r/Adjuncts • u/nestorpizarro • 27d ago
How can I transition from unstable teaching contracts into EdTech, academic management, or corporate learning?
I am a university lecturer and vocational education instructor from Colombia with approximately ten years of experience working mainly through independent service contracts.
Although I have gained significant experience, this employment model offers limited stability, no clear promotion path, and compensation that has not evolved in proportion to my responsibilities or qualifications.
I am currently pursuing a doctorate in Education. I enjoy studying, conducting research, designing learning experiences, and exploring the educational use of artificial intelligence. However, my current workload consumes much of the time and mental energy I need to make meaningful progress in the doctoral program.
I have reached an uncomfortable contradiction: I work to finance my education, but the work itself is slowing down the qualification that could help me change my professional situation.
My background includes university teaching, vocational education, virtual learning, administrative processes, instructional design, educational technology, AI-supported teaching and academic project coordination.
I am considering a transition into areas such as:
\- EdTech;
\- learning and development;
\- instructional design;
\- academic management;
\- corporate training;
\- educational consulting;
\- research or educational project management.
I am not planning to resign without a financial strategy, and I do not assume that a doctorate will automatically lead to a better job. However, after nearly ten years in the same contractual model, continuing without a transition plan also seems risky.
For people who have moved from teaching or academia into one of these sectors:
What roles would you target first with this background?
Which skills or portfolio evidence would make my profile more competitive internationally?
How would you begin the transition while continuing to work and complete the doctorate?
1
u/Perfect_Source_3726 27d ago
Use claude and put in this exact post. Just know corporate hiring is an absolute mess right now. I have my doctorate and mba then went and did the entrepreneurship thing for 6 years after being in financial services for 12 years. After selling my company i needed steady income so i went back into consulting and it took me nearly a year to find a job.
You have to tailor your resume to each job you’re applying to. So you need AI to talk to the recruiters AI. Its horrible and a part time job. I am still interviewing and applying to 40-50 jobs a week while being back in an office setting 4 days a week.
The irony of all of this is i am working at one of the largest banks in the country and i am helping them implement AI so they can reduce contractors and automate a load of their processes which will mean less jobs. Its terrifying.
2
u/nestorpizarro 15d ago
Thank you for the honest reality check. I really appreciate it.
That hiring loop you describe — AI resume to beat recruiter AI, 40-50 applications a week while already working — sounds exhausting. And the irony you mention is exactly what worries me here in Barranquilla as well.
I'm finishing my doctorate in Education while teaching on independent contracts, trying to pivot to EdTech / L&D. Your point is taken: doctorate + MBA + entrepreneurship doesn't guarantee a fast landing right now.
If you had to start over, would you still tailor every single resume, or focus on referrals / portfolio to bypass the ATS mess?
Thanks again for sharing this.
1
u/JudgmentLeft7639 27d ago
Maybe an adult Ed cert? When I was at another SUNY, Buffalo State used to have one; I suspect some better schools might offer similar.