Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

Anyone taught at a COMMUNITY COLLEGE in the U.S.?

I've taught at colleges/universities in Japan and Korea, and nearly have a second MA in Education-TESL.

What would be my prospects for teaching at just any ol' random community college in the United States? I heard many unis are part-time positions? Is that the norm? Or are there any fulltime positions where you earn a year salary?

What other kind of conditions should I expect? What kind of salaries or hourly wages do they usually offer?

[Nozka]

I currently teach writing at a cc in California. It's one of two teaching jobs I have. CA has the largest cc system in the US, and you're right - around here part-time (adjunct) positions are the norm. My department for example has 20 something part-timers and 5-6 full time. This of course is the case despite the fact that the state has mandated that 75% of cc instructors be full-time.
I don't want to get stuck on my soap box here. Suffice it to say that there are quite a few adjunct positions around, and if you locate yourself between several CCs you could hire on for multiple contracts and do ok as long as you're single, frugal, and don't mind not having health insurance, benefits, or job security. This is what 1000s of instructors already do as they wait and apply to the occasional full-time position which pops up.
Hourly wages range from $30 to $80 bucks an hour, depending on where you work. You are only allowed to work a certain number of hours at any school. Full time positions pay quite well; I know full timers who make more than university profs without all the research and publishing. But like I said, you're chances are extremely slim unless you have something extra special to offer, or you've been around a particular school for a while.
At any rate, except for the feeling of being used and underpaid in respect to the full-time staff, teaching at a cc is pretty good. You have lots of freedom, few management hassles, and an awesome mix of students. Community college students represent an amazing cross section of people, and that includes all demographics - race, culture, socio-economic status, age - we've got everything.
Like everything else, it's got its pros and cons. I wouldn't move back to the states for a part-time gig though, but if you find yourself stuck here and you've finished that MA, go for it.

For CA jobs check out cccregistry.org

Peace,
Nozka