Dear Mr. Walberg: Do you have any advice for someone who is looking for a teaching position in postsecondary education? I have a master's degree in chemistry/education and extensive experience teaching science at the secondary level. I have the 18 semester hours of graduate-level credits in my subject area that most Alabama junior colleges require. I would appreciate any help you could offer.- D.W., Decatur, Ala.
Dear D.W.: Your search for employment is not unlike any other qualified individual looking for work. You must find out where the job you want is, learn who influences hiring decisions and convince those people that you would be an asset to their organization or institution. The harder you work, the better the chances are that you will find yourself in the right place at the right time.It appears that you have the credentials necessary. You no doubt have an adequate resume, and have completed applications at educational institutions in your area. Without meeting you in person, I can only assume that you present yourself well and interview effectively.
If you have no objection to relocating, you could follow The New York Times' educational career opportunities listings and check your public library for all publications that list opportunities in postsecondary education in the manner that The Chronicle of Higher Education does for colleges and universities.
On a local level, increase your advertising through networking, and consider getting involved in community education programs for adults and/or children, either on a paid or volunteer basis. This will help get you known as an educator and increase your networking contacts.
I would also get busy networking at your local junior-college and community-college level. It's one thing to complete applications, but another thing altogether to get known by department heads who ultimately make staffing decisions or recommendations.
Quite often when an opening occurs it's filled by a qualified individual already known and possibly singled out. Find out who those department heads are and ask for information interviews. You'll get valuable career direction and networking contacts at the top.
Network with everyone you can, in or out of education. Don't take any chances by ruling out any network contact.