Non-Tenure Track Teaching Positions
Non-Tenure Track Teaching is potentially another avenue worth exploring when considering careers inside the academy. You may find that positions, such as adjunct or part-time instructor, can include teaching at a state university, private two or four year -college, or community college. For those who want to consider tenure-track positions in the future, a Visiting Assistant Professor position, typically for 1 or 2 years, can allow you to build your teaching experience perhaps at a different type of institution.
Adjunct or Part-Time Instructing
Adjunct and part-time teaching suits many people for different reasons. Some people choose adjunct or part-time positions to gain teaching experience before searching for a tenure track position. Others just love to teach and following this career path provides them with the greatest opportunity to fulfill their passion. A number of issues need to be considered when considering an adjunct or part-time position: salary disparity between adjunct/part-time teachers and tenure-track counterparts as well as a decrease in the amount of benefits offered (i.e. retirement planning, etc.).
Community and Two-Year Colleges
In contrast to the grant-writing, paper-publishing world of the tenure-track position, many people prefer to teach permanently in community colleges. The emphasis at these institutions is on teaching. One advantage is that the settings are generally smaller and more intimate.
Recommended Reading:
Recommended Reading:
The following articles are from the Chronicle of Higher Education:
Why I Like Being a Contract Faculty Member by Nancy Fasnacht, on the perks of adjunct teaching
Finding Useful Adjunct Jobs by Paige Reynolds, includes practical advice for considering adjunct teaching
Not What I Had In Mind by Christine Rauchfuss Gray, on finding herself teaching at a community college
Don’t bother Me, I’m Just visiting by Paul Martin Lester, offers an interesting perspective on being a visiting assistant professor.