nehs Posted June 17, 2013 Share Posted June 17, 2013 I am a recent master's graduate in computer science. I work steadily in a full-time job. I had been thinking of teaching jobs for a few months. Then, I applied to various places and I finally landed a position last week. This is an adjunct position teaching just once class.The class meets every other week. Unfortunately, I forgot to ask the pay during the interview. Now, the real problem is this is a college that is 60 miles away from me. 60 miles does not sound bad but I live in NYC and travelling 5 miles here is a pain. I don't have a car either. This position is out on long island. I'm confused what to do. I haven't verbally or officially accepted anything yet but I would love to teach at a college and this is my chance. But the distance scares me. Any thoughts? How far would you guys commute for your job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted June 24, 2013 Share Posted June 24, 2013 I just took a two-year term job that's also about 60 miles from where I live, so I'll be doing that commute about four times a week. I'm not looking forward to the commute but it allows my partner to keep a job they're happy with so for our relationship I think it's worth the compromise... though I'll probably spend 25% of my salary on commuting. So twice a month? Go for it, assuming it's actually possible without a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nehs Posted June 25, 2013 Author Share Posted June 25, 2013 That helped! I'm also considering taking it up. I have to sort out the travel though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted June 26, 2013 Share Posted June 26, 2013 Yeah, I mean I wouldn't buy a car just for one class Me, I'm trying to figure out whether a one-hour commute by car (which is completely wasted time) is better than 2 hours by train (where at least I can work). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nehs Posted June 29, 2013 Author Share Posted June 29, 2013 Interesting, we have the same dilemma I wish you the best. I haven't aasked them the salary yet, hopefully, it is more than $20 per hour!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted June 30, 2013 Share Posted June 30, 2013 Most places pay a flat rate per course, not per hour. You might be able to look it up on their website. If you're doing a fresh prep it probably won't be very much if you actually calculate an hourly rate. I think the consensus is that it's only a decent wage when you're not prepping anymore (i.e., the second, third, fourth times you teach it...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psykir Posted July 3, 2013 Share Posted July 3, 2013 Me, I'm trying to figure out whether a one-hour commute by car (which is completely wasted time) is better than 2 hours by train (where at least I can work). I'd prefer a train - in order to relax BEFORE and after classes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nehs Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Most places pay a flat rate per course, not per hour. You might be able to look it up on their website. If you're doing a fresh prep it probably won't be very much if you actually calculate an hourly rate. I think the consensus is that it's only a decent wage when you're not prepping anymore (i.e., the second, third, fourth times you teach it...). Do you think I should just ask how much they pay? I will take a look at the website. This is a first time prep for me, but I'm excited that this is a great oppurtunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiroshiman Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 (edited) Of course you should ask about the pay. Are you nuts? When I taught adjunct I received about $4200 per semester class, plus benefits. Some schools pay as little as $600 per class. You should not feel timid about being informed of your renumeration. Edited July 10, 2013 by hiroshiman mandarin.orange and nehs 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danieleWrites Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Call up the personnel department and ask what the rate is for an adjunct. It's a flat, semester rate based on credit hour. Some places base it on credit hour *and* enrollment. I had a friend that adjuncted and only got paid the full semester rate if she had 75% or greater enrollment. They cut her pay when students dropped courses. Adjuncting is great for people who want to teach a little on the side, but it's pretty much the gangrene of academia. mandarin.orange 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandarin.orange Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Of course you should ask about the pay. Are you nuts? When I taught adjunct I received about $4200 per semester class, plus benefits. Some schools pay as little as $600 per class. You should not feel timid about being informed of your renumeration. Agreed. I just found out my teaching pay for next year will be about $2500 less than expected/led to believe/the fellowship I've been on, and am about to do everything I can to raise hell. As diplomatically as possible, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmm Posted July 14, 2013 Share Posted July 14, 2013 When I taught a class as an adjunct, I got around $3500/class per quarter, 30-ish students. No benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewin Posted July 16, 2013 Share Posted July 16, 2013 You guys need a union. I'm teaching a section of 160 students and it's $8000/semester + benefits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nehs Posted July 18, 2013 Author Share Posted July 18, 2013 Thanks guys...I'm still debating if I should just ask the chair who did my interview or ask the HR/Personnel department. Also, they have not contacted me for any paperwork yet. How soon/late do they do this? or should I take initiative and ask. hiroshiman -- makes sense...i did not know how it works in academia... danielewrites -- fantastic idea! they would probably also know the relations between enrolment and pay, if any relation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nehs Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 (edited) I am the OP here. Thanks for all your advice. I had written about my dilemma and received great insight into my specific situation. I was super excited about the opportunity. However I have decided to turn down the offer. They have still not told me the pay which is a deal-breaker for me to decide on taking up vs non - taking up.i asked a lot of people in payroll, then HR, the dept chair and no one is telling me my hourly rate. Seriously, they got to be kidding me! I am not motivated to go teach on a Sat morning 7 am 60 miles away without this information. More over I feel I took up the job offer in an impulse decision and now I'm wary of the travel and ttime investment. Any suggestions on the email that I have to send out? Edited August 21, 2013 by nehs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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