For example, if you’ve built a successful small business from the ground up, you might be able to teach a bachelor’s level business class, even without an MBA. Keep in mind that to get hired as an adjunct professor, you have to be able to show that you have something to teach students at this level. Showing that you earned a degree is only one way to do that.
For example, if you’re an engineer or designer, patents issued to you would qualify as publications that would definitely be impressive to a department chair or hiring committee. Not all colleges or universities specifically require that you have published work, but any publications you do have can significantly increase your chances of being hired, especially if you don’t have any direct teaching experience.
For example, if you’re a lawyer, you could look at becoming an adjunct professor at a law school because you have a JD, which is the terminal degree in your field. There are exceptions if you happen to be a renowned expert or have some claim to fame in the field.
If you’re teaching a more niche course based on your personal expertise, you’ll likely be designing the course from scratch. It can help to look at syllabi and course materials from other professors who’ve taught similar courses.
As part of your teaching role, many colleges and universities require you to maintain office hours where students can meet you for one-on-one guidance and instruction. Outside of office hours, you’re generally expected to be accessible to your students through email when they have questions or concerns about course material or assignments.
Your grading responsibility includes counseling students who aren’t doing well in your class. You might also come up with extra credit projects students can do to improve their standing.
You might also find opportunities to collaborate outside your department. For example, if you’re a literature professor and you’re doing a unit on American literature during the Great Depression, you might collaborate with a history professor.
Since adjuncts are paid by the classroom hour, there’s typically no compensation for your attendance at school events. Even though your presence at various events isn’t necessarily required, being seen there can enhance your standing at the institution.
You certainly aren’t going to feel any pressure to research and write as an adjunct. If you’re only interested in teaching, there’s no reason for you to feel that you have to do this.
For example, if you have a student who’s struggling in your class, you might spend extra time tutoring them so they have a better understanding of the concepts you’re teaching. Take time to get to know your students and what drives them so they’ll get more out of your class and you can become a better teacher. This is what draws many professionals to adjunct teaching—the idea that they can help a younger generation in their field find their way.
Adjunct professors typically aren’t eligible for the perks and benefits offered to full-time, tenure-track faculty, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Because being an adjunct is part-time, if you’re starting a career entirely in academia, you’ll likely want to work as an adjunct for several colleges or universities at the same time. Some adjunct positions are offered entirely without pay. The “benefit” to these positions is essentially that you get the prestige of calling yourself an adjunct professor. [14] X Research source
By far the highest expected growth is for postsecondary teachers in nursing (22%) and health specialties (24%). At an expected rate of 13%, postsecondary teachers in engineering come in just above the overall growth rate for postsecondary teachers generally. Disciplines with the lowest expected growth rates include social sciences (6%), English language and literature (6%), business (6%), and math (6%).
Education Relevant experience Publications Presentations Honors and awards References Qualifications, licenses, or certifications Grants received Community involvement Professional associations Institutional service
For example, you might mention that you’re excited to work with the department because of a recent award or honor they’ve received. Read some of the recent publications by the department head to get some other ideas for things you might mention in your cover letter. If they don’t make the cut for the letter, you could also bring them up in an interview.
Courses you’ve developed or assisted in developing Courses you’re qualified to teach Ideas for course structure Experience mentoring students Feedback from teaching evaluations How you approach assessment and evaluate student progress
Funding history and potential Lab equipment or space requirements Potential research or industrial collaborations Contributions to your field Overall direction and focus
Larger departments are typically going to have more resources than bare-bones departments at smaller colleges and universities. But in a smaller department, you’re also likely to have closer relationships with the professors.
If you know professors in your area, talk to them first. They’ll usually be more likely to collaborate with you. You can also check course listings at local universities and send introductory emails to professors of courses where you might have something to contribute.
Many academic and trade associations also have career services departments that can help match you with opportunities that best suit your needs, education, and experience.
Speaking or presenting at conferences is another great way to get your name out there as an expert in your field. Attendees may very well come to you with information about opportunities they know of.
If you’re a working professional in your field, adjuncts who are in the same boat can be a lot of help! Their advice on things like time management can be a real lifesaver when you’re first starting out and trying to juggle all the demands on your time.
If you’re interested in teaching online classes, you’re also not limited by geography—you could potentially work for a school anywhere! Searching online databases is the easiest way to find these positions.
Even if a chair doesn’t have any positions available, an informational interview could lead them to put your name in the adjunct pool. Then, you’d be contacted when a position became available.
