{"id":158222,"date":"2026-02-17T10:35:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T10:35:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158222\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T10:35:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T10:35:11","slug":"the-life-of-an-adjunct-professor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/158222\/","title":{"rendered":"The life of an Adjunct Professor"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sophia Noya | Staff Writer<\/p>\n

What\u2019s in a name? As far as the student body is concerned, a professor is a professor\u2013 all educators qualified enough to teach at a University level.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But next time you get an email from your professor, squint down at that e-signature. The multi-verse of Professors is bigger than what you can imagine: there are Professors, Assistant Teaching Professors, Courtesy Professors, Associate Professors, Visiting Assistant Professors and the list goes on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then, there\u2019s something called an Adjunct Professor. According to FIU, over 500 Adjunct Faculty members teach each semester<\/a>. But what exactly is an Adjunct Professor?<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference between an Adjunct and a full-time position is that an Adjunct contract is per semester. It\u2019s a part-time position,\u201d explained Victoria Carballo<\/a>, an Adjunct professor who teaches ceramics.\u00a0<\/p>\n

She continues: \u201cFull-time professors have a workload that is divided into teaching, services, and research. An adjunct contract only asks for teaching.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

For an Art professor like Carballo, services and research may include attending portfolio reviews and experimenting with new mediums, both of which she does voluntarily rather than for salary.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The U.S. Department of Labor does not offer an official definition<\/a> for what \u201cpart-time employment\u201d entails, only that it is less work than a full-time position. For an Adjunct, it means teaching fewer days a week, and a contract that guarantees a job only until the end of a semester.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn some cases, it can be unstable<\/a>,\u201d Carballo said, \u201cI\u2019m very lucky that I have the trust of my department. They take care to make sure I have classes so that I get paid.\u201d<\/p>\n

The biggest difference between an Adjunct and a full-time professor is, undoubtedly, the gap in financial compensation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It is typical to pay Adjunct Professors either a flat rate for the entire semester or per course taught. Compare with other colleges such as the University of Central Florida<\/a> or Florida State University<\/a>, which also offer their Adjuncts similar compensation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This unorthodox income often leaves Adjuncts in need of a second job.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m also the lab manager for the ceramics studio,\u201d Carballo explained, \u201cThat position is hourly pay, more than an Adjunct. Between my two jobs, my salary is comparable to a full-time position.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year will be Carballo\u2019s fourth working as an Adjunct at FIU. In addition to her experience, she holds a Master\u2019s Degree in Ceramics from Florida Atlantic University.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While most in her position would expect a promotion, she\u2019s not so certain.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not expecting a promotion. The opening of a full-time position has to be voted on and approved by the Dean of the college,\u201d she said, \u201cSo, unless they open a full-time ceramics position, I will not be promoted to full-time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite this, Carballo remains positive and appreciative of her position as an Adjunct.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI do feel like what I do is rewarding. I\u2019m lucky enough to be working in an area I\u2019m passionate about,\u201d she said, \u201cI\u2019ve always wanted to be a teacher, and I love being able to make a difference in the lives of my students.\u201d<\/p>\n

She concludes, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter to me that it\u2019s not a full-time position. I\u2019m super grateful for my situation. I really love my job.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Post Author<\/p>\n

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