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Get An Adjunct Job with A Proactive Approach: Success Story from Mark Grant

Angela

Transitioning from a successful career in project management to teaching college can be both exciting and challenging. After earning his doctorate, Mark Grant took a proactive approach to starting his academic career. He shares his success story and how he incorporates his career-worth of field experiences into the classroom.

Watch the full podcast with Mark Grant.

Cold Calls to Decision-Makers

Mark’s proactive mindset began with direct outreach. He didn’t wait for job postings; instead, he reached out to deans at local colleges. Drawing from his experience in sales and cold calls, Mark knew the importance of making a personal connection. He shares, “I’ve never had a problem doing cold calls. “I’ve had many different roles. One of them was as a business development person. So I’m used to calling up existing customers and saying, ‘We’ve got something new for you. Can I talk to you about it?’” Mark applied this same approach to his job search.

Crafting an Organizational Behavior Class

Mark’s next move was strategic. Leveraging his PhD in organizational behavior, he decided to create an organizational behavior class. Not just any class—a full-fledged 300-level course complete with assignments, case studies, and carefully chosen textbooks. Armed with this well-prepared course, Mark confidently introduced himself as “Dr. Grant” when contacting colleges. He recalls, “I’d call everybody up and say, ‘This is Dr. Grant. I’m looking for a job as an adjunct. Could I come in and speak with you for 20 minutes about the course I developed?’” To his surprise, nobody hung up on him. Instead, they welcomed him for interviews.

Real-World Application in the Classroom

Mark’s teaching philosophy centers on real-world application. He emphasizes critical thinking by connecting learning objectives to practical scenarios. In his classes, students don’t just memorize facts; they learn how to apply knowledge in real-world settings. Mark sets clear expectations, providing students with a roadmap for success. His course expectations page outlines what he does and doesn’t expect, along with the rationale behind each expectation. By imparting his day-to-day expertise, Mark ensures that his students gain valuable skills beyond the classroom.

Mark Grant’s proactive approach serves as an inspiration for aspiring college professors. Whether you’re an adjunct or transitioning from another field, take a page from Mark’s playbook: reach out directly, create something valuable, and apply real-world experiences in your teaching. By doing so, you’ll not only land your first job but also make a lasting impact on your students’ education.

Remember, as Mark says, “Nobody hung up on me.” So go ahead—make that call and create your own path in academia.

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Angela

Angela Britcher, M.A., is a dynamic content marketing professional and storyteller who transforms complex ideas into easily digestible bites for audiences. She teaches communications, media studies, and writing, and she is a skilled instructional designer, creating engaging online learning experiences for colleges and corporate training. Angela produces and hosts The Babb Group's DigitalEDU Dialogues podcast.
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