If you have accepted an adjunct or other temporary contract, you want to be sure that you are heading into that role with strategies to maximize the experience. Here are three ways to make the most of your temporary contract.
Update and review your CV
As you update your CV with your new position, evaluate the document as a whole and not just the teaching experience and contract position sections. Make updates as needed, and note where your CV could be more robust. Consider the opportunities you could pursue in your new temporary role to bulk up those areas.
Seize every opportunity
There will be many opportunities in your new role as you prepare new courses or revamp previously taught ones. What new areas of research do these courses suggest? Are there possibilities for collaboration with other scholars at your new institution? You could also reach out to organizations in your new area about the possibility of giving invited talks. Use this time to explore opportunities for university or professional service in your new setting.
Network, network, network
Don’t be afraid to participate in the professional and social circles in your new environment. Consider submitting a paper at a new regional conference, or organizing a panel at a larger-scale conference with new colleagues. Use this opportunity to expand your professional network.
New roles and new institutions bring fresh opportunities. If you regularly review and evaluate your CV and recognize opportunities for professional growth, you will be on your way to turning your temporary position into permanent accomplishments.
