Urban workers need security to thrive
Sometimes I feel pretty lucky about my job. As contract faculty, an average day for me involves talking with university students about politics, power and the future of Canadian democracy. It’s a pretty good gig.
But wow, there are things about life as contract faculty that just aren’t so great. It’s pretty stressful having no job security, especially with two school-aged kids to support. I have to apply for teaching contracts every term and it’s a scramble to find courses. So, I’m teaching at two universities in two different cities. I wish I could spend my time researching and writing, or being available to my students, rather than commuting.
I love my job. But I think we can make it better. Higher education shouldn’t be a dead end. I don’t want to tell my students to avoid academia. I want to #makeworkbetter.