What am I doing wrong?

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by kirkhenderson123, Jan 19, 2014.

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  1. kirkhenderson123

    kirkhenderson123 New Member

    Hey everyone. I earned an MA in General Psychology from University of the Rockies in 2011 specifically for the purpose of teaching online. I've been reading the posts here for years so I'm aware that it's a journey that takes time. I taught for University of Phoenix for a year, then moved to Louisiana where I taught at the local community college. I have applied for many, many online psychology instructor positions over the past three years with not one favorable response. I have never been asked to interview for anything for which I have applied, except the two schools on ground I mentioned. I also have an MS in Counseling. So I don't know if it is my resume, or what it could possibly be. I understand the need to persevere but I want to make sure I am not doing something wrong. Could any of you please help me? Look at at my resume? I have entered the doctorate program at University of the Cumberlands (D. Ed. in Counselor Education at University of the Cumberlands). I hope that a doctorate might help me compete. What are your thoughts? Thanks so much!

    Kirk Henderson
     
  2. Delta

    Delta Active Member

    I think there is a lot of underemployment so people are picking up dl gigs.
     
  3. graymatter

    graymatter Member

    Be patient. I facilitated for UOP for more than 1 year without hearing back from others. Then I added 3 schools in 1 year. Then I was up to 9 and had to drop 2 because it was just insane.

    It seems that psych programs are now asking for both teaching experience and clinical experience. If you've got your foot in the door with UOP, that'll help down the road as you'll have experience. You didn't mention clinical work but I'd encourage you to have that "practical" education as well. I facilitate for 2 schools that require psych faculty to maintain an active license.
     
  4. AV8R

    AV8R Active Member

    It's the lousy economy we're in. Things are so bad right now that it's not uncommon for each DL teaching gig to get hundreds of applicants.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I've got a narrower field then psychology, so there haven't been as many opportunities to apply for, but I've not found a job this past year either. I have 18 years experience teaching in my field at the college level. I moved to a new state and am looking for both on the ground or online. I've been to only one interview. I'm adding a masters (though my specific field doesn't require it) but it will broaden the departments I can apply to teach my specialty from.
    I think people who have a teaching job should hang onto it, because there are long lines waiting of people ready to snatch it up!

    *EDIT* In my opinion, I'd hold off on the doctorate, because that makes you much more expensive to hire (not for adjunct, but for full time).
     
  6. Hadashi no Gen

    Hadashi no Gen New Member

    Good choice on the University of the Cumberlands program. It's probably one of the more affordable Counselor Ed. doctorates that I've seen out there... and it looks like they're moving toward CACREP accreditation, which is a plus.

    Here's some advice, based on what I know from having many friends who have done and are currently doing doctorates in Counselor Ed. Teaching experience during the doctoral program is VERY IMPORTANT. I took a look at their curriculum, and I did not notice anything about teaching courses or supervising masters-level counseling students. These two things will be very important for when you look for teaching jobs after you finish your doctorate. If it's not possible to coordinate that through U of C, it may be possible to find a local counseling program to teach in... and the fact that you are in a doc program may help get you in the door. The more teaching experience, the better.

    Also, as someone pointed out... try your best to continue doing some sort of clinical work. At least part time. This will not only help your learning, but graduate counseling programs want to know that their instructors know what they are talking about from practical points of view. It's also better for the students to have your real-world experience in the classroom.

    Finally, join your national professional organizations (ACA, ACES, AMHCA, etc)... go to conferences... present... and hob nob. I have gone to the past four ACA national conferences, and at least half of the attendees are students. There are also faculty from every corner of the profession from all around the world in attendance, and endless opportunities to network and meet like-minded people in your field. I know quite a few people who found jobs by going to conferences. And as a student... if you volunteer at the ACA Conference you will be able to have your registration cut in half for your first year, and can go for free for your second/third years as a volunteer.

    Good luck... and thanks for the info about this program! Do you mind if I PM you?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 19, 2014
  7. kirkhenderson123

    kirkhenderson123 New Member

    Thanks Hadashi, yes pleas PM me. I am registering with my LPC board and will be counseling soon. That should help. Great info!
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    You can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone with a PhD seeking adjunct teaching opportunities. Your best bets:

    Get a doctorate.

    Be in a field in demand. (I've been offered to teach a project management course by a prominent university based on my experience, MBA, and PMP. The PhD just made it easier for them to hire me.)

    Know someone where you want to teach. Seriously. Get to know people and their needs. You'd be surprised what might pop up if you're in conversation with people instead of applying cold for jobs.
     
  9. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    This is good advice. I've found that LinkedIn groups can be a good way to do this, if one participates regularly, one can become recognized there fairly quickly.
     
  10. scaredrain

    scaredrain Member

    I cannot speak for other universities, but where I currently work full time (large online for profit), we are moving towards hiring faculty with PhD's first. We are flooded with applicants for most of our positions, due to the bad economy. Enrollment is somewhat down so we have not really hired many adjuncts as we have in past and have cut the number of sections we were running (from 8 concurrent sessions to 5).

    Reviewing your post, I see that you have degrees in psychology and counseling. Do you have any practical experience in both fields? If so make sure that the experience is documented on your resume/cv. I had a hard time myself, when I first started teaching online, it took many applications before I was hired by 3 universities simultaneously, but it took a combination of contacting colleagues, networking, and filling out many applications.
     
  11. kirkhenderson123

    kirkhenderson123 New Member

    Thanks Scaredrain. I had not thought of LinkedIn for this purpose. I believe in networking but not sure exactly where masters-level applicants are most hired right now. Thanks!
     

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