4 Steps to Become a College Adjunct Instructor
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
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This is my first semester lecturing at a community college! I graduated with my bachelor's in July. In August, I was hired on as a Biol/Chem Tutor and and Lab TA. I was then talked into lecturing my first course this spring! ☺️
Have fun this semester! I hope it's a great experience!
If you don’t mind me asking what state are you in? I also have a bachelors degree in communications, in in New Jersey moving to LA soon
Do you like Tom Petty?
@@kylekullin2520 work hard and progress Hindi life
@@usmanrandhawa1399 Do you like Tom Petty?
Good information. I actually taught my first course while I was a graduate student. I started working part time as an academic advisor at a local community college and was able to talk them into giving me the opportunity to teach a class. I also recommend building relationships with your instructors, because that later helped me get into teaching at a four year college. My plan is to start sharing videos on being a better professor, so watch out for them.
Roger Horsman Absolutely! I know a number of people who have gotten into teaching that way, whether part-time or full-time. Feel free to let me know when your videos are on CZcams and I’ll check them out!
I got my first adjunct position by guest-lecturing a colleague's class who then put my name in dept chair's hat! This was a colleague I met at a non-academic job. That then led to a second p/t teaching position at my alma mater. It's not a lot of money, but it's an awesome supplement to my other income.
blink56k I’m so glad you’ve had a good experience! I know a number of people who teach once a week after their 9-5 job, just for something different and rewarding 😊.
@dominique larae I am surprised. I have a masters degree and I applied for a tutoring position. I asked them if I could later become an assistant or professor. They said, "No, none of our tutors ever become assistants or professors". Mind you, I also have a masters degree. Fortunately, those days are far behind and I now substitute teach at a performing arts high school, and I love it.
I got my first music adjunct job without a prior TA position. I went into my interview with a demo syllabus of each of the classes I believed I was qualified to teach. I wound up getting the job and 3 different classes.
That’s great! There are so many different ways to get hired as a part-time instructor, and previous experience in the field (without being a TA, and sometimes without teaching experience) is definitely one of them! Having a syllabus ready probably really sealed the deal- that’s a great tip for anyone trying to get hired!
I'd absolutely love to teach college
Great video Erin! Thanks for the information!
In most countries you need a PHD to teach at a university level. I can see why the universities in the US are using people with Master's degree to teach, so they can pay them a much lower wage. The universities know that there are far more people with Master's degree than PHD. More supply of people means they can suppress the wages. It was the same thing that happen during the Great Depression.
I have five + years of adjunct teaching experience at both the university and community college level. In addition, I have three Master's degrees with teaching experience in each subject (MA History, MA Philosophy, and an MS in Library Science). I have no desire to teach full time and am well aware of other people's perspectives regarding low pay for adjuncts among other issues. In my unique situation, I am not seeking an adjunct position for financial reasons. I truly have a passion for teaching history and philosophy to undergraduates. Question: My experience is more than ten years old and I now wish to transition back into the world of adjunct teaching and do not mind if it is online or traditional classroom. Also, every person that knew me as an Instructor has either been retired for many years or have passed away. My third MA was earned just last year so it seems being able to teach three different subjects would increase one's odds of landing a part time teaching position. Two years and no luck. Any advice? I cannot be the only person on Earth in a similar situation. Thank you.
I completely understand! I’ve never had the desire to teach full-time either, but I love teaching part-time. In regard to your current situation, you might want to see if any of your retired colleagues are still in touch with other instructors or department heads that they could put you in contact with (if you’re friends with them on Facebook, you could always just send them a Facebook message or email to touch base- I’ve done this a number of times in the past and it’s been surprisingly successful!). If this isn’t an option, there are slower but still effective ways to get back into adjuncting. I recommend looking into thebabbgroup.com and/or instructionalconnections.com. It costs some money to use their services (and I've never used them before, but I've heard good things), but it might be worth it for someone in your position who has the exact credentials schools are looking for. I hope this helps!
Interesting video. I've always wanted to teach but I couldn't afford to stay in school after my engineering Masters. I needed a better paycheck to pay the bills, so I went into industry. I've been there for 20+ years but would love the opportunity to adjunct. I miss being in front of a class. I was a TA in grad school and loved it, but that is my only teaching experience. To start I'd like to establish a presence with my local community colleges. Maybe some volunteer work collaborating or sitting on an advisory committee bringing my experience in industry to the table. How might I go about this?
I think you'd have great shot at adjuncting at a local college by just going to the college's website, and looking for the 'Employment' or 'Careers' link (sometimes it's in a really obscure spot on the home page, so you may have to look carefully), and submitting your resume. Local schools are always looking for adjuncts, and I know plenty of people who have a master's degree, mimimal classroom experience, and plenty of industry experience who teach one evening class each week in addition to their 9 to5 job because they simply enjoy it!
Of course, your best bet is to ask around and see if you know anyone at work or in your social network who has any sort of connection to a local school- much of the time, it just takes some guidance from someone already familiar with the school to help you get an adjunct position.
I would try both approaches, and see what happens!
You could also try doing some volunteer work or sitting on an advisory committee, like you mentioned, but I don't know how you would be able to get into something like that- unless (similiar to getting an adjunct position) you have some connections at the college to help you find an 'in' to get started.
Sorry for the long response, I hope this helps, and best of luck!
Happy Wellness to You, I have applied for several positions as an adjunct but it is hard to get my name out there. I do not have hard teaching skills but I have experience working with patients and families. Do you know how I can get my foot in the door? I have even thought about applying for a staff job rather than a teaching job until my doctorate is conferred in December. Can you give me some tip?
Applying for a staff job is actually a great way to get your foot in your door without any hands-on college teaching experience. I know a number of adjunct and full-time instructors who simply worked in the department in an administrative position and happened to be in the right place at the right time when a part-time instructor was needed on short notice (and of course, they had the all the right qualifications, without the experience). They've been teaching ever since.
I rather beg for money than be an adjunct professor this way I can still have my dignity.
Well then get to begging
I am interviewing for my first adjunct job in a week. I was instructed to prepare a 5-10 minute teaching presentation. What was your experience with this part of the interview?
Congrats on the interview! The key is to be engaging, professional, and show that you have mastery of the material. Best of luck!
+Erin Lovell Ebanks Thank you Erin, I will let you know how it turns out.
So how did it turn out? Did you ever move onto a full time post?
So how did it go?
We demand an update!
Did you end up teaching?
Thank you so much !!!
You’re so welcome!!
Why would you need a masters to be an adjunct? they make 20k per year or less.
To teach any college-level course the instructor needs to have a masters degree, and some adjuncts go on to become full-time professors at the schools they work for part-time. Some adjuncts do make low pay, around 20k like you mentioned, but many adjuncts today have the same income as full-time instructors (it depends on the type of classes you teach, how much the school pays, whether it's an online or face-to-face class, etc.). Books by Michelle Post and Dani Babb go into much more detail on these aspects if you're interested!
This is not true, no adjunct makes as much as a full time professor. Schools limit the amount of classes adjuncts can teach, the only way you could remotely make the same amount is to teach at three different schools teaching the maximum allotment of classes, which is typically 4 classes. In addition, the most I've seen an adjunct make is 3,500 per course, you do the math per year. On average a full time professor at a community college will make 55k per year, while full time university professors make even more than that all while only teaching 4-6 courses total.
The job ads I've seen at the community college level said "Bachelors degree required, masters degree preferred". All of the Universities require Masters or PhD
@ Erin
In your dreams. When you hold the title "Adjunct" for too long, that works against you in terms of eligibility for full time posts. Exceptions are rare.
Bryan Gomez That is true, however you are not taking into account that in order to become a full time University professor the work is much more rigorous and you have to spend more years learning and conducting research. Plus many (if not all) PHD holding professors publish their own research books while still teaching their class. So of course Professors with a PHD teaching at a university would make more than a professor at a CC who only obtained their Masters.
Step 5, apply for food stamps??
toomanybears 😂😂😂😂😂😂
I am really interested to become a university professor teaching photojournalism, video production, editing, and film. Hopefully it become a reality rather than a dream, I will be happy the day I become a college professor, my family will be happy, my friends will be happy, and my former professor will be happy the day I become a college professor because I have sacrifice my life to reach my dream job. It will be a monumental day and a milestone I can wait for that day to come so much that I am almost crying.
Keep working toward your dream!
@@erinlovellebanks5100 Thanks in 10 years I could be a college professor. It will be a milestone when I become a college professor. I was meant to be a professor.
4 steps:
1) Come to terms with teaching for very little money, basically no money, it will be a drain on you financially
2) Don't believe when they tell you it will lead to full time employment. They will ask you to teach 8 different classes, on short notice, and then turn around and hire someone they had never met before
3) Set your alarm for 10pm and ask yourself if you have an hour to respond to emails of students asking questions 2 hours before the assignment is due
4) Make sure your real job's work computer can't track what you're doing, because you're going to spend all your time at your real job doing your adjunct role
Hi Erin, cool video! I have a bit of a random question - I am currently running a series of interviews to better understand the adjunct professor's perspectives on student reporting. I would love to get your input on this - Would you maybe be open to having a chat?
I'm in my undergrad at UCLA currently, so I still have time to get teaching experience at the graduate level. However, I already have EXTENSIVE experience, in a multitude of teaching/leadership roles, but almost all of them are with children. Does this count at all as "teaching experience" in regards to teaching at Community College?
I would definitely include it on your resume, at least until you get experience teaching at the college level. It's not necessarily the type of teaching experience community colleges are looking for, but it doesn't hurt at all to include it. If you have that, plus your masters (in whatever subject your plan to teach), you're still in good shape!
Hi Erin. I appreciate your video and this is very helpful. I was recently got my Ph.D degree in Chemistry major in my country and I hope to teach college students in the United State. As far as I know there are some colleges(teaching school) hiring for assistant professor, which they primarily focus on teaching. And I actually had experiences as a teaching assistant for many freshman/undergrads courses but unsure if it will be suitable enough to be my teaching experience if applying this position. Because I lack the instructor experience during these periods which these positions always ask for. How do you think? Do you have some tips for it? Thank you!
Wow, I'm normally really good about responding but I just saw this! Sorry for the delay. If you have experience as a teaching assistant that is absolutely enough teaching experience to apply for teaching positions in the U.S., and will look great on a resume for a part-time or full-time teaching position. I hope the job hunt is going well!
I'm a lecturer of business administration in Kenya. My PhD in Business Administration is from a Kenyan University. I'm migrating to USA this year, is it possible to secure a position as a college professor or Instructor in the USA with my qualifications
Based on what I’ve seen at my schools, I don’t think you’d have a problem securing an adjunct position or a full-time position at a college (especially if you have a PhD- even if it’s from outside the US). I hope that helps!
Is the first step you gave up on life?
Thank you for the book recommendation :)
Jennifer Morgan You’re very welcome!
Hello Erin! Nice video, I find it very informative! I have a MBA in human resources management. And, I would love to teach business/human resources courses. Do I need an additional 18 graduate hours to teach these courses? Or do I qualify to teach them since I have my MBA in hunan resources management?
I’m glad you found it helpful! That’s a really good question. It actually probably depends on the school and the department. For instance, I have a masters in Mass Media Communication, so at some schools I’m only qualified to teach speech and mass media classes, while at other schools I’m able to teach a broader variety of communication classes. If I were in your position, I would apply to teach business/Human Resources classes at a few schools with my current credentials, and see where you get hired. If you start to feel that you’re not being hired because you’re lacking those extra credit hours, you may want to email someone in the department you’re interested in teaching in (you can find department email addresses on the school’s website) and ask them directly. I hope that helps!
Hey Erin. I have a CV and I am currently a Master's Degree Candidate. Do you have any recommendations or tips on how I should consider presenting a CV for a job opening as an adjunct faculty member? I have undergraduate research experience along with presentations and publications (no TA experience). I feel this could be beneficial to me as the subject matter is consistent with not only my Master's Degree but in what I would like to teach at the graduate level. I am planning to meet with one of my teacher's soon to discuss how he got his position teaching in the same subject that I am interested in. This is a relatively new program and is one-of-a-kind. It'd be really cool if I could secure a position like what my teacher has at the same University he teaches and where I currently study. Thanks for video and your help.
Hi Eric, it seems like you’re well on your way! For most adjunct positions, it’s okay to also send in your resume instead of a true CV (I did this for many of my first positions)- so you can do what you’re familiar with. I believe you need a doctorate to teach graduate classes, but with a masters you can definitely teach at the undergraduate level, which is a great place to start. I think talking with your teacher will be incredibly beneficial for you (try to make more of these kinds of connections!)- show him your CV or resume, ask him what your first steps should be (it can be different depending on the school, so he would know better than me), and ask him how to get your CV/resume in the right hands. Feel free to message me at the Happy Professor Facebook page if you still questions after talking with your teacher! Best of luck!
Where can I get classes to teach me online forums or how to be an online teacher? I'm not currently in grad school.
I'm not sure of any specific classes that can teach you to become an online instructor (aside from certifications you'll need to get once you're in grad school, or once you're already working as a face-to-face instructor and thinking about moving online). However, this article might be a good place to start www.geteducated.com/career-center/detail/online-instructor-post-secondary/, and there might be some helpful information in some of the blog posts I've written on www.happyprofessor.com/ over the years (specifically the posts in the 'Teaching Online' category). Lastly, you can also check out my books on Amazon to get an idea of how to start teaching online: www.amazon.com/Happy-Professors-Guide-Working-Home-ebook/dp/B07FJMRTNQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=erin+lovell+ebanks+how+to+teach+online&qid=1586969886&sr=8-1-fkmr0. I hope that helps!
Very insightful! Thank you
Glad I could help!
Awesome video! Thanks a bunch! I wish I would have gotten my masters at a face to face university vs. an online university so many more opportunities. I am lacking experience therefore I am struggling to gain employment as an adjunct instructor. Can you share tips on your interview process to becoming an adjunct please!
It can definitely be hard when you don't have teaching experience! However, if you know anyone teaching at a local community college (ask around- maybe even a friend of a friend!), offer to be a guest speaker for one or two class periods so that you have 'college teaching experience' to put on your resume (see thebabbgroup.com for more details about creative ways to get teaching experience).
As for your question about the interview process- the short answer is that it varies drastically. Most of the schools I've worked for in the past hired me based on my resume, teaching experience, because another adjunct put in a good word for me, and/or after a casual phone interview. Most adjuncts aren't 'formally' interviewed, at least none that I've met.
Questions I've been asked during phone interviews in the past are:
1. Our student body includes high school students and retired servicemen. Decribe one of the motivational strategies you would use to motivate these students to learn?
2. What educational experience and/or practical experience do you have that makes you the best candidate to teach a Speech course for our institution? Why should we hire you?
3. How would your students describe your teaching style?
4. If you had a class full of professional, non-traditional students, how would you adapt your course to increase the applicability of your content?
I hope that helps!
Hi ma'am. Im a Bs nursing graduate with an MA in Biology education and Phd in Biology education. Do I qualify to teach college level students with these credentials? Or should I align my bachelors degree to my graduate degrees to qualify?
You absolutely qualify to teach college level students! Because you have a PhD you might also (depending on the school and the department) be able to teach a larger variety of classes, you’ll be paid a bit more than other adjuncts who only have a master’s degree, and you’ll be hired much faster than others who only have a master’s degree. You’d also be much more likely to get a full-time teaching position if you applied for one (with or without teaching experience) because you have a PhD. I hope that helps!
@@erinlovellebanks5100 wow. so it's fine even though my bachelors degree is not BS BIOLOGY? thanks mam :)
@@jnep6052 You’re welcome! It should be fine since your other degrees are in Biology Education.
What I can't figure out is do you think you are actually doing a favor by showing people these steps, or are you just trying to sabotage their unfortunate lives...
'm currently getting my masters online, and I would love to become an adjunct instructor afterward. What would you suggest I should do as an online student to make that happen?
Good question. I can't say for sure, but if I were in your position I would get to know any faculty and staff members you've met/are working with currently as a student. Ask some of your professors about adjucting via email (you might be surprised to find that many of them are adjuncts). They could point you in the right direction and be your first stepping stone to adjuncting at the very school where you're getting your masters. Basically, it's all about networking; if you apply to work at a school where you don't have anyone pulling for you, you probably won't hear back. Good luck!
+Erin Lovell Ebanks Thank you so much! That helps a lot.
Glad I could help!
How do you get it online, which university?
Many traditional colleges have masters programs you can take fully online these days, so you've got plenty of options!
In india you need to have PhD to be professor. How can i get into this profession. I hold masters n 2 yr work experiance in software development n no other working experiance. How do i find jobs?
If you have all the qualifications (without the teaching experience), start out by working at the school or in the department you'd like to teach for (the position doesn't necessarily matter). As I mentioned in the comment below, just being in the right place and being surrounded by the right people on a daily basis could lead to your first paid teaching opportunity.
Well honestly most adjunct profs are teaching 101 201 type classes like intro to criminal justice or Eng 112
Thanks for sharing this. I have an MBA and several years experience working for the Federal Government.
I've been trying to get an adjunct teaching position to make some extra money at a local community college but it's like I can't even get an interview.
Anyone ran into this?
Hi Tom, I'm part of some adjunct Facebook groups and the general consensus is that it's harder to get online adjunct positions at the moment (unless you apply to positions very frequently and are willing to wait a year or so to hear back- that's been my experience in the past as well, except when I had a connection at the school). However, I know schools are desperate for face-to-face and hybrid instructors at the moment, so if you know anyone who knows anyone in the department you would be teaching in, definitely let them know about your interest. If not, just keep applying on HigherEdJobs.com, it might be frustrating, but from what I hear from my colleagues as long as you're persistent you'll eventually hear back from one of more schools. Even years ago when I was still trying to get more work, I normally didn't hear back from anyone for a year or so, but once I heard back they put me to work immediately. I hope that helps!
Thank you!!!
No problem, Jaime!
It depends on the subject, if you are qualified to teach math or science you don't need any experience. Why you would want to do this is beyond me - slave wages!
So you are making an instructional on how to get a job that pays worse than McDonald's salaries? LOL
It’s a part time job most adjunct already have corporate jobs they just side hustle like my pharmacist at cvs teaches at a medical school on the side
@@Missginalove
What rock are you living under? Majority of adjuncts are just that - adjuncts. Relatively few fit that description of yours.
Mathin3D the definition is literally n “the United States, an adjunct is a non-tenure-track faculty, though it can also be a scholar or teacher whose primary employer is not the school or department with which they have adjunct status.”
@@Missginalove
Any adjunct in the United States can attest to the fact that the difference between the dictionary definition and and the actual role is very big. Adjunct professors/instructors are basically second class citizens in "academia." There aren't many positive attributes that go with the profession with "adjunct" in its title.
My cousin said you can teach online with a mba and no experience is this true? For community college
It all depends on who you’re working with- the school, the department, who your contact is, what your professional reputation is, etc. For instance, if you were a nurse with a masters, you’d probably be easily hired without teaching experience because you have professional experience in the field you’d be teaching. I know speech therapists without teaching experience who become college speech instructors. Like most other things, it can also depend on who you know and/or if you have the basic credentials (like an MS/MA/MBA), no teaching experience, but they just happen to really like you and think you’d be a good fit! I hope that answers your question! Basically, it can vary depending on a number of factors.
Don't do it.
Good luck, get another job else you will be screwed