How to break into college teaching

Question

I am very interested in using my MBA and 20 years of IT experience to teach at the college level. We have several universities nearby.

How do I break into this field?

Do I need to show I regularly perform research or write?

Is an MBA enough to get a foot in the door? Ideally, I would like to transition and do this full-time.

Answer 1

As a college student, I think it's awesome that you want to break into teaching...we love professors who are excited about their subject.

The responsibilities that you have as a professor totally depend on where you are teaching--my dad is a business exec. and used to teach at a community college--his only responsibility was teaching his class.  At a four year school you might be expected to write or do research.  I know my academic adviser writes textbooks, does research, and teaches.

I'm positive you could teach with an MBA at a community college...as for other schools, I think you would just have to see what their policies are.  At my school everyone has to have a PhD to teach, but the school my best friend attends only requires some type of master's.

As for breaking into the field, I would just start checking university websites...a lot of them post their job opportunities there.  You might also try to make contacts at the schools close to you.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I suggest that you take some course work in Methods of Teaching and the like.  I had professors in college trying to teach me how to teach and they couldn't teach themselves!  This could give you a leg up with your MBA...

Answer 3

Universities prefer a doctorate, however one in my area will hire people with an masters in education if it's a field they have a hard time finding professors.  A technical college on the other hand will hire people with MBA's.