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StarzGuy

(254 posts)
5. I mistakenly thought that I would be offered a full time assignment.
Mon Apr 13, 2015, 08:01 PM
Apr 2015

I had been working full time as a high school science teacher when I received my second masters degree and wanted to teach at a higher education institution. I applied all over the place and could only find adjunct positions. So, I accepted one at two different colleges at different times. The first department chair told me that even though there was a need to another full time faculty in my field the college would not allow her to hire anyone because of the cost of health insurance and other benefits like retirement. Another time I was talking to a full time faculty member at another institution. I discussed my status as an adjunct. He told me that I'd have to keep adjucting for anywhere between 10 and 20 years before their adjunct professors would have a chance for a full time tenure position because usually the only time there were openings is when someone retired.

I found teaching as adjunct in my field way more satisfying than teaching high school science. After 20+ years I'd had enough of the public high school but kept on working full time there and as adjunct for some time until I got terribly sick and had to retire on disability. Never did get an offer for full time tenure position at the college I was an adjunct professor. No benefits. And being adjunct professor is a lot of work for basically little pay and no benefits.

My mistake was waiting too long into my career to switch to college professorship. I strongly recommend that you find a full time tenured position at the start of your career. If you can't find one and having a similar desire you should acquire an adjunct professorship at the earliest time in your professional career. That way you will have the necessary time to land that full position.

This is solely based on my personal experiences. Your experiences will probably be different

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