Teach a Class at Your Local Community College

Are you bored? Are you stuck in a rut? Would you like an opportunity to network with new people while instructing them in something you love to do? Consider teaching at your local community college. Community colleges often offer continuing education, non-credit courses in a myriad of subjects.

The nearest community college in Binghamton, New York where I currently live is Broome Community College, or BCC. Every spring, summer, and fall, BCC sends out its continuing education catalog, free of charge. Often times, one can find these free catalogs in grocery stores, retail stores and restaurants.

Many people in my area take advantage of these continuing education courses at the community college. Over the years I have taken computer software courses, antiques courses and craft courses there. These courses aren't long. Typically they run two nights for two hours each. Most cost under $50. Craft courses and longer courses cost more because you must pay for construction materials and/or text books.

Always after taking one of these enjoyable courses at Broome Community College, I have wished that I could teach a class on a subject I know a lot about and love-antique and collectible jewelry. I just never felt I had enough credentials.

One of my dear friends teaches an excellent course at Broome Community College (I've taken it) called, "The Art of Researching Your Antiques and Collectibles." She is a certified appraiser of fine and decorative arts. She also writes for AC. You can visit her profile page here.

While I am slowly pursuing similar credentials as I find the funds to do so, but it will be two or three more years before I become certified. So I have been intimidated to teach about jewelry at the community college without proper credentials.

Then I saw the advertisement in the latest Broome Community College continuing education catalog. It asked in big, bold print, "Would you like to teach?" Yes, I would!

The BCC advertisement continued: "If you have an avocation or special skill you don't see offered and enjoy teaching, we want to hear from you."

It was like a siren's song! I picked up the phone and called the Broome Community College continuing education department. They sent me an application to fill out which included a section on what the title of my suggested class would be and what I would be covering. It also included a section on why I think I'm qualified to teach such a course.

Don't be intimidated by the community college application. When it asked my qualifications for teaching about jewelry, I wrote: "I have been an antiques dealer for 10 years and I love old jewelry!" Basically, if you know your subject matter well, be it cooking, playing drums, rocket science, etc. you are qualified to teach a continuing education class.

Within a week after I sent the application back, I was called in for an interview and got the go ahead to teach my class!

The title of my continuing education class at Broome Community College is, "What's in Your Jewelry Box?" It will cover materials, time periods for jewelry styles and current valuation. It will cover fine and costume jewelry of the 20^th century. Can you tell I'm excited?

Teaching a continuing education class at a community college will help build your resume. It wilI polish your public speaking skills. It will also provide you with a nice paycheck for very little time and effort, and possibly, if your class is a hit, a continuing paycheck, as you can teach it semester after semester.

Plus, you will meet many new interesting people with like interests along the way. Who knows what doors will open up for you! Go for it! I did and wish I had done it long before now!