as being. I would avoid - what does it add to your CV?

if it doesn't lead to promotion, then no.

To outsiders the HE system of promotion seems very odd - you have to take on extra roles/responsibilities which may or may not lead to promotion. Unlike in most other fields where you apply for a position and immediately get paid the going rate.

Like the other posters I'd agree it depends on what your aspirations are for a career path in HE. I would caution that the promotion goalposts can be moveable by universities - so what you think might get you promotion now could well change in the medium term.

If you haven't got serious aspirations to climb the ladder think carefully about promotion if you value work/life balance.

Can you get promoted without a PhD? I'd be looking to plug this gap rather than take on anything remotely similar to what you are already doing (PL).

Thanks for the responses. Lots to think about. I'm getting quite a bit of 'persuasion' to take this on. Hmmm....

I wouldn't. From what you've said, it's far too uncertain and will be a big time suck, and most importantly stop you getting on with a PhD which would be more obviously good for career prospects. I would be saying that you want to be able to make a good job of your current PL role (which will add those skills to your CV anyway) and of your PhD research and you don't want to take on something you don't have the time to do properly. People push these things for their benefit, not yours.

What everyone else has said...and to say that promotion criteria often change over time. You risk taking on the extra to find a year or so later the promotion criteria has changed! I'd prioritise the Doctorate as it's way more portable between institutions