Adjunct prof jobs?

[Anonymous]

Fine as resume padding, terrible if you actually intend to earn money.

In DC, we have a ton of professional PhDs--people who hold doctorates but have careers outside of academia. Those people will sometimes adjunct for us. They are often recommended to us by colleagues. Networking is important. It's hard to get a gig as an adjunct unless you already know someone in the department.

[Anonymous]

I am a SAHM with a B.A and M.A. from a local school, and a J.D. from a top 10 school. Am thinking about looking for an adjunct position to prevent my brain from rotting.

[Anonymous]

I'm a frequent adjunct and I have to say that I disagree with many of the posters here.

I fully admit that my income is supplemental to my family and we are not dependent on it, but I make between $15K and low $30Ks a year adjuncting which is not small change for such little commitment. I also have another industry-relevant job, which is crucial to being able to be an effective professor in my field.

It's easy, and I've been doing it so long that I don't have to prep beyond outlining a syllabus and giving each class some thought. My graded products are not written, so that also probably shaves a lot of time off of my commitment.

Agree that you need to know someone - HR is worthless. I was hired after my terminal degree graduation to teach a course. That's morphed into many courses here and there and my capabilities and specialties have grown. Still, I'd never get hired from the outside now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a frequent adjunct and I have to say that I disagree with many of the posters here.

I fully admit that my income is supplemental to my family and we are not dependent on it, but I make between $15K and low $30Ks a year adjuncting which is not small change for such little commitment. I also have another industry-relevant job, which is crucial to being able to be an effective professor in my field.

It's easy, and I've been doing it so long that I don't have to prep beyond outlining a syllabus and giving each class some thought. My graded products are not written, so that also probably shaves a lot of time off of my commitment.

Agree that you need to know someone - HR is worthless. I was hired after my terminal degree graduation to teach a course. That's morphed into many courses here and there and my capabilities and specialties have grown. Still, I'd never get hired from the outside now.

Is this in DC at a research university?

Also, of course, at this point it's easy--but OP has never adjuncted before, and the first year is the most time consuming. Also, depends on the courses you teach. Some, like the writing intensive courses, require a lot more time that those that only give exams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your goal here? Do you want to augment your regular work by being able to work with undergrad students because you enjoy teaching and make a few bucks on the side? Or are you looking to do it full-time instead of a different job?

Because the first is very doable and some universities pay okay per course (Georgetown, for example). The second is a very difficult life -- low pay, insecure, and low status. 15:14 is right.

What does georgetown typically pay? I was offered a position for a two credit course and the pay was only 2500.

It varies but roughly $6500 for a 3 credit course, which is higher than most for the DC area. Was that a Continuing Ed course you were offered?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a SAHM with a B.A and M.A. from a local school, and a J.D. from a top 10 school. Am thinking about looking for an adjunct position to prevent my brain from rotting.

At most law schools they are looking for adjunct profs who still practice. There may be some exceptions, but that's the norm. I can't speak to other disciplines.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is your goal here? Do you want to augment your regular work by being able to work with undergrad students because you enjoy teaching and make a few bucks on the side? Or are you looking to do it full-time instead of a different job?

Because the first is very doable and some universities pay okay per course (Georgetown, for example). The second is a very difficult life -- low pay, insecure, and low status. 15:14 is right.

What does georgetown typically pay? I was offered a position for a two credit course and the pay was only 2500.

It varies but roughly $6500 for a 3 credit course, which is higher than most for the DC area. Was that a Continuing Ed course you were offered?

No this was for the law school. Two credits. 13 classes, 2 hours each plus papers to grade. I've heard Continuing Studies pays better. 6500 for a three credit course - that's a lot more than the 2500 I was offered for two credits.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a frequent adjunct and I have to say that I disagree with many of the posters here.

I fully admit that my income is supplemental to my family and we are not dependent on it, but I make between $15K and low $30Ks a year adjuncting which is not small change for such little commitment. I also have another industry-relevant job, which is crucial to being able to be an effective professor in my field.

It's easy, and I've been doing it so long that I don't have to prep beyond outlining a syllabus and giving each class some thought. My graded products are not written, so that also probably shaves a lot of time off of my commitment.

Agree that you need to know someone - HR is worthless. I was hired after my terminal degree graduation to teach a course. That's morphed into many courses here and there and my capabilities and specialties have grown. Still, I'd never get hired from the outside now.

Is this in DC at a research university?

Also, of course, at this point it's easy--but OP has never adjuncted before, and the first year is the most time consuming. Also, depends on the courses you teach. Some, like the writing intensive courses, require a lot more time that those that only give exams.

NP here considering an adjunct position. How many hours a week is this to make between $15 & 30k? I'm guessing that in the first year or so while setting up the curricula I'd barely be making minimum wage. But I loved teaching in grad school and want to try it a little more to see if I want to go that route.

[Anonymous]

I am a research scientist with a PhD and 20 years experience. I have always wanted to teach, but the market was awful 20 yrs ago....I would love to be an Adjunct for one or two classes a year...I don't need the income.

[Anonymous]

Even if the money's not great, there are sometimes some tax advantages. Teach a couple of courses online from home and deduct your home office. Go to a conference and deduct that too. Buy a new computer. Deduct your internet, etc. Call your students and deduct your phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP here considering an adjunct position. How many hours a week is this to make between $15 & 30k? I'm guessing that in the first year or so while setting up the curricula I'd barely be making minimum wage. But I loved teaching in grad school and want to try it a little more to see if I want to go that route.

Don't take an adjunct job with the hope that it will turn into a full-time teaching job. It very rarely happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm a frequent adjunct and I have to say that I disagree with many of the posters here.

I fully admit that my income is supplemental to my family and we are not dependent on it, but I make between $15K and low $30Ks a year adjuncting which is not small change for such little commitment. I also have another industry-relevant job, which is crucial to being able to be an effective professor in my field.

It's easy, and I've been doing it so long that I don't have to prep beyond outlining a syllabus and giving each class some thought. My graded products are not written, so that also probably shaves a lot of time off of my commitment.

Agree that you need to know someone - HR is worthless. I was hired after my terminal degree graduation to teach a course. That's morphed into many courses here and there and my capabilities and specialties have grown. Still, I'd never get hired from the outside now.

Is this in DC at a research university?

Also, of course, at this point it's easy--but OP has never adjuncted before, and the first year is the most time consuming. Also, depends on the courses you teach. Some, like the writing intensive courses, require a lot more time that those that only give exams.

NP here considering an adjunct position. How many hours a week is this to make between $15 & 30k? I'm guessing that in the first year or so while setting up the curricula I'd barely be making minimum wage. But I loved teaching in grad school and want to try it a little more to see if I want to go that route.

About 8 hours in class per week over two days. Essentially 6 credits/semester including summer earns me over $34k. That's the most packed my schedule could be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Even if the money's not great, there are sometimes some tax advantages. Teach a couple of courses online from home and deduct your home office. Go to a conference and deduct that too. Buy a new computer. Deduct your internet, etc. Call your students and deduct your phone.

But, I already can deduct this on my day job: conference is professional development and is deductible unless the company pays for it....I work at home, and deduct the home office...internet and computer set up...and phone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here with adjunct experience at Johns Hopkins? The option 1 above (augmenting regular work) is of interest. DH has a PhD in relevant field and a few publications (but not many) in top journals.

When I last adjuncted at Hopkins in 2013 the going rate in the Krieger School (teaching undergrads) was $8,000 a semester. The best way in would be for you husband to work his connections and find someone who is chummy with the head of the department in which DH wants to work, then ask if that person will send an email introduction and DH's CV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone here with adjunct experience at Johns Hopkins? The option 1 above (augmenting regular work) is of interest. DH has a PhD in relevant field and a few publications (but not many) in top journals.

When I last adjuncted at Hopkins in 2013 the going rate in the Krieger School (teaching undergrads) was $8,000 a semester. The best way in would be for you husband to work his connections and find someone who is chummy with the head of the department in which DH wants to work, then ask if that person will send an email introduction and DH's CV.

For a single 3-credit class? I can't believe that. Going rate is around $3000 at other schools in DC.