Doug Hill ⋅ Kearneysville , WV PC Construction ⋅ 20 years experience

Arthur,

I agree with Christian Berry. That Ph.D is the breakthrough you need. And I would recommend two things; get the Ed.D and that with your Masters in the field will be what perks them up. I said two things, the second is you have to be "local" so if you can broaden your search and be willing to relocate, you may even have a chance with the Masters. I am an adjunct professor and I use the pay as "pocket change" to buy birthday and Christmas presents. And it keeps me active in my field. Plus I like doing it. But I couldn't imagine it as a primary income.

Christian Berry ⋅ Melbourne , FL Lockheed Martin ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Arthur,

Man, do I feel your pain. Knowing how an adjunct career exemplifies the epitome of subsistence pay (let alone benefits), I simply recommend to get out of teaching... at least for a while (see, http://adjunct.chronicle.com/new-documentary-about-adjuncts/). How long have you been teaching, as an adjunct?

In today's market, the philosophy of "diversity" is the clarion call of many institutions. Working in the private sector might do wonders for getting hired for that elusive full-time gig. Diversify your experience. Have you worked in the business and psychology fields outside of teaching?

I taught as an adjunct for 7 years. Getting "that" position where you have to work "half as less" to get "twice as much" either requires a PhD (for teaching in 4 year institutions) or the combination of getting in good with the chair+hiring committee and having a solid resume of performing what you are teaching outside of teaching institutions.

Sorry. After teaching as an adjunct for 7 years, getting rave reviews from students and faculty alike, I finally decided that I was ultimately waiting for another teacher's expiration date, and, quite frankly, my expiration date might come sooner.

So I started submitting my resume for different positions that, in some cases, I felt I had no chance in taco bell. But, thanks be to Jesus, seriously, I got that opportunity, and boy... what a difference.

Taste the fruit Arthur. Teaching will always be there; chairs and committee members will change. If they don't want you, their loss.

Very Respectfully,
Chris B.

Steven Sachs ⋅ Washougal , WA Los Angeles Community College District ⋅ 37 years experience

Hi, Arthur.

If you're a member of the American Psychological Association (if you're not, you should join), you can check the listings in the monthly "Monitor" magazine. They list teaching and other jobs all over the country that you might not see advertised elsewhere.

There is also a LinkedIn group (you are in Linkedin.com, aren't you? It's free.) called, "The Teaching Professor." You should join that.

There is also a website called, "psychologyjobs.com," that might be helpful. I found this one using a Google search, which could also prove fruitful for you.

Finally, over my almost 40 years of psychology teaching at numerous universities and colleges, both public and private, one of the major things I have seen help someone get a job is that the hiring committee knows (and likes) you. So working or even volunteering for a department where you hope to snag a full-time job can serve you well.

Good luck with everything!

. . . Dr. Steve Sachs

Duke Khadan Sawh ⋅ Keyport , NJ CECOM, Department of Defense ⋅ 25 years experience

Hi Arthur, Suggest you look up the websites of local universities where job vacancies are posted and/or preferably call the HR offices at these institutions and you may be pleasantly suprised. LinkedIn is also a great medium to expose your well written resume.

Best wishes.

Duke

Joshuah Chrisman ⋅ New York , NY NYC Department of Parks and Recreation ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi Arthur, I would suggest that you try two different things: first, look at job postings for the position that you want and make sure that you meet the qualifications. I know that many full-time college teaching jobs require a PhD. The other thing that I would recommend is that you use the community feature at the top of the page to locate professors and just ask them outright in a one-on-one message. Find out what they have to say on the subject. I hope that this is helpful, Josh.