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Retreat!

Given the economy these days, my fellow classmates and I (all graduating this coming June) are a worried about our prospects in the "real world" --- and so of course sticking around in "academia" starts to sound like a pretty appealing option....

personally, I've been in school too long, and I'd rather deliver pizza than start a PhD program.... but teaching sounds like it could be an option, if i only knew where to start... my whole job-hunt focus has been based on architecture firms....

any clues on how to break into the academy?

 
Jan 8, 09 11:18 pm
Peter Normand

I don’t know about all Schools but many public universities are in a hiring freeze and U of I Urbana Champaign will be laying-off some of its faculty. Academic careers are by no means immune to the rescission, especially with the states losing money from lower returns on income taxes, and many public and private university endowments losing money recently in the stock market, you won’t find many opportunities teaching.

Jan 11, 09 7:08 pm  · 
 · 
ARCHCareersGuide.com

Do not necessarily focus on institutions with accredited programs. You can start teaching at a community college. The key is to begin teaching.

Also, visit the ACSA website -- www.acsa-arch.org to look at faculty position descriptions as a long term goal. Discuss this with your faculty now and what they did.

Maybe you start now by teaching something that for which you are an expert to other students. Sponsor a workshop on the topic of choice. Develop the curriculum for the workshop and present it accordingly.

Talk to other students about their faculty -- what do they like or not like. I do not know of any but I am sure there are books on "how to teach." Does you school have an Education college? If so, talk to them about teaching.

Also, do not give up on the economy - simply expand the possibilities on who might want your skills.

Jan 15, 09 7:09 pm  · 
 · 
n400

publish

Jan 27, 09 9:28 am  · 
 · 
citizen

I think the Doc's advice is sound, given that competition for teaching jobs in accredited programs are likely to become even more competitive than jobs in firms.

Junior colleges and university extension programs frequently offer courses in design, architecture, preservation, drawing, you name it. My hunch is that this is a bigger pool of potential gigs than university-based architecture programs.

Jan 27, 09 5:40 pm  · 
 · 
vado retro

there are no teaching jobs and there will be none for a quite awhile. universities are freezing new hires. if you can get a job teaching at the community college with a phd you'll be lucky. phd's are a racket for the most part and students are beginning to realize it.

Jan 27, 09 6:57 pm  · 
 · 
snook_dude

Doctor Architect.....just doesn't sound right to us old school guys...

Jan 27, 09 7:14 pm  · 
 · 
ARCHCareersGuide.com

It would be against state law to be Dr. Architect; it is Dr. Architecture.

Thanks for your concern.

Jan 27, 09 7:19 pm  · 
 · 
dsc_arch

I am on a ciriculum committee for a local JC and we debate what thr program how the program can best suit their audience.

Some JCs tend to only want licenced architects teaching their associate and or certificate programs.

1. since these programs are small they want an licenced architect to give them credibility.

2. what they teach is not Architecture with an "A".

a. it is more drafting, plan reading, intro to revit. very nuts and bolts.

b. We tend to hire some of these grads. They do hit a wall with their exposure to great buildings.

3. the pay is little say 3,000 per course taught.

I wish you the best...

Jan 27, 09 9:08 pm  · 
 · 
citizen

Dr. Planning here...

Jan 27, 09 9:09 pm  · 
 · 
Carl Douglas (agfa8x)

universities are tightening belts too, and part-time hires are the first to be cut. The best way in is by asking an old professor if s/he needs a teaching assistant, or guest critic.

Jan 27, 09 10:09 pm  · 
 · 

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