I love teaching, but now I'm graduating...

[gr1277]

I am currently an English (composition) MA student in my last semester. I will finish my thesis in May. Then, I will be moving to another state with my partner as he pursues his MA. I have been teaching two sections of college composition (each semester) to freshman students for the last six semesters. To be clear, I am the instructor of record. I handle all of the class planning/assignment creation/grading/etc. Except for the textbook and the focus on writing genres, I have freedom to teach the class like I want. Now, as I'm preparing to graduate, I am sad that I won't be teaching anymore. My partner has already been accepted to University of California-San Diego, and he is still waiting to hear back from UCLA and Tulane University (in New Orleans). I've been looking into job prospects, but it seems like any university teaching job (even adjuncts/lecturers) require a PhD. I did find a listing for writing instructors at SDSU that only listed an MA as the minimum requirement, but no one has responded to my inquiry emails. 

 

So, my main concern is that I don't want to stop teaching. I enjoy it. Any advise? Is it difficult to get university teaching jobs with an MA? 

 

Note: I plan to pursue a PhD eventually. When my SO finishes his MA, we'll apply together. 

[victorydance]

Look at community colleges. 

[ChuckCL]

I agree, take a look at community colleges. It's extremely unlikely to find a position at a university without a PhD (I taught as an instructor at a university for a year, as did my best friend, but we both knew the people in those departments very well, so we got very lucky). I've had friends teach at community colleges -- whether during a gap year between MA and PhD, or as they were trying to decide what exactly they wanted to do with their careers -- and absolutely loved it. 

[tspier2]

Is he set on UCSD? For what it's worth, I haven't seen any available positions in English at Delgado Community College here in New Orleans. At the same rate, you could always look into the requirements at the other nearby schools (Loyola, Xavier, UNO) or even substitute teach in the local districts. A teaching certificate is not required; however, you get a higher daily rate if you have it.

[gr1277]

Is he set on UCSD? For what it's worth, I haven't seen any available positions in English at Delgado Community College here in New Orleans. At the same rate, you could always look into the requirements at the other nearby schools (Loyola, Xavier, UNO) or even substitute teach in the local districts. A teaching certificate is not required; however, you get a higher daily rate if you have it.

 

At this point, it seems like UCSD is the most likely option. So, we'll probably end up in San Diego. Thanks for the tips about New Orleans. It's all up in the air right now. I think I'm actually more obsessed about hearing back from schools than he is! 

 

I'm excited that I will finally be finishing my MA. However, I didn't realize that I will be losing so much. Graduating means that I don't have a teaching job anymore or a close relationship within a department. I spend time in my office at the English department and I have access to supportive faculty/colleagues now, but that's all ending soon. I guess I didn't think about it before now. I'm just looking for some perspective from people who have been here before. The main issue is that I'm taking a break between my MA and PhD. 

 

Also, I have to consider the possibility of getting a non-teaching job. I have a BS in Business Management and English and an MA in English, so I could probably try to get a job outside of academia. I'm torn. I love teaching, but the job prospects for an applicant with an MA don't look good. 

[tspier2]

At this point, it seems like UCSD is the most likely option. So, we'll probably end up in San Diego. Thanks for the tips about New Orleans. It's all up in the air right now. I think I'm actually more obsessed about hearing back from schools than he is! 

 

I'm excited that I will finally be finishing my MA. However, I didn't realize that I will be losing so much. Graduating means that I don't have a teaching job anymore or a close relationship within a department. I spend time in my office at the English department and I have access to supportive faculty/colleagues now, but that's all ending soon. I guess I didn't think about it before now. I'm just looking for some perspective from people who have been here before. The main issue is that I'm taking a break between my MA and PhD. 

 

Also, I have to consider the possibility of getting a non-teaching job. I have a BS in Business Management and English and an MA in English, so I could probably try to get a job outside of academia. I'm torn. I love teaching, but the job prospects for an applicant with an MA don't look good. 

 

How about something like public relations for a company? One of my friends did her undergrad. in Professional Writing, and that's where she ended up. In fact, you might even be a better candidate with the business background. In any case, I've never been in this boat and will leave it to others to advise you specifically. Good luck to you and him!

[juilletmercredi]

You could also look at doing other aspects of college student affairs, like academic advising, working in the writing center, or working in student affairs.

 

Southwestern Community College is looking for a tenure-track professor of English and they require an MA: https://www.higheredjobs.com/region/details.cfm?JobCode=176025168&Title=Assistant%20Professor%20English

[gr1277]

Thanks for the advice! I think I'll try to apply for teaching positions at community colleges. When I was looking up schools, I was overlooking community colleges before. We only have a few community colleges in my current state, so I didn't think about how many there would be in other states/cities.