Job Discussion Forums

[teach05]

Hi Everyone,

Please advice on this situation; a friend of mine and I have been offered a position as a Adjunct. We will be teaching at HCT and paid monthly. Would someone discuss the pros and cons of working at HCT as an adjuct faculity and if you would recommend this sort of position for individuals who have children?


Thanks,


teach05

[George R Stewart]

Do your job. Don't expect any loyalty as they will drop you as soon as 'numbers' don't arrive. It's a good place to pick up experience. Go to as many professional development sessions as you can. Enjoy the crazy management style. Look out for acronyms and abbreviations. There's some now, it's a Gen Ed DF Sem 1 student being accosted by an AC about her/his CC. Oh my, when the chair finds out, there's going to be a big to-do at the DAT.

[veralynn]

I did it. I didn't enjoy it. The hourly rate whittles down to nothing after all the prep, meetings, marking etc etc etc. There's SO much bureaucracy and I felt I was treated no different to full-timers e.g. being told on a Thursday morning that I would be covering that afternoon for a colleague who was off sick. I have kids too and it wasn't easy. I work full-time now at a different institution and actually find that much easier!

[teach05]

Thank you for your comments. I have a bit more thinking to do.

[veiledsentiments]

What to keep in mind is that this is an adjunct job... with all that entails. That always means an hourly pay with no benefits, no pay for prep or anything else outside the contact hours. They have adopted the horrid US system totally.

So, compare it with the other hourly pay jobs that are available to you. Hourly pay is always contact hours only... I'd go with whatever place pays the highest hourly pay.

VS

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

ad�junct �noun

1. something added to another thing but not essential to it.

2. a person associated with lesser status, rank, authority, etc., in some duty or service; assistant.

3. a person working at an institution, as a college or university, without having full or permanent status: My lawyer works two nights a week as an adjunct, teaching business law at the college.

Not to bring anybody down. Jes' a quick reference from Dictionary.com...

Sometimes, reality is harsh.

NCTBA

[teach05]

One more question: do you think it would be wise to accept an adjunct position just to stay in the HCT system? I have been with HCT as a full-time faculty and due to personal reasons, I will need to relocate to another college-which by the way isn't hiring for any full-time positions at the moment so I was offered an adjunct position. I figured it may be better to just decline the adjunct position and hold out for a full-time position in the upcoming future. Any suggestions? I have heard-only rumor that once you resign-HCT does not consider you for future positions. Can someone comment on this?

[eha]

Don't understand: if you were with HCT full-time, aren't you in a better position than anyone on here to find out what adjunct positions are like? Can't you just ask someone who's been adjunct faculty at your institution?

[rosyanna]

[i][quote]Any suggestions? I have heard-only rumor that once you resign-HCT does not consider you for future positions. Can someone comment on this?[/i][/quote]
There are plenty of people all over the college system who have resigned, gone elsewhere [UK, NZ, Canada, Aus] for a year or two, then come back to work again for HCT.

[veiledsentiments]

mouse5

Very tough call... I too know of people who have left and been rehired... but also know of people who tried to be rehired and were not accepted. I guess it depends on whether someone in the system does or doesn't like you.

The question for you is that if you accept an adjunct position, would that lock you into it. They have you at a bargain, so would they offer you full-time even if it were possible? It likely depends on the management at that particular branch whether they want to be fair about it.

If you have housing and other benefits through a spouse or family now, I think I would take the adjunct just to keep my foot in the door. If they hire another teacher with full benefits without making an offer to you, then you will have to decide to leave or not.

VS

[teach05]

In regards to the following:

"Don't understand: if you were with HCT full-time, aren't you in a better position than anyone on here to find out what adjunct positions are like? Can't you just ask someone who's been adjunct faculty at your institution?"

Yes, I have inquired with the individuals who are currently working at our local college and each person that I spoke with had a different take on their working conditions. One individuals found it to be fine another said it wasn't worth it as you end up working more than what you would be paid for and another one just seemed unhappy but didn't won't to create any problems, so this is why I want to hear from others.


VS: my thoughts were pretty much as you mentioned. If I decide to accept an adjuct position what reasons would they have to hire me full-time and have to pay for all the perks that full-time faculty receive? Yet, I also thought what better way to show my skills? Having my foot in the door might be the best thing. So, you can see why I am not sure which route to take.

Thank you for your comments and suggestions.


teach05

[saluki]

If you have been offered an adjunct position in a particular college, maybe you could have a chat with other adjuncts there. That would give you a more job specific idea of what is expected and how likely you would be to be considered for a full time post.