John Soares, author of Writing College Textbook Supplements
Inside Higher Ed recently featured an excellent post on what you need to do to win work as a part-time, adjunct college instructor. Turns out it’s written by Gregory Zobel, an adjunct instructor at College of the Redwoods in the beautiful coastal region of Eureka/Arcata in rural northern California, a region I lived in from 2001-2005.
Here’s a taste of what Gregory says:
Pay attention to the job application: Actually read what the application and job description say. Often, I find myself cruising over details like my students cruise over due dates. If a document mentions teaching diverse students, then your cover letter or introductory e-mail had best address that issue. Equally important is paying rapt attention to the materials you send out: Proof them, edit them, revise them. Meet the deadline. Sure, this is nothing new. However, it is amazing how many people still do not attend to details.
I’ve written previously about being a part-time community college instructor, and I still have many friends that teach college part-time.
I know it can be very frustrating; it was for me, and that’s why I eventually left for a new career writing college textbook supplements. However, when I first started teaching I was very grateful for the opportunity, and it did pay the rent, feed my belly, and fill the gas tank. And I still miss the classroom very much.
Those of you that are looking for part-time teaching work would do well to heed Gregory’s advice.
