teaching at a community college?

[Anonymous]

I am interested in changing careers, and one of the things I have enjoyed doing is teaching adults. I think a community college might be a good place for me. I actually attended one before moving on to a 4 year. I have a Master's degree. I would be looking at NOVA CC. Thoughts? Considerations? Experiences?

[Anonymous]

My niece and my cousin both teach at community colleges. They love it. My cousin also runs a department r (political science) and both are full professors. Doesn't sound like a high paying job, but I actually don't know that for sure because we don't talk money. I also have two friends who teach at MC and also love it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks. I am looking at the workforce development program at NVCC now. I think I would like teaching motivated adults. I know it's not a high paying job. It fortunately that isn't an issue for me now. I just want to help change people's lives for the better.

[Anonymous]

sleepy job but nice quality of life and low hours.

[Anonymous]

Have you taught before at the college level? I ask because it is different in many ways than traditional 4-year institutions. I teach at a large local CC (not NVCC though).

Like all colleges, adjuncts abound. It may be best to get into teaching as an adjunct first: this is a much more attainable job and will let you feel it out.

The pay for adjuncts, in my experience, is about 20% more for less work (in terms of hours) than I have gotten at 4-year highly regarded schools. That was a pleasant shock for me. Also, the resources are not as pretty, but they are more readily available to me at my CC (supplies, access, ease of cheap parking, etc...).

The demand for research is not as great as a FT faculty member, but there are other pulls on your time as you might imagine. For me, the CC way is more rewarding though can be challenging. You mention highly motivated students - yes, there are many of those. But as you probably saw with your own experience, there are lots of students on the other end of the spectrum too. I get far more students failing outright in CC than at a U. I still find it more rewarding, and I will give it my all, but that's been my experience and in discussing it with others it seems typical.

Go meet the dept. coordinator face to face and show your interest. Share your story. It's a huge asset that you yourself attended a similar school, both to the department and to your students with whom you can share your experience and be a role model for.

GL!

[Anonymous]

It's a great, flexible job and especially wonderful if you have young kids. The first few years can be intense as you get to know your courses. There are increasing demands on faculty time for committees etc and this can be tedious. Don't adjunct if you can avoid it.