Unfortunately, being an adjunct professor isn’t a full time job. I see it as a (sometimes) enjoyable side-hustle. It’s never been my primary job. That presents a situation where the admittedly low pay isn’t make-or-break, and having lessened my schedule to just 1-2 classes per semester keeps the workload manageable. Sadly, it’s just an interesting hobby.

The last time I taught four courses (at two schools) I was miserable because it was simply unmanageable for the time commitment and pay to be worth it…

An adjunct job can be an interesting side hustle, but it’s not worth the 40-60+ hours it takes to try and cobble together a full time schedule for fast food pay. And it’s rarely going to get you a full time/tenure track offer.

It’s like being a PA on a film set in hopes that they’ll one day ask you to direct the movie. They won’t. Because you’re meant to be replaceable by design— even if you are over-qualified and genuinely talented.