Adjunct Teaching

[MrFun]

Well, I had a successful interview today (Mon., Nov. 19) for a part-time/adjunct teaching position at a community college. This will be my second time working as an adjunct, only at a different college.

Pay sucks of course, and I will be commutting one hour each way to teach two U.S. history classes each week, but I need to get more positive experience in addition to what I already have. And other important thing is that I enjoy teaching history.

So how is everyone else doing with their career/job? Anyone gone through a successful or not-so successful change/transition recently? Or what about life as a college student?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Congrats, Mr. Fun! Is there a chance this could lead to a permanent gig? Community college can be a pretty nice deal, often paying more than 4-year research universities. Good luck!

[Koyaanisqatsi]

I'll be starting as adjunct faculty in the spring too. Given what I'm going to be paid, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if community colleges paid more...I think if they paid less they'd drop below minimum wage. At least my commute is better, it's only about 2 minutes.

That should run until the end of 08, when my research fellowship is up...still haven't decided if I want to take the grad assistantship I was offered after that. Being poor sucks, but so does working a boring job. Meh. Probably depends on whether or not I decide I like teaching...I get the feeling it could be touch and go. Unfortunately the local job market is sufficiently tanked that neither my fiancee nor I will be seeing even half our real value anytime soon, so it might be just as good to keep teaching for a while anyway.

[Japher]

So how is everyone else doing with their career/job? Anyone gone through a successful or not-so successful change/transition recently? Or what about life as a college student?

Fine. I like my current position and will be starting school in January to get an MBA. The job I have now is perfect for going to school, earning a good income for my family, and padding my resume.

Still, I interview with my current company for an engineering job, and while they haven't told me no they haven't told me yes. To top it off, it sounds like they are having some personnel issues in the department. So, I plan to lay low and hopefully they will slide me in. The pay would be better, but the time for school and family will be less.

Additionally, a few months ago the District Manager for an Insurance company asked me if I would be interested in working for him. The pay and benefits were about twice what I make now and the work was pretty lax, not to mention the experience would be good for a career transition, which is something I have been considering. Anyway, the guy who wants me to come work with him called me up and started talking up the position. Kept on about how much time they get off, how much responsibility and control they have, etc. etc. The position should be coming available in the next few months so he's just reminding me. So that's interesting.

Still not sure what direction to go in, but it's nice to have options.

[Wiglaf]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
Congrats, Mr. Fun! Is there a chance this could lead to a permanent gig? Community college can be a pretty nice deal, often paying more than 4-year research universities. Good luck!

What? A research university is about a million times preferable, if only for the opportunities for advancement and the fact that the students probably give more of a crap.

[Elok]

My mom's been an adjunct psych professor at Anne Arundel Community College for years now. Be prepared to get treated like a second-class citizen...wait, you're gay, you might be used to that. They will not only pay you less, but if it's anything like AACC, they'll use your classes as a sort of blood bank for the careers of low-quality regular faculty.

"Hmm, not enough people signed up for my section of 101, so I'll only be teaching three classes this semester? That won't do. Better steal this full section from an adjunct, who's attracted lots of students who loved her from previous classes."

Not that she's bitter or anything. She's been talking about unionizing, but nothing ever came of it. But at least she enjoys her work.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Wiglaf


What? A research university is about a million times preferable, if only for the opportunities for advancement and the fact that the students probably give more of a crap.

I've lived several places where the community college pay scale (for full-timers, not adjuncts) started higher and rose morer steeply than at research universities. Mind you, that's only for the liberal arts and social sciences; uni salaries for science, engineering, and professional disciplines tend to be higher, since they have to compete with the private sector. But since the Funster is going to teach history, my point is valid.

And take it from someone who taught at research universities in the US for years: it would be impossible for such students to give any less of a crap than they already do.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Elok
... She's been talking about unionizing ...

Then she'll want to talk to the folks at AFSCME Council 92 Link They can help.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Japher


Fine. I like my current position and will be starting school in January to get an MBA. The job I have now is perfect for going to school, earning a good income for my family, and padding my resume.

Still, I interview with my current company for an engineering job, and while they haven't told me no they haven't told me yes. To top it off, it sounds like they are having some personnel issues in the department. So, I plan to lay low and hopefully they will slide me in. The pay would be better, but the time for school and family will be less.

Additionally, a few months ago the District Manager for an Insurance company asked me if I would be interested in working for him. The pay and benefits were about twice what I make now and the work was pretty lax, not to mention the experience would be good for a career transition, which is something I have been considering. Anyway, the guy who wants me to come work with him called me up and started talking up the position. Kept on about how much time they get off, how much responsibility and control they have, etc. etc. The position should be coming available in the next few months so he's just reminding me. So that's interesting.

Still not sure what direction to go in, but it's nice to have options.

Here's to having good options!

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Elok
My mom's been an adjunct psych professor at Anne Arundel Community College for years now. Be prepared to get treated like a second-class citizen...

I've already taught as an adjunct before elsewhere so I know about the good, the bad, the ugly.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Koyaanisqatsi
I'll be starting as adjunct faculty in the spring too. Given what I'm going to be paid, I wouldn't be surprised in the least if community colleges paid more...I think if they paid less they'd drop below minimum wage. At least my commute is better, it's only about 2 minutes.

That should run until the end of 08, when my research fellowship is up...still haven't decided if I want to take the grad assistantship I was offered after that. Being poor sucks, but so does working a boring job. Meh. Probably depends on whether or not I decide I like teaching...I get the feeling it could be touch and go. Unfortunately the local job market is sufficiently tanked that neither my fiancee nor I will be seeing even half our real value anytime soon, so it might be just as good to keep teaching for a while anyway.

Hope all goes well for you.

[Asher]

Congrats on the position. Make sure you use your position as a teacher to your advantage with the male students desperate for marks.

Career is good for me. Through a combination of good timing and apparently good impressions, I'm team lead for a 6-man team now doing software consulting for a major US investment bank. The youngest person aside from me (24) is 28. Oldest is 34. It's awkward, but good. It's my first time with minions in any real setting. I'm a real go getter!

But I fear I must stop wearing hoodies to work in favour of some snazzier dress clothes with my new role. Also have to travel more, but it's mostly to NYC which is a hop, skip, and a jump from here (1 hr flight). Good for frequent flier miles.

[Wiglaf]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly


I've lived several places where the community college pay scale (for full-timers, not adjuncts) started higher and rose morer steeply than at research universities. Mind you, that's only for the liberal arts and social sciences; uni salaries for science, engineering, and professional disciplines tend to be higher, since they have to compete with the private sector. But since the Funster is going to teach history, my point is valid.

And take it from someone who taught at research universities in the US for years: it would be impossible for such students to give any less of a crap than they already do.

When was the last time a student at a community college wrote a thesis or did any thoughtful research? Students there either couldn't make a state school or want a late associate's degree so they can stop baking cakes or want career advancement whatever. If the average CC student attempted any sort of sophisticated academic activity, many actual college students could decimate them.

There's nothing wrong with going to a crap college/community college or teaching at one. But don't go pretending it's something it isn't.

[Ramo]

Congrats Sounds like a fine job; don't listen to Wiggy.

As for the difference between a community college job and a research institution job, the biggest difference probably isn't going to be the quality of the students (it's not a huge joy TAing for Rice kids) but the amount of time that you'd have to be teaching (i.e. a lot more in the community college). Though that difference would probably be less pronounced in a field like history than the sciences...

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Wiglaf


When was the last time a student at a community college wrote a thesis or did any thoughtful research?

You think undergrads at a typical 4-year university do "thoughtful research"? Dream on.

Students there either couldn't make a state school or want a late associate's degree so they can stop baking cakes or want career advancement whatever.

Often the latter -- which means they're actually much more motivated than the typical undergrad, who views college as a 4-year, parentally-funded drinking binge.

If the average CC student attempted any sort of sophisticated academic activity, many actual college students could decimate them.

Not the ones I taught. Not that they were worse than CC students, just that there wasn't a bit of intellectual difference between them. Class difference, yes, but not intellectual difference.

There's nothing wrong with going to a crap college/community college or teaching at one. But don't go pretending it's something it isn't.

Yep. Just enjoy the money, since your professor friends can't.