Get known!
Get known!
Networking is one of the key issues in staying in work!
By networking, I mean being a 'known face' in the educational world. Just being a tutor, no matter how well qualified and able, doesn't mean that anyone will be ringing you up to do some teaching. If you're not person a that's known within the very close community that is adult education, then you'll find it hard to compete with those who are. This means you need to get out and about and be involved in the background activities that go on within adult education. Go to meetings, go to lectures and seminars, chat to other teachers over coffee and find out the latest 'gossip', take up training opportunities, join educational groups and committees.... generally make an interested effort to 'put yourself about'!
Though all this takes up valuable time, it is actually ALL very much worth while and gives you a reputation of being enthusiastic and keen about education generally. In addition, when it comes to employment, you will be one of the first names on the list... !
Join the APTT too! The APTT's on-line database can be searched by any and all employers from anywhere in the world. Similarly, any employment opportunities notified to the APTT are circulated to members first... so you may well hear about a job long before it is known to the rest of the teaching community.
Copyright Bob Groves 26/12/2000