Application Resources

We have compiled a list of resources to help you become a competitive applicate for a teaching career at a Community College. This page will be updated as more resources become available.

UCLA Career Center Career Preparation Toolkit – PDF guidebook for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, featuring examples and tips for resumes, CVs, cover letters, teaching/diversity/research statements, interviews, job search, and career preparation timeline.

“7 Tips on Applying for Faculty Openings at Community Colleges”
Article, Posted on The Chronicle of Higher Education website, October 12th, 2020

“How to Land a Community College Job”
Article, Posted on Inside Higher Ed website, March 13, 2018

Examples of Statement of Teaching Philosophy – A resource from University of Michigan

Teaching Philosophy Statement Sample Rubric – for composing and evaluating a statement of teaching philosophy (University of Michigan)

Networking Tips – Tips and further resources on networking from the UCLA Career Center.

Community College FAQs – Learn more about Community College so you can talk about it more knowledgably in your application materials.

Exploring Careers at Community College Webinar Series 2020

Below are recordings from the Spring 2020 panel series hosted on the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) network. Watch these recordings to get some tips on how you can best prepare for a Community College Career!

Check out the upcoming panel series for this Fall 2020!

Introduction to Teaching at a Community College

Video 1 of 3 in a series of CIRTL Network hosted online panel discussions about teaching at community colleges.
Recorded: Thursday, January 30, 2020.

Featuring guest speakers Loni Nguyen (Mt. San Antonio College), Kathy Carrigan (Portland Community College), and Dale Fields (Los Angeles Pierce College).

Getting Hired – Tips and Strategies From Faculty on Hiring Panels

Video 2 of 3 in a series of CIRTL Network hosted online panel discussions about teaching at community colleges.
Recorded: February 27, 2020.

Featuring guest speakers Loni Nguyen (Mt. San Antonio College), Sacha Moore (Golden West College, Los Angeles Pierce College, and Coast Community College). 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Teaching at the Community College Level

Video 3 of 3 in a series of CIRTL Network hosted online panel discussions about teaching at community colleges.

Tips & Tools

How to Land a Community College Job

insidehighered.com

Every step of the application process for faculty positions can be quite different from applying for a job at a major research institution, counsels Melissa Dennihy.

Many graduate students dream of landing a tenure-track job at a prestigious research university, and advisers are also likely to have such institutions in mind when they assist graduate students in preparing job materials. But it’s possible that when a graduate student enters the job market, there may be few openings at research institutions and a far greater number at teaching-oriented institutions, including community colleges. Read More

Job Search Advice

higheredjobs.com

The higher education job market is competitive. Put your best foot forward and increase your chances of landing your next job in academe with the useful tips, advice, and job search strategies below.

See more cv, cover letter, and interviewing advice here.

What to Expect at a Community-College Interview

chroniclevitae.com

Full for vitae 2 year track

Not only are you unlikely to give a job talk during a community-college interview, you may not be asked any questions about your research at all. The fact that you do research may be impressive, but it’s not part of the faculty job description at most two-year colleges. In fact, the subject matter of your scholarship might not be particularly relevant to the entry-level courses you would be assigned to teach.

Read More