Difficult to find work after graduation?

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by Paidagogos, Dec 5, 2011.

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  1. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    I am getting a self-designed degree from Western New Mexico University. It is a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with concentrations in History and English - 18 hours in each subject. I also majored in History as an undergrad.

    My passion is history, so after I graduate, ideally, I would like to get a job as a history teacher, hopefully at a community college, either online or B&M.

    When I first was looking into online schools, I was careful to make sure that the course prefixes (i.e. HIS & ENG) matched up in the areas I want to teach. From what I can tell, most positions, including my home state of NC, seem to only require a master's and 18 hours in the subject you are applying for.

    My question is: is it difficult to get a job as an adjunct after graduating? Does anyone with these types of degrees have experience with this? I don't think I am shooting for the stars here, but I would like to know that I will be able to use my degree after I finish, at least as a part-time adjunct.

    I am really enjoying the freedom of completing my degree online, I would just like to know it's not a waste of time.

    Most of NC is rural, and it has a growing community college system that often has openings. I don't believe competition is as fierce as more urban areas or cities. I am being too hopeful in thinking I will luck into one of these positions?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 5, 2011
  2. rmm0484

    rmm0484 Member

    I just Googled Adjunct History Adjunct Jobs and got this:

    Adjunct History Faculty Jobs | Simply Hired

    http://adjunctprofessoronline.com/aggregator/categories/2

    http://www.higheredjobs.com/faculty/search.cfm?JobCat=139

    You should be able to land an adjunct gig in history online, at least. In some other disciplines such as mine (logistics), experience is a big plus, but in History, you should be GTG with your Master's.

    BTW - your login name is too cute by half!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 5, 2011
  3. cdhale

    cdhale Member

    I found online gigs harder to get at first than on the ground jobs. After graduating with my MAT in English in May 2007, I started (In NC, no less) in the Faculty in Training Program at Guilford Tecnical Community College, where I got 2 classes per semester on site. I picked up another one at Rockingham the following spring. So I had 3 classes in the spring, after 2 the previous fall. During that Spring, I picked up my first online class, which would not have happened had I not had some experience in the classroom. Once my foot was in the door, it moved along pretty quickly. I have never not had online classes since then, and started working full time at a community college in Texas in January 2009.

    It is not easy to get started. There are lots of folks with MAs out there looking for these jobs. That doesn't mean you won't find one (or more), but just that you have to be diligent and agressive. Send out application after application. Call if necessary. Sometimes just putting your name in front of the hiring person, if you time it right, helps.

    I once contacted a school where I had been on the faculty adjunct pool for over a year. I just checked in to see if they needed anything from me, and the hiring manager just happened to have a new section opening. Since she had me on the phone, guess who got it class?

    You will certainly be qualified with the MA, and with 18 hrs in both English and History, both subjects are available. I don't think you should expect anyone to come beating down your door, though. You will have to be the one who is proactive.
     
  4. Princeofska

    Princeofska New Member

    If you are only looking to adjunct, you might be OK with just a masters. It is getting harder and harder to find a full time CC job in history with just a masters. I have been to three interviews this semester and I have most of my PhD done, I am competing against many PhDs for those same community college jobs. In each case, I actually knew a person who got a second finalist interview, they always had their PhD completed. So it is a pretty tough market out there for full time CC jobs. However, it is often possible to squeeze into a CC as an adjunct, especially if you network well. I actually had a much easier time getting online positions than ground positions. UoP and DeVry hired me right after my masters was completed. (Actually, I taught for DeVry before my masters was completed...). Other schools slowly came along. I am still working on adding more schools so I can drop some of the lower paying classes. But, without student loans and a stipend (because I am still getting a PhD right now) There is no way I could live on what I make adjuncting, and I am pretty active. I think it is rare for a history teacher to be able to get enough classes to have a decent living online. So you will have to throw adjuncting on ground in. Even then you are not going to have health insurance or make a really great annual salary - nor will you have job security. That is probably the most stressful thing about it all.
     
  5. Paidagogos

    Paidagogos Member

    Cdhale, I have looked at that very same program at GTCC, and I hope to start there after I finish my 18 hours in history. I live not too far from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, so I will most likely be applying to jobs in these areas. It's good to hear from someone that actually went through the program. In your estimation, how was teaching for GTCC in their faculty in training program?

    Sounds like you have been successful! I know getting a full-time position is not easy. Congratulations!

    Before I graduate, I will try to work hard to get my foot in the door. Before then, I will probably try to volunteer for a professor, either at a community college, or a university to get some university teaching experience so that obtaining a job will be easier after I graduate.

    Sounds like the key is just being able to get your foot in the door. It's good to know it's not impossible with an online masters degree.

    In my mind, I believe getting a composite degree like the one I am pursuing will only make me more marketable, and have more options, as I will be able to teach more classes in different areas. I realize that no one will be "beating down [my] door," but I will remain hopeful that I will at least have a job! =)
     
  6. LinfieldADP

    LinfieldADP member

    It all depends on the scenario and location. Some schools and areas have a lower teacher to student ratio and hence will be looking for more teachers. Others either have a surplus or will be laying off their best teachers - their youngest. Needless to say, don't be discouraged but I wouldn't be locked down to a specific location. Be flexible as teaching (like many professions now) is very competitive. Be willing to relocate.
     

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