The weekly parade of doctors continues.
Up today:
– Shrink
– Osteoporosis Doc

Yesterday, I received an official inquiry from a college to resume my old role — adjuncting.  (For those who don’t know, an adjunct are the disposables of the college world.  We’re good enough to teach classes because of our master degrees, not good enough to hire full-time.  Fairly easy to replace, we tend to garner all the classes that the full-time professors do not want to take- which is typically the bottom of the barrel.  However, we’re expected to eat less, smell nice, and jump through fiery hoops while being paid roughly $5 per hour average for “unpaid” training and class preparation.

For the past five or six years prior to the House, I was an online adjunct professor.  It can seem like a dream job, for some.  Working from home is a type of American fantasy, I think.  People tend to believe that working from home, full time, allows tons of leisure time, setting own hours, and working in comfy PJs all day.  Working from home means never being late, setting own hours, and make-up becomes an option – not a necessity.

That might be the case for some fantasy job, but not for an adjunct.   Being an adjunct means, in a short, short, short version:

* inconstant paychecks.  Adjunct profs are not full time.  A class is – not – guaranteed no matter how much time or effort is invested.  This means to retain classes and continue with paychecks, adjuncts have to be the star ponies – willing to jump through any fiery hoop.

* students are in different time zones, some even overseas.  Typically. adjuncts are on call 24/7.

*  becoming skilled at creating info-graphics, online videos, and other forms of media with little to no training, assistance, or monetary compensation from the college.

*  not only does government expectations need to be met, the college also tends to set it’s own set of rehashed topics, boring meetings, and brainless criteria.

*  retention.  Adjuncts who do not hand-feed students throughout the term often find themselves without a job next term.  Some colleges and students tend to forget that the students — are adult learners. —  They are accountable for their actions.

This is not kindergarten.

Of course, being a composition instructor, adult students then to enter the class with one of three mindsets or some sort of combination.

*  “I hate writing.”
—  This is usually brought about by a lack of self-confidence or/and high school English teachers.  These people set themselves up for failure.

*  “I’m awesome at writing.  This course will be a breeze.”
—  This is over confidence and/or brought about by high school English teachers.  I like to think of these people  like the American Idol hopefuls.  Sometimes, there’s a gem in the rough.  Mostly, they’re poor tone-deaf souls who where lied to by people who care for them. — and where to frightened to tell them the truth.

*  “This class sucks.  I’ll never need it for my career.”
—  These people seriously need a reality check.  I don’t care if the plan is to earn a degree in medical billing, nursing, criminal justice – whatever.  Communication is a key role in any profession – even if it doesn’t require writing.  The connections between communications (written and verbal) play a centralized and highly important part of brain development, social interactions, and can even derail or slow mental degeneration.
(Please do not get me started on this –)

From my personal observations, students also tend to work full time, be single parents, and start college sold on the American Dream that a two-year degree will solve all of their issues and make life a happier place.  There’s a solid drama-free future awaiting.  Adjuncts are painted to “help light the way.”

In truth, any adjunct worth her salt may believe she’s a guidepost in that mythical idealism.  However, an adjunct is really more of a guardian.  An adjunct who has the best interest of the students at heart — will not — be an absent parent, someone who illuminates the sky and hides the stars.

Rather, a good adjunct – one who is passionate and not disillusioned – will provide her best and expect the best to be returned.

Degrees are NOT given.  Grades are NOT given.  They’re earned.

College is NOT a right or a privilege —  and never will be, despite what may happen politically —  Do NOT get me started on the free 2-year degree topic.  I’ll never shut up.

Because of the instability, I became an adjunct of adjuncts.  Often taking over 300 students, my task was to return papers (fully noted, rubric filled) within 48h, contact students, develop graphics, and make my class as appealing and pretty as possible.  Heavens help me if the online classroom was plain.  Just like at a fast food restaurant, bright colors sell – and hide the pink slime, greasy fries, and watered down soda.

This is the type of life that promoted my anorexia.
This is the type of environment that drove me to perfectionism.
This is the “career” that has taken the ability to sleep 8 hours in a row.

This is the type of job I find myself returning to…
…. and it scares the crap out of me.

I keep telling myself –
Just one class – maybe two.  Certainly not the 7+ I had before.  I have bills.  I need money.  Out of all my options, resuming an adjunct role would keep me from driving in winter, provide time for ongoing doctor appointments, and a couple of my old task masters seemed to have missed me.  The pay would certainly be better than most starting positions with companies – providing I could actually find one who needed someone like me.

Still – —  I’m fearful.
Physically, mentally, and emotionally, this so-called dream job gouged permanent scars upon my psyche.  I am not and may never be fully recovered —  but there is precious little else available right now.

I don’t want to return… but everything happens for a BSing reason, right?