What is an Adjunct Professor Job?
An adjunct professor is a part-time professor who teaches at a college or university. This position is typically reserved for individuals who have expertise in a specific subject area and are looking to gain experience in the teaching field. Adjunct professors are hired on a contractual basis and are not considered full-time faculty members. They are often employed to teach specific courses or fill in for full-time faculty members who are on sabbatical or leave.
What Usually Do in This Position?
As an adjunct professor, your primary responsibility is to teach courses in your area of expertise. You will create lesson plans, deliver lectures, grade assignments and exams, and provide guidance to your students. You may also be responsible for holding office hours and answering questions from your students outside of class time. Additionally, adjunct professors may be involved in research or other academic activities related to their subject area.
Top 5 Skills for Position
- Expertise in your subject area
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to engage students
- Patience and empathy
- Ability to manage time effectively
How to Become This Type of Specialist
To become an adjunct professor, you typically need a master's degree in your subject area. In some cases, a bachelor's degree may be sufficient, but most colleges and universities prefer to hire adjunct professors with advanced degrees. Additionally, it is important to have some teaching experience, whether through a formal teaching program or through other related activities such as tutoring or mentoring. Finally, networking is key in this field. Building relationships with professors and administrators at colleges and universities can help you find opportunities to teach as an adjunct professor.
Average Salary
The average salary for an adjunct professor varies depending on the subject area and the location of the college or university. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for postsecondary teachers, including adjunct professors, was $30.47 as of May 2020. However, many adjunct professors are only paid for the hours they spend in the classroom and do not receive benefits or other compensation.
Roles and Types
There are many different roles and types of adjunct professors. Some adjunct professors are hired to teach one course per semester, while others may teach multiple courses or teach year-round. Some are hired to fill in for a full-time professor who is on leave, while others are hired to teach a specific course that is not offered by a full-time faculty member. Additionally, there are different types of adjunct professors, including those who teach online courses and those who teach in-person courses.
Locations with the Most Popular Jobs in USA
The location of adjunct professor jobs varies depending on the subject area and the availability of positions. However, some of the most popular locations for adjunct professor jobs in the United States include California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. These states have large populations and many colleges and universities, which creates more opportunities for adjunct professors.
What Are the Typical Tools?
As an adjunct professor, you will typically need to use a variety of tools to teach your courses effectively. These may include presentation software such as PowerPoint or Prezi, learning management systems such as Blackboard or Canvas, and online research databases such as JSTOR or ProQuest. Additionally, you may use textbooks and other course materials to supplement your lectures and assignments.
In Conclusion
Becoming an adjunct professor can be a rewarding way to share your expertise and gain experience in the teaching field. However, it is important to have the right qualifications and skills, as well as the ability to manage your time effectively. By networking with professors and administrators and building relationships in your field, you can increase your chances of finding opportunities to teach as an adjunct professor.