Becoming an Online Adjunct

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by sugibear, Jul 26, 2012.

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  1. sugibear

    sugibear New Member

    Hello,

    I was wondering if anyone out there has any experience/advice with landing an initial online adjunct position? I have been applying to no avail - I have no teaching experience under my belt.

    I have a strong education background and have worked in business, management, finance and administration (in the education field) and also have worked in retail management.

    My education background consists of:
    Ph. D. Conflict Analysis and Resolution - Nova Southeastern University - 2016
    MPA - University of Texas at Arlington - 2011
    MBA - National University - 2010
    BA Psychology - San Diego State University - 2007
    BS Criminal Justice Administration - University of Phoenix - 2007

    I'm wondering if someone could possibly give me insight on where I can get started? I'm looking to teach part-time online, that way it will help me with my upcoming teaching and training course.... also a little bit of extra cash for tuition! I have applied for a GA position through my program but am still waiting to hear back :)

    Thank you!
     
  2. mbaonline

    mbaonline New Member

    My advice is:
    1) Apply at local Community Colleges or Junior colleges that have online programs. Apply to teach in person or online. (I got hired on-the-spot when referred by a friend of the dean.) Sometimes being in the right spot at the right time works. Perhaps someone got sick or cancelled at the last moment. Once you’re teaching – even at B&M classes – you will have an easier time getting online jobs.
    2) Network with your instructors from your doctoral program and Master's degree program. Tell them what you want to teach. They may refer you, act as a reference for you etc.
    3) Network with non-education contacts - they may know someone. Search LinkedIn.
    4) Offer to be a guest speaker for an instructor to get experience.
    5) Check local trade organizations and technical schools. They may have quasi-professional programs where you could get some experience.
    6) Complete a profile at HigherEdin their jobs site. It will allow employers to search and will also email you when jobs come up that meet your parameters.
    7) Develop a Curriculum Vitae (CV) that shows what you are qualified to teach. Most regional accrediting agencies require 18 semester graduate hours in the subject you wish to teach. Some accreditors (e.g. SACS) are very picky about course title designations, some aren’t. For general business, a Master’s in business may be ok, may not be.
    8) Develop a Teaching Philosophy and a sample syllabus. Do google search for ideas on what they look like, then craft your own.
    9) Take the GA job if you can.
     
  3. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    You should also scroll through the posts on this particular forum (the Online and DL Teaching forum, I mean). We have discussed this several times and the advice hasn't changed much.
     
  4. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    Sorry, I bet this has all been hashed out before on other parts of the forum, but just out of curiousity, do you need a BA to do this? Just like a profesor in college?
     
  5. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    You could probably teach with a BA at some community colleges for undergrad IT or nursing, but the ante is such that Master's Degrees are not even the norm. Many colleges want PhDs or other doctoral level degrees.

    If you are talking about teaching at military tech schools, or contractor instructor positions, that is a different matter. Experience counts a lot in this area.

    If you know that you would like to teach, then aim for getting the degree that will let you compete for a position. The pay is not great, but the rewards can be.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2012
  6. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    Our instructors in aviation with airlines are the first to get cut back during cutbacks, or so they always say. That keeps alot of guys from joining up.
     
  7. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    Do you have any leads online or something where they hire contractors or tech type of instructors?
     
  8. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    I will keep my eyes open. (Retired USAF, work at USMc HQ)
     
  9. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    You work for the Commandant of the Marine Corps? Quantico?
     
  10. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    No, at HQMC, at the Pentagon. I am a contractor.
     
  11. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    Yea. I was just up there recently, went to Pentagon City Mall, you can have that place. It was just too crowded, then again it was a Sunday. Way too many people and no seating for the food court. I love the DC area. I actually grew up in Silver Spring MD. Been a very long time since I lived there. Love the subway system there. What kind of contract work do you do? I did contract work for the Marine Corps for many years. Under the MPS, or Maritime Prepositioning Ships, even rode those ships into a war zone during desert storm. Was in Honduras, Korea, all over really. Was shipboard for around 5 years as a military equipment mechanic.
     
  12. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    I work in Transportation policy, in the systems area. We have some dealings with the Blount Island Command (BIC) at Jacksonville, FL, where the Prepo ships are now maintained.
     
  13. 29palms

    29palms New Member

    Yup, that is where I was based out of. Very familiar with BIC. You familiar with any COTR'S from there? I know a guy that shipped with me, went back in reserves, and got sent to Iraq, spearheaded the assault in Bagdad. He came back and hired on as a COTR. (Contracting Representative. DOD) I left MPF (Maritime Prepositioning Forces) back in 1995. Been a while. I went into aviation maintenance. Finished out the contract in Saipan, took a commuter job, then hired on with airlines. Our contract used to be Bendix Field Eng Corp, then it was Allied Signal Technical Services. I don't know who has them now. I hear they got a better deal now than when I shipped. More money and more time off. I still have a buddy that ships out there. He's the senior ship squadron supervisor on the MPS-3 program in Guam/Saipan.
     
  14. icebergisonfire

    icebergisonfire New Member

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