Tips for getting a teaching job at the college level?
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If you have the time and desire to get a PhD, you may want to do so--money won't have to be your primary concern if you get a PhD. I am pursuing a PhD, and while it is in the sciences, we get a pretty decent stipend (over $20,000 for most science programs), tuition waivers, health insurance, and dental insurance. Basically, it is like a job. In my program, we also get other benefits like a printing allowance, and they are giving us laptops as well. You will normally have to be a TA. I know someone who had a Masters in English who was teaching 6 courses at a community college making $15,000 a year--that's just exploitive.
You may want to consider all this. Granted, not everyone gets tuition and stipend support, but most people do. It also depends on the area. You are going to have a really hard time finding a teaching job at any level of higher ed because you are competing with people who have PhDs. While they may only require you to have a Masters to teach at a CC, if a PhD applies for the same job (because THEIR job market is almost completely saturated).well, you know what will probably happen. So, I'd look into this. See what kind of deals you can get to go to grad school again--and decide if you think it is worth the 5 year (maybe more) investment. Good luck!
I would suggest avoiding proprietary schools. They are not on par with community colleges.
Your best bet is to work with high school students in a college or career counseling capacity and use that to branch into community colleges.
Many have partnership programs that allow you to work at both (and be paid by both) the community college and high school system, working with outgoing seniors and incoming freshmen. Once you have done that, you have experience teaching.
Good luck!
You are going to have to look for a college that accepts your level of experience and education. Some colleges will accept a Master's degree, some won't. Either way, if you really want to do this, you need to get some work expetrience under your belt. I would also advise you to look into being a teaching assistant and getting your PhD at the same school, which would help cover the cost. I don't know much more about it, but I have looked, too. Also, public ed (k-12) pays better, so don't expect a huge paycheck if you do find that job, but you might consider becoming a school counselor to get some experience under your belt and then going back for your PhD. Many districts will help pay the costs.
I wouldn't think you would have a problem getting a teaching position at a community college, particularly with enrollment up. If you are really interested in getting your Ph.D., look into some programs, I am working on my PhD and my tuition is paid for and I get a 20,000 salary each year. Plus I will get teaching experience - 2nd years begin as teaching assistants and then 3rd - 5th year we are teaching our own classes.
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