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[nhunt52]

I desire to teach at the community college level and have done so only as an adjunct, but desire a fulltime position at the community college.  I have 18 years public school experience and I am 60 years old. Is this a realistic expectation to be hired now or not do you think?

[peppergal]

I think this has been asked and answered many times.  I'm not savvy enough with the search function to find the threads I'm thinking of, though.

In a nutshell, in this market it's unlikely for you to get the kind of position you desire with only an MA.  There is a glut of PhDs on the market in pretty much every field.  Unless you are in a geographically undesirable location or in a field with a dearth of PhDs, it is unlikely to happen.

[zharkov]

I think it depends on what the master's is in.  There tend to be, for example, a lot of PhDs in English and history who you would be competing against for full time positions.  That said, you may want to consider teaching at a CC on a part time basis, that is, as an adjunct.  But keep in mind that adjunct jobs don't pay a living wage, even if you were to cobble together several of them.   I'd consider an adjunct job a very interesting part time job for somebody who retired from K12 teaching and is collecting a pension.

[larryc]

What is your field? Are you willing to move anywhere in the country?

[tinyzombie]

I think it depends on what the master's is in.  There tend to be, for example, a lot of PhDs in English and history who you would be competing against for full time positions.  That said, you may want to consider teaching at a CC on a part time basis, that is, as an adjunct.  But keep in mind that adjunct jobs don't pay a living wage, even if you were to cobble together several of them.   I'd consider an adjunct job a very interesting part time job for somebody who retired from K12 teaching and is collecting a pension.

The OP already adjuncts.

[zharkov]

I think it depends on what the master's is in.  There tend to be, for example, a lot of PhDs in English and history who you would be competing against for full time positions.  That said, you may want to consider teaching at a CC on a part time basis, that is, as an adjunct.  But keep in mind that adjunct jobs don't pay a living wage, even if you were to cobble together several of them.   I'd consider an adjunct job a very interesting part time job for somebody who retired from K12 teaching and is collecting a pension.

The OP already adjuncts.

My mind just walked away.

In that case, the best source of info is the department chair,  particularly if the OP wants to work locally.  And as mentioned, one's field and mobility are very important factors.  I would say it also depends on how much adjunct experience the OP had.  IMHO, teaching a couple of courses vs. teaching several dozen over a few years makes a difference in claiming that one can "hit the ground running."
 

[retrenchment]

I would say it also depends on how much adjunct experience the OP had.  IMHO, teaching a couple of courses vs. teaching several dozen over a few years makes a difference in claiming that one can "hit the ground running."

Too much adjuncting is a negative credential?

[zharkov]

I would say it also depends on how much adjunct experience the OP had.  IMHO, teaching a couple of courses vs. teaching several dozen over a few years makes a difference in claiming that one can "hit the ground running."

Too much adjuncting is a negative credential?

How'd you infer that from what I said?   "Hit the ground running" means to enter a situation with sufficient training and experience to do a good job from day one.  So I would consider it a strong plus if an applicant for a full time job had the equivalent of two or three years of teaching experience, even though obtained one or two courses at a time over several years.

[ellerton]

Returning to the question, I am also an adjunct of similar age, and I have given up getting a full time job. Your chances are very small unless you are in a field where they need professors, maybe nursing? Not the humanities or social sciences, for sure.
Otherwise, as with most occupations, you will be considered old and not fitting into the younger department. Your supervisor chair will be younger than you, maybe much younger, possibly.In a CC they do not care much if you have a Ph.D.  It is largely irrelevant because they only qre interested in how well you are liked by students and how many courses you will teach. I am not saying it is impossible because you luck out, but it is a long shot.

[zuzu_]

A couple of years ago, we interviewed a guy similar to you. He was relatively local, and he had lots of relevant work experience. I argued that we should interview him. I was able to persuade the rest of the committee that the only reason NOT to interview him was because of our age bias.

We brought him in for an interview and a teaching demonstration. I also called his references. There were three red flags:

1. We asked him an interview question along the lines of, "What made you decide to start teaching X?" He paused. For a long time. "Well........gosh.......gee.......let's see......I guess I don't really remember."

2. When he did his teaching demo, he used a photocopy of a typed, mimeographed document, which obviously hadn't been changed since 1979.

3. When I called his supervisor (principal), the man obviously thought highly of our applicant. However when I asked about the applicants weaknesses, he went on and on with all kinds of funny anecdotes about how this guy couldn't use technology to save his life. Of course, we were seeking a technologically savvy individual to take on online and distance learning courses.

Needless to say, this guy did not get the job, and I was on the receiving end of some major "I told you so" from the other committee members.

So my point is that your application needs to overcome these sometimes-true stereotypes about older applicants. It needs to ooze with enthusiasm and passion for the subject matter and the students. It needs to show that you are up to date with the hottest trends in teaching your subject matter. And it needs to illustrate how incredibly adept you are with all of the latest instructional technology.

[rustymuscle]

After years in corporate management I earned my MA because I wanted to teach FT. I had several "off the record" discussions with professors and department heads and all except one (a sociology professor) said in so many words, "...ain't gonna happen. Schools are looking for young FT instructors." In his official capacity one department head said, "..our school is looking for FT instructors who look like our student population."

One interesting story about a local CC as related to me by an older adjunct there was that a couple years ago the school posted a FT position. Several of the over 50 year old adjuncts applied. After several months and apparently not getting the "right" applicant, the school re-posted the opening. A newly minted MA was hired over all the older adjuncts.

I have sent CVs all over the country and heard nothing. I'm now adjunct teaching full loads across multiple CCs. I will probably send some applications when I have a bit more teaching experience, but expect little. I'm not sure this is indicative of the climate, but it seems to be quite common to give older folks the boot.

[bluezebracat]

I'm really sympathetic to older candidates--I'm in one of those 'mentor-each other' mentoring relationship with an older person (50) who is a newly minted Ph.d. 

I want this person to succeed, but one of the hurdles we've experienced has oddly been this:  when we discuss interview/self-presentation techniques (what to wear, what to bring, what to talk about, etc,) there are many times when he/she resists doing certain things because s/he feels that they're fake, and look like a sad attempt to look/act younger.  Other younger candidates see these tasks as the things you have to do to win in this system that is rigged against you.  I'm talking about: suits. Getting a haircut. Looking professional. Selling yourself verbally.

I hope that you succeed OP.  Please prove everyone wrong.  I do know someone in their 70s who got a gig, but he was also independently wealthy.

[mystictechgal]

I will be 57 this year, and, last summer, essentially threw away almost all (except for Gen Ed and non-major electives) of my previous college coursework in order to pursue a B.S. In a STEM field--an area I have done no previous work in. Last month I attended a local conference in my field, and had cause to speak with one of the presenters--a man very well-known and respected in his field. As we talked, my story came out. He immediately pulled out his business cards and told me that when I was ready for grad school, I should give him a call. He said he knew of a number of people, mostly women (I am one), who hadn't begun to pursue graduate studies until they were older--in their 40's and 50's. I laughed, told him my age and current status, and pointed out that, by the time I was graduated, I'd be well beyond that. He laughed, too, and explained that his point was that his university held the position that, just because one was older did not mean that their brains no longer worked. He also cautioned me against going without funding, and let me know that his university funds these older students, as well. I took his card, with thanks.

Will there be some bias? Sure. But, there is bias in many sectors, and, having worked in management in the corporate world for as long as I did, my suspicion is that the bias is quite possibly greater there. There is, I think, hope, at least, although, to be realistic, you might also need to be relocatable. I wish you luck.

[msparticularity]

Field matters enormously here, too. The professional fields have many middle-aged new profs (like me!) because many of us had careers in our various professions before going to grad school. Other fields--especially the ones that are already over-supplied--really do seem to screen out older candidates very early in the process in favor of the sweet young things.

[rustymuscle]

Mystictechgal, I'm glad you mentioned the corporate world as I totally agree that bias is alive and well there. When I earned my MA I had no interest in pursuing a corporate position as I figured it would be a waste of time for anyone 50+. And frankly, since my background is corporate, I really didn't want to put up with the corporate BS (as opposed to academic BS!).

Interestingly, I had this silly idea that academia might be less biased since it is where more liberal minds hang out. As mentioned in my previous post, several professors and department heads were kind enough to offer "off the record" assessment of the possibility of landing a FT teaching position: "forget about it." Overheard in a recent meeting, a department head gleefully said, "Hey, we finally were able to find an Hispanic to hire!"

I now adjunct several sessions across multiple CCs in our area. I know many complain about the adjunct situation, but honestly, I am having a blast. This is the least stressful job I've ever had!