A relevant degree should be a degree in the same field as or a field closely adjacent to the subject you intend to teach. For example, if you have a degree in archaeology, you may be fit to teach in either anthropology or history departments. You likely won’t be considered for a teaching position in the business school, though. An increased rate of people pursuing advanced degrees means that an increased number of PhDs are now working at the community college level. If you just have your Master’s, understand that you may start out with a single class or a part-time appointment. If you are planning on teaching part-time while pursuing your PhD, you will generally have to be in the candidacy portion of your doctorate, rather than the student portion.
If you are in the process of getting your degree, ask about applying for a teacher’s aid (TA) position to get teaching experience. TAs often lead sections or groups in a larger course. Tutoring, developing and leading training programs at an office, or peer mentoring can also serve as relevant points for teaching experience on a resume.
Many universities offer these certificates through their educational colleges. You can often take the courses as part of your credit package. If you are already out of school, there are a number of these courses available online through different universities’ continuing education programs.
If you don’t have time to observe classes, think about other ways you can make connections. Offer internships for community college students at your workplace, for example. This allows you to coordinate with your department and network before you apply for a job. If you are currently getting your degree, think about taking on a student research assistant for a project. This gives you a chance to work with your local community college and build your mentorship skills.
These jobs are typically low pay, but they allow you to demonstrate your teaching skills to the college at which you want to teach. You can also get a feel for the larger class sizes and diverse student populations at a community college. Teaching experience is particularly critical for community colleges. In a university, professors generally teach 2-3 classes a term and are expected to do a certain amount of research. In a community college, you can expect to teach around 5 classes a term with little to no billable research hours.
If you don’t see any positions listed in your field with the colleges at which you want to teach, reach out to the department head. They can let you know if they are expecting a vacancy any time soon.
Pay particular attention to wording as you go through the required materials. If a post asks for a resume, send a 1-2 page resume, not your whole academic CV. If a post asks for your CV, don’t just give them a 1 page resume. If materials are listed as optional, include them if you can. For example, if syllabi from previous courses are listed as optional, try to include at least one. If, however, the materials are not requested, do not include them with your application.
Use your cover letter as a means to show enthusiasm for teaching in your field. This is the place to explain why you specifically want to work in a community college. For example, you could say, “After I spent a year Teaching for an introductory biology course, I found an honest passion for helping students discover their own interest in science. " Often, this will involve creating an online profile that includes your personal information as well as your previous work and educational experience. Once you’ve filled out the profile, you will be able to upload your materials as supporting documents.
Be sure to research the college extensively before your interview. Look up your panel members and read through their course materials, as well as any publications they have. For your committee interview, be prepared to give clear, concise answers about your experience and why you want to teach at a community college. For your teaching demonstration, ask well in advance if you will be assigned a topic or if you must choose your own. Make sure you know the time frame for the demo, as well.
Your committee will likely be around 5 people, and may contain 1-2 administrators or instructors from outside your department. Try to avoid too much jargon if people from outside your field are sitting in. This process will likely seem rehearsed because your committee members had to clear all questions with HR, and ask the same questions to every candidate. Don’t take their lack of enthusiasm for the process as a lack of enthusiasm for you.
Your committee wants to see what you will really be like in the classroom, so be prepared for a bit of roleplay. Use technology or any other interactive learning components you normally use. Don’t say, “I usually do this. ” Instead, show them. Just be sure to check and make sure that the tools you need, such as a computer or models, will be available for your demo. Remember that this is an exercise in teaching, not in your research. Don’t approach it like a conference, where you give a paper. Your committee members are your students during this time. Show them what experience you offer to your students.
Keep in contact with your search committee chair during this time, but don’t pester them. One or two friendly emails reminding the committee of your enthusiasm and reinforcing your availability for the position should be enough.
