possible futures?

[slipstreamsurfr]

I've been doing some digging in my area on teaching positions for community as well as 4 year colleges in the two subject areas I'm most likely to want to go. I note that both areas pay about the same to adjuncts at the community colleges and alas they all seem to require at least a masters in the subject area now(if not teaching experience, which I'm not sure where to get on the information systems side). It's when you get to the 4 year colleges that some big differences come to play, and mostly I fear it's due to the number of qualified applicants going for the jobs. It would be much easier to get a job at a 4 year college in the information systems/business fields than in something like english or history.

This research tends to push me more towards the Master Science or MBA with a focus on Information Systems. Plus, the information systems focus will tend to make it easier to pick up other work to make things work out while I try to develop a living wage out of teaching. Still not sure how to pick up teaching experience while working on the masters when my college doesn't tend to employe GTA's from the master's program, they tend to use phd students for that duty.

Comments

[driia.livejournal.com]

Things to try for gaining "teaching" experience, are varied. Thinking outside the box, (inside the box is actually getting a teaching degree which is often a very few classes beyond normal and a 3-6 month practicum in the K-12)....

I would look at places that offer technical training to corporates: Learning Tree, IIT Tech, and the like.

Going the underage route with the k-12 set again with tutoring centers, or volunteer programs.

Then there is the long hard - do it yourself skill set... design and offer classes aimed at adults in the community.... Adult Ed classes are short lived and offer the ability to learn to teach as you go. You design the curriculum or workshop, and make a proposal to the local whatever where these things are done in your area. ( Where I live there are no fewer than 10 places I could approach - but I'm in a very populated area near 4 towns and on the boarder of two counties.)

Also Senior Centers, Small Business Associations, Non-profits and Unemployment centers look for "cheap" people to come in and offer classes in niche areas.

Any of these will get you some teaching experience. If they are looking for formal experience then you should approach the school advisors and ask the best approach.

Frequently (at least to my own past knowledge - it may have changed), many private schools do NOT require a teaching degree or certificate to teach in special knowledge fields.

Good Luck - and keep in mind that at the 4 year college level - they will prefer people who have or are close to finishing their PhD's. So it's something to keep in mind.