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Job outlook for teaching instructors in the United States
Teaching instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected teaching instructor job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 5,400 new jobs for teaching instructors are projected over the next decade.
Teaching instructor salaries have increased 9% for teaching instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 166,855 teaching instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 38,925 active teaching instructor job openings in the US.
The average teaching instructor salary is $61,323.
Are teaching instructor jobs in demand?
Teaching instructor job and salary trends over time
Teaching instructor jobs over time
Teaching instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 166,855 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 845,291 | 0.25% |
| 2019 | 887,757 | 0.27% |
| 2018 | 293,851 | 0.09% |
| 2017 | 297,142 | 0.09% |
Average teaching instructor salary over time
Teaching instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $61,323 | $29.48 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $60,088 | $28.89 | +8.5% |
| 2023 | $55,381 | $26.63 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $53,343 | $25.65 | --5.2% |
| 2021 | $56,268 | $27.05 | +11.1% |
Teaching instructor jobs by state
Most common states for teaching instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 739,795 | 113 | 15% |
| 2 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 776 | 14% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 128 | 12% |
| 4 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 82 | 12% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 958 | 11% |
| 6 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 498 | 10% |
| 7 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 403 | 10% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 54 | 9% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 799 | 8% |
| 10 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 707 | 8% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 542 | 8% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 337 | 8% |
| 13 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 254 | 8% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 86 | 8% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 78 | 8% |
| 16 | Vermont | 623,657 | 47 | 8% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 759 | 7% |
| 18 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 98 | 7% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 50 | 7% |
| 20 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 124 | 6% |
Most common cities for teaching instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $41,154 |
Teaching Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of teaching instructor experts
Tiffin University
College of the Marshall Islands
Lehigh University
Washington University in St Louis
Wright State University Lake Campus
University of New Hampshire
Saint Mary's University Of Minnesota
University of Kentucky
SUNY College at New Paltz
University of New Orleans
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Mansfield University
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
SUNY Buffalo State
Saint Mary's College
Flagler College
University of Texas at Austin
One University Parkway
Yale University
Dr. Stephanie Opfer
Associate Professor of English, Assistant Dean of the School of Creative and Media ArtsTiffin University
Visual And Performing Arts
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Instructor?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Because of the state of higher education in our country today, teaching in higher education can be a difficult field to break into. However, most colleges and universities still hire adjunct instructors (part-time instructors). Students shouldn't be afraid to teach as an adjunct for a while to get some experience and decide if teaching is for them.
What Teaching Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Flexibility and adaptability will be the biggest skills instructors will need. The state of higher education is changing, and the 'ivory tower' is going away. Colleges and universities are starting to focus more on career-oriented programs, which include practical and application skill sets. In order to stay relevant, the focus of humanities classes like art and film should be on teaching students analysis, synthesis, and other critical-thinking skills. The content becomes less important and becomes only the vehicle for teaching these skills.
What will help Teaching Instructors increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Unfortunately, teaching as an adjunct does not pay well. Students should keep their full-time jobs and teach part-time until they find a full-time job at a college or university. That part-time teaching provides them valuable experience and connections that make them more competitive candidates for full-time positions because they'd also be competing with candidates who have PhDs. So adjunct work is more of a long-term investment rather than an immediate return. Also, even full-time teaching jobs don't pay particularly well, so they'll really need to love teaching if they want to do it full-time. If they don't like teaching as an adjunct, they won't like doing it full-time.
What general advice would you give to a Teaching Instructor?
Alexander Velasquez: My general advice to any graduate beginning their career in their field is to continue to learn and be a student of your craft. Be open to learning new things because you never know how they will improve your skills and qualifications. For example, I am currently learning video editing. I never thought I would bother to learn video editing, but it makes me a more versatile instructor being able to give students the option of doing video projects, combining and editing them, and having a digital record of what students have learned in the classroom. And given the rise of online learning, it's important nowadays to be an effective instructor both in the traditional in-person format and within the digital landscape.
What Teaching Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexander Velasquez: I think that in the next three to five years the most important skills to have—and I mean this—will be critical thinking and imagination. This may sound a bit outlandish, and maybe even a bit naive, but hear me out: Artificial intelligence is making strides to the point where papers are writing themselves with simple instructions, videos are generating themselves with simple instructions, and software is beginning to write itself; and all this has been happening within the last few years. We may begin to see that in the next three to five years, once coveted programming jobs could become automated. Now, what I'm *not* saying is don't go to school for computer programming; but what I *am* saying is that the nature of work and employment *is* changing. For example, if you and and AI are making a video, and both of you have the same script, same voiceover, and so on, the only thing separating your final product from the AI's is the way you *think and imagine*, the perspective that you have as someone who can think critically about the information and lay it out in a visually appealing manner. AI can't do that—at least not yet—because it simply spits out the information it's given. But critical thought, metalevel thinking about information, is what will be one of the most important assets to have in the coming three to five years.
What will help Teaching Instructors increase their earning potential?
Alexander Velasquez: I think everyone should look into their career fields and find out what it is that makes you more valuable in that field. Are there any certifications that you can get? What is it that you need to know or learn that companies will find valuable? Much can be learned online, so pick up as many of those skills as you can, and make sure they're on your resume or CV. I believe all those things could maximize salary potential, especially when starting out.
Dr. Floyd Beachum
Bennett Professor of Urban School LeadershipLehigh University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What Teaching Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Floyd Beachum: This advice would be for a recent graduate of a doctoral program who is interested in pursuing
a career as a faculty member at a college or university. Three quick pieces of advice I would give
include: get organized, get focused, and get moving. Get organized in terms of getting all of
their materials together as they embark upon a new position or as they look for a position. They
will need to have easy access to relevant documents, official paperwork, files, and/or work
products. Organization is the key to a better work flow. Get focused in terms of having the right
mindset to be successful as an academic. This requires that the person work diligently to
develop a research agenda in which they will have to publish articles, books, book chapters, and
present their research at academic conferences. Two major conferences in educational
leadership are the annual meeting of the University Council of Educational Administration
(UCEA) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Focus also includes
teaching various courses in educational leadership. It will take a considerable amount of time to
plan, read, coordinate, teach the course, and continuously learn while teaching. Focus also
means getting used to serving on various department, college, and/or university committees.
Service work helps evenly distribute work loads to help accomplish the goals of that college or
university. The last step, is get moving. This means that once the preliminary steps are taken,
then the person should be very purposeful as they go about doing all of the things mentioned
here. There is no time to waste because a person in the role of a new faculty member usually
has about three years before their first big review and six years before they must go up for
tenure and promotion. These decision points are high stakes because if they are productive,
then employment continues, if they are not productive, specific improvement advice can be
given and/or employment can be terminated.
Antonio Douthit-Boyd
Professor of Practice in DanceWashington University in St Louis
Dance
What will help Teaching Instructors increase their earning potential?
Antonio Douthit-Boyd: I have the opportunity to shape and mold dancers into critical thinkers, helping them understand their influence both in the classroom and in the field.
Joshua Ricker Ph.D.
Instructor of PsychologyWright State University Lake Campus
Lake Campus Science & Mathematics
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Joshua Ricker Ph.D.: When looking through psychology instructor resumes, the skills that would stand out above all others involve experience. When speaking of experience, we are looking at it through a broad scope. Clearly, having taught previous courses would put one ahead of others, especially if this includes multiple courses. For example, many universities look for instructors capable of teaching in their focus areas and courses, including research methods or statistics.
Experience in other realms of psychology will put you ahead as well. It is always advisable to try to become involved in a hands-on manner. Volunteer work in behavioral health services is a great way to learn more about psychology and develop clinical skills that will aid in teaching later on. Many places are taking in lab assistants that will give you knowledge of how psychological research is performed. All-in-all, actively participating in the world of psychology through one of these outlets will boost your resume.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Joshua Ricker Ph.D.: If there was one skill that would help you earn the most, it would be versatility. Psychology is a much broader field than most people think, which means it has the potential to open a huge variety of doors. As mentioned before, you will need experience, and that can occur in any of these subareas. If you are willing to try new things and open yourself up to multiple outlets, you make yourself a possible candidate for a nearly endless list of careers.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Joshua Ricker Ph.D.: The hard skills needed in this field are particularly dependent upon which area you find yourself in. Those who are teaching-focused will find that keeping up with your typical technical skills, such as being fluent in different computer programs, will make your life much easier. There is a good chance you will teach online at some point in your career, so having confidence in your ability to navigate various software programs is crucial.
If you find yourself involved in research or even teaching a research-related course, then it would be beneficial to establish a sound knowledge-base of statistical programs such as SPSS or R. Even if you are not doing the research yourself, you will always be relying on the interpretation of research and statistics for your courses, and these programs will eventually come in useful.
Tom Alsip
Director of Musical Theatre, Assistant ProfessorUniversity of New Hampshire
Department of Theatre and Dance
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Tom Alsip: I think the most important skills are the ones that are specific to your job area while still showing that you have a range of things that you can provide to be helpful.
If I am hiring a technical theatre instructor, I want to see that you have specific skills in one specific area (lighting, sound, technical direction) but perhaps a general knowledge of the other areas as well.
The other things that stand out are a balance of skills. I want to see that you have had training in the academic side of your area but also have hands-on skills that you learned in the professional world.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Tom Alsip: I think the skills that help the most are the skills that are specific to your area. While theatre instructors are tasked with taking on more and more diverse jobs in a department, we still want to know you have mastery in ONE area and the ability to help out in others.
Carrie Wandler
Interim Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, Associate ProfessorSaint Mary's University Of Minnesota
Online Learning Product Development
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Carrie Wandler: Effective communication both in-person and across a wide variety of platforms (in the Learning Management System, via email, via social media, via Zoom); cultural fluency; creative and critical thinking; ethical decision-making; emotional intelligence; empathy.
Eladio Bobadilla Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Kentucky
History, Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Eladio Bobadilla Ph.D.: History instructors should be able to formulate and pose thoughtful questions, write instructive and thought-provoking lesson plans, communicate clearly and effectively, and assess student work fairly and constructively. A good history instructor should also think empathetically not only about the past and the teaching material but also about the way students approach questions about the past. And of course, history instructors need to be good writers and teachers.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Eladio Bobadilla Ph.D.: In my opinion, empathy is the most important soft skill for a historian or history instructor. Teaching and writing about the past, at its core, is about being able to put oneself in a different time, place, and context and interpreting the world from that perspective. Being able to make sense of change over time also requires a great deal of empathy in order to understand who and what drove social, political, and economic change. Context, critical to history, can only be understood through empathy.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Eladio Bobadilla Ph.D.: Writing skills are essential. A good historian must be able to communicate with other specialists and non-specialists alike and to write educational, accessible, and nuanced material for public consumption.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Eladio Bobadilla Ph.D.: Increasingly, history teaching and writing includes substantial knowledge of and engagement with new technologies and tools. Having both soft and hard skills will be invaluable in the future, as historians combine old methods with new technologies. While the ability to research, to write, and to communicate the significance of context and change over time will always be the core skills needed by historians and history instructors, other skills such as mapping skills, data, and statistical analysis, and user experience knowledge will be a plus in the future and will help people with those skills earn more.
Megan Ferguson
Chair and Associate Professor of ChemistrySUNY College at New Paltz
Department of Chemistry
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Megan Ferguson: Organization and good communication skills. An on-campus interview would include a mock lecture.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Megan Ferguson: Different colleges will pay different salaries, but they will probably be pretty set. You're unlikely to get much of a difference in starting salary based on any particular skill - you're just more likely to get the job.
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Megan Ferguson: Teaching experience - if coming straight out of grad school, what TA experience and what quality TA experience does the applicant have? Has the applicant done any workshops or shown other signs of being interested in pedagogy?
Christine Day Ph.D.
Professor and ChairUniversity of New Orleans
Department of Political Science
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Christine Day Ph.D.: To be a political science instructor at the college/university level, requirement #1 is to have a Ph.D. in political science--or, to teach part-time, at least a Master's degree with at least 18 hours of graduate coursework in the subject. Beyond that, peer-reviewed publications, excellent teaching evaluations, excellent letters of recommendation, and quantitative analytical skills give you a big advantage in the academic job market.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Christine Day Ph.D.: For anyone going on the job market with a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in political science, there are many opportunities in national, state, and local government; elective office; nonprofits and political advocacy; campaign management and polling; teaching; journalism; and business (because there is much overlap between politics/government and business, with business regulations, contracting out for public services, etc.). There are further opportunities for those who go on to graduate school or law school, as many political science majors do. Soft skills like communicating effectively both orally and in writing, researching and solving problems, and civic knowledge and engagement, are emphasized in political science, and they transfer well into a variety of careers.
Clinton Young Ph.D.
Professor of History, Interim Dean of Social and Behavioral SciencesUniversity of Arkansas at Monticello
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Clinton Young Ph.D.: History graduates should be strongest when it comes to the ability to research complex issues, from crafting arguments supported with concrete factual evidence to having highly developed critical thinking and writing skills. These should all be honed in history courses students have taken in college. Students who have taken World History classes, in particular, should also have the cultural competence and sensitivity to adapt and thrive in an increasingly globalized economy with colleagues from around the world.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Clinton Young Ph.D.: Above all, history should have developed the ability to write clearly and effectively from all the papers they have had! They should also be effective oral communicators since many classes will have involved discussion and debate. And students should have the ability to work independently and manage to meet deadlines since most classes require these traits as well.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Clinton Young Ph.D.: All history students should be able to do in-depth research-not mere Googling on the Internet, but using library databases, specialized search engines for Internet archives, and possibly even archival catalogs to find material. One would certainly hope that with all the papers they have written, history graduates would have an intimate knowledge of word processing programs.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Clinton Young Ph.D.: Virtually every history student will have written one-if not many-of the dreaded assignments we call "research papers." This requires students to independently conceive of a project, determine how to approach it, do the necessary research to find evidence and data, write it up clearly, and present it to an audience. This sort of higher-level conceptualization and thinking, along with the ability to find specialized data and work independently, should allow history majors to advance to positions with great responsibility (and thus, hopefully, with great paychecks). The study of history does not just prepare students to find a job at graduation-it will prepare them for an entire career.
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Dr. Nicolle Mayo Ph.D.: Psychology professors should be keeping up-to-date on the latest research and information in their field. To show that they are staying current and have the skills to understand and contribute to their field, there should be several research publications and presentations listed on their resume. These should be current. Familiarity and regularity with statistical software, like SPSS, NVivo, and others also stands out because skills are needed to operate these programs to conduct research. Taking leading positions, like the chair of a committee, shows an instructor can take charge and lead a team of people. The type of committee an instructor leads is another important variable. If they lead a curriculum committee, that is often viewed more impressively than a student group, for example. How effective their leadership is can be further explained through their references. Finally, the number, types, and frequency of courses taught are vital to note. The more experience an instructor has with teaching a course shows expertise. Of course, how effective that instructor is at teaching the course should be taken into consideration. Usually, student evaluations, separate from a resume or CV, can elaborate on this piece. These components represent both the hard and soft skills.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Dr. Nicolle Mayo Ph.D.: Emotional intelligence is a bonus in this position, especially regarding instructor-student interactions. This represents the ability to communicate (actively listen, socialize, clearly convey information), resolve conflict, empathize, show compassion, and have strong self-awareness. These factors suggest that an instructor can teach well, address issues that arise with students and colleagues effectively, connect with others, and continue improving themselves, starting with the notion of knowing and understanding themselves. Flexibility or adaptability is extremely helpful, given the changing contexts and circumstances of a university, whether it changes in courses taught, the number of students you teach, types of students you teach, new computer programs to learn, new teaching tools, new administration, department chair leadership, budget cuts, etc. You have to be willing to adapt to this ever-changing dynamic. Creativity is a must. All students learn in different capacities, so teaching content in different ways keeps things fresh and helps students absorb the information easier. Creativity is also required in different committees. Innovative ideas to make your job more efficient or to solve problems that arise in or out of the classroom are so needed. Problem-solving is the other part of this because there are always issues that need to be solved. Whether doing this with students or on committees, this is a constant. Strong and effective leadership helps enhance the functioning of committees you operate, students you serve, and the university. This also gives you more credibility (especially if you are rising to the occasion of promotion).
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Dr. Nicolle Mayo Ph.D.: Hard/ technical skills include the expertise to run statistical software for conducting research more effectively and efficiently. Using programs, as I mentioned above (SPSS, NVivo, etc.), suggests you are staying current with conducting research. Other computer programming skills unique to the field or to teaching are also helpful. Familiarity with things like Nearpod can make teaching more interactive and accessible to students. Navigating online learning platforms (including D2L, Blackboard) and utilizing them beyond their basic capacities guides students to perform better in the classroom. Knowledge and regular use of other spoken languages also enhance communication with students who have different language backgrounds. Spanish and Chinese are becoming much more prominent for both native and foreign exchange students.
Michael Jasinski Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political ScienceUniversity of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Political Science Department
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Michael Jasinski Ph.D.: Ability to conduct research and distill it into an oral or (usually) written product. In demand in law schools, for example, but many employers value it too.
Riley Risso Coker
Director of Theatre, Director of the SPARKS Dance Company, Chapter Sponsor, Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Fraternity, Producing Director – Oklahoma Shakespearean FestivalSoutheastern Oklahoma State University
Department of Art, Communication and Theatre
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Riley Risso Coker: Professional experience where a wide variety of skills and talents are used within the scope of traditional theatrical training.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Riley Risso Coker: In my opinion, all theatre majors should have a general understanding of most jobs within a theatre. If a student is a performance major and never spends any time in the technical areas gaining insight into other areas of the theatre, they aren't really getting an entire education. Every theatre major should have at least one other area in the theatre in which they could be employed. In order to be marketable, every actor should be able to work in the box office, or costume shop, or AD/PR office. Coming out of a pandemic, theatres are looking for versatile company members.
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSUNY Buffalo State
Department of English
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: Their involvement in many kinds of experience through the English major, including the study of literature/culture and their experiences as writers and thinkers. Through involvement in opportunities such as writing tutoring, which is done via the department, publishing, and internships, our majors can be leaders in the work in which they are invested, helping to manage and guide others.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: I believe that the critical thinking skills that can only be developed through intensive, deep reading are their most valuable asset. It makes them thinkers, intellectually and emotionally strong--something we desperately need in America today. They are active and engaged citizens who really excel at being self-motivated and engaged, and that is a valuable skill set to bring to any workplace.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
Dr. Mark Fulk Ph.D.: Most of these have to do with their ability to write and think. Their critical thinking skills and self-motivation make them valuable contributors to the workplaces they join. Because they are trained to be self-motivated, they tend to need less oversight to ensure the success of the project(s) they are completing, making for less direct administrative need. They have been trained to break apart a problem and see (and solve) the problem's component parts through the process of critical thinking. Trained in a meta-discourse, they do not become outdated when one formal system in their field becomes obsolete, but they see beyond systems to larger issues.
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
David Stefancic: -Attention to detail
-Strong organizational skills
-Ability to see not only the immediate but the long-range implications and effects.
-Being able to compare times and places
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
David Stefancic: Being a storyteller.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
David Stefancic: Be flexible and open to teaching outside of your specialty.
Andrea McCook
Associate ProfessorFlagler College
Department of Visual and Performing Arts (in the School of Creative Arts and Letters)
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Andrea McCook: I think it depends on the institution. Some schools are looking for people with extensive professional credits, especially if the program is a BFA or MFA. Their primary focus tends to be on auditioning and bringing in the highest talent they can in their student body, then showcasing their work at the end of their studies for professionals in the industry. Therefore, faculty who are working professionals have strong connections in the industry and can best share their own experiences.
Other schools, like ours, which is a BA, are more interested in teaching experience, including innovations in types of classes, being student-centered, helping the student grow and develop. We don't audition students and take in whoever is accepted into our program. Therefore, we seek faculty who are committed to helping students discover and develop new skills, preparing them for a wide range of career paths. Of course, someone who also has professional experience combined with teaching is a wonderful candidate. We also want educators who understand and have experience in the industry to help provide connections and opportunities for students.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Andrea McCook: Understanding how the industry works administratively. Having familiarity with how a theatre company operates and is run, knowing how to fund raise and network, how to do marketing (whether as an artist selling one's own talents or as a company marketing to an audience). Basics of accounting couldn't hurt either.
For performers, we also advocate for teaching artistry. Many theatres have an educational wing, and teaching artists can often find positions working in theatre for young audiences.
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
James Pennebaker: A psychology degree can be an asset for a wide range of jobs, from HR and sales to positions in business, law enforcement, and health care. Most psychology majors have been trained in statistics and experimental methods and to appreciate how people think, feel, and behave. You have also been trained to think flexibly about a wide range of problems.
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
James Pennebaker: If you have basic social skills and can work with people from various backgrounds, you will be more likely to get hired, promoted, and build a stable social network at your job(s). Almost all companies and organizations value people who can write well and who can speak to their peers, management, and customers. It also helps to have a high level of energy and enthusiasm for your job. Virtually every employer I know is thrilled to find an employee who loves learning about the company and can troubleshoot problems without being asked.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Teaching Instructors?
James Pennebaker: Most jobs require a basic understanding of statistics. Even the basic working of Excel and spreadsheets is invaluable. The more you know about database management, PowerPoint, graphing, the business uses of social media, apps, and web design, the better. If you are still in school, consider researching with a faculty member to learn more about some of these issues. Also, take courses in other departments that really interest you, and that may provide skills that might help you in the kinds of jobs you might like to have. Try to find an internship or part-time job to learn more about the kinds of skills you lack and can learn.
What skills will help Teaching Instructors earn the most?
James Pennebaker: Don't think about what skills will help you earn the most. Think about the skills that will help you learn the most. The jobs that make you the happiest and challenge you the most will be the ones you will excel in. If you become an expert in a job you care about, you will earn what you need and love going to work every day. And you can't beat that.
Keir Fogarty Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ChemistryOne University Parkway
Chemistry Department
What soft skills should all Teaching Instructors possess?
Keir Fogarty Ph.D.: -Concrete evidence of oral and written communication skills
-As well as interpersonal skills, effective time management, multitasking, making effective use of limited resources
Alexandre Debs
Associate Professor and Director of Graduate StudiesYale University
Department of Political Science
What skills stand out on Teaching Instructor resumes?
Alexandre Debs: The three main methods we teach in our department are quantitative, qualitative and archival, and game theory. If you picked up top journals in political science, you would probably find that quantitative methods are used most frequently. If you looked at top graduate programs, you would find that few teach qualitative and archival methods as a field. That being said, there is excellent work in Poli Sci using qualitative and archival methods and game theory.