I Have a Teaching Opportunity - Need Advice from College Teachers with Experience

Background: UDC-CC (University of the District of Columbia - Community College) is putting together a residential property management course through its Workforce Development division. They hope to pilot the course this May. During the pilot period this will be a non-credit class. Instead, successful completion of the curriculum leads to the National Apartment Leasing Professional designation. Depending on public interest in the program, UDC-CC may scoop it up and offer it later for credit, possibly as part of a degree.

Question: I have been asked to teach the course (classroom based, option of days or evenings). Even though the course is not for credit, will the teaching experience with UDC-CC be a "plus" for me later when applying for other adjunct opportunities, either in class or online? I'm flattered that I was asked. Now I'm trying to determine whether it will help open doors down the road.

Thank you all in advance.

 

Yes, for sure, all teaching will help you - even guesting into other people's classes! If nothing else, you get smoother, more experienced, handle 'surprises' better and stay warmed up for the next opportunity.

 

YOU BET - I used my experience teaching doctors and nurses how to use medical software (my corporate position) as my first teaching experience to get a job as a sub at a local tech school. That element was only about 10-15% of my job but I capitalized on it.

 

Everyone, thank you for the feedback. It sounds like you are all confirming what I thought. I'm really excited about it, I just have to figure out where in the world I'm going to find the time to teach twice a week, work FT, keep up with my studies, and maybe spend a few hours with my family. :0)

 

WOO WOO! This sounds like a big-time opportunity not just to teach, but to create something. You have no idea where else this might lead. Go for it! And congratulations. :smile:

 

That's almost my life story. I served on the apprenticeship team through my chef's association. At that time, our apprenticeship was work-based, but we knew college level learning was growing for culinary, so we approached the local CC to offer the classroom portion. I served as the liaison for several months (volunteer) and taught a few of the courses for the first semester. The school then hired me to be the facilitator of the program (I was still working as a chef in industry doing both), and eventually I became the department chair (full time job, left industry to take it).

Anytime you're looking at applied sciences, they take industry people and bring them in (as opposed to arts and sciences where they take academic people only). This could be the back door to a long and enjoyable career. Even after I got married and started a family, I hung out and taught part time. That relationship lasted 18 years!

 

Thank you, Rich. Much appreciated.

 

Very impressive. I really don't want to teach full time, at least not now. I have a very good career doing what I'm doing. Teaching is more of a passion and an outlet for me, but I will be extremely grateful for whatever doors might be opened along the way.

 

I like how your mind works!