<p>Most of these threads appear to reflect people who are intent on landing PhDs at top-tiered schools and establishing tenured professorships at R1 universities later in life. The advice is excellent for these people, but I haven't found much related to those with dreams of teaching/administration in two year or liberal arts colleges. Is anyone considering this path, or familiar with people who have chosen it? I have questions in several categories:</p>
<p>1) The PhD or the Masters
An MS or MA is technically sufficient to be hired as lecturers at community college, but some departments seem to favor higher degrees. Then again, some sources have said a doctorate is a deterrent because it demands higher pay from already struggling institutions. What has everyone heard about the advantages/disadvantages of either?</p>
<p>2) The Career Choices
Assuming one completes a PhD program, would a postdoc or lecturing position at a university be beneficial down the road? Or would it make more sense to begin integrating into the community college network immediately? How about both? (I've heard of a few crazed individuals who lecture at universities and take community college positions "on the side" until a tenured position pops up at one or the other).</p>
<p>3) The Lifestyle
Professors at community colleges, I have heard, often carry heavier teaching loads than those at universities. This would be my preference, but I'd prefer not to end up as a high school extension. How feasible would it be to get a few research projects in during my lifetime? How often do professors take positions at more than one institution to support themselves?</p>