Teach at the college level

Often the school will be looking for someone to teach specific subject matter in an existing curriculum. Typically, you will find job postings seeking an adjunct professor, which would be your job title. However, you may have an idea of your own for a course, a lecture, or a presentation that is not part of an existing curriculum. In this case, your best path may be to cultivate relationships with appropriate department heads and deans at a school, so you can convince them of the value of your idea.

The first step is to determine what subject(s) you want to teach. Then, as with any job search, monitor online job listings. If there are schools you have a particular interest in, pick up the phone or send a polite email to the dean or department head for the academic subjects that interest you. Explain concisely what you’re looking for, and outline your qualifications.

More than likely, you will be asked to include a curriculum vitae (CV), rather than a traditional resume. Be sure to include your current job status, and, most importantly, emphasize situations in which you served as a mentor, trainer, coach, or inspired others to achieve better performance. For each position you apply to, prepare a custom cover letter that emphasizes your experience as mentor/trainer/coach, expand upon why you want to teach at the college level, and any special qualifications you bring such as foreign language skills, distance learning skills, or communications/public speaking courses you have taken. You may also be asked to outline your teaching philosophy, and prepare a diversity statement.

The greater the level of education you have, the greater the chances are of you being hired. You’ll most probably need at least a master’s to teach at a university, however, there is a possibility of getting a position with a community college with a bachelor’s degree.

A quick way to explore mentorship is online, where sites such as StudentMentor.org are ready to connect you with students who can use your experience, commitment, patience, and wisdom. Alternatively, you can contact the dean of students or a similar title at any college or university. Some schools even will pay you to be a mentor because your work helps to increase student retention and success.

Any proposed new course at a university has to follow a prescribed process to be approved. Typically, such proposals are developed by existing faculty. If you are an outsider, you will have to adapt to this process. Your first step is determining who the appropriate department leadership is, and persuading them to look at your proposal.

Adjunct professors have very little job security. They work from contract-to-contract so that there is no paid leave. They can choose not to apply to work from one semester/term to another, but with no assurance they will be rehired.