Introduction
J. T., a master in psychology and a professor with 22 years of experience in online education, agreed to give his honest opinion on the history and various aspects of his craft. A seasoned online educator who had seen and learned a lot in his professional life, Mr. T. shared his thoughts on challenges, training, evolutionary trajectory, and industry problems. In twenty answers, Mr. T. helped to create a comprehensive and brutally honest overview of education as a modern-day profession.
Interview
What are your job responsibilities?
I have quite a lot of job responsibilities, at least significantly more than one can imagine! Sometimes, people think that the online education format is easy for educators due to its convenience. I can assure you it is not, and I still have to control quite a few aspects. Firstly, I have to prepare a virtual classroom before the students join it. I have to establish strict and clear communication rules and make sure that all students understand them in order to avoid technical and workflow problems. Secondly, I have to set up announcements, discussion boards, and other tasks on time. After all, I cannot blame students for not submitting a task I forgot to announce! Thirdly, I have to do my best to keep everyone satisfied and engage students in weekly online discussions. I also have to check and grade all submitted assignments at the designated time. Finally, I am supposed to develop professionally, which includes completing 20 hours of annual training sessions and adjusting and improving educational content in four classes I lead throughout the year.
What are some of the challenges you face in your position?
Frankly speaking, some challenges do not differ from the traditional education format. For example, I have to check and grade all assignments quickly. At least, in the online format, I do not have to carry around students’ exercise books and read their handwriting! However, the online format adds specific challenges, forcing me to adapt despite my experience. The technology behind virtual classrooms changes quite frequently, so sometimes, I have to change my work routine. Finally, interaction with some students can become tough at times. I always have to think about ways to make the learning experience more enjoyable, so students learn the content I provide.
What type of academic/educational credentials were necessary for your career?
The entry requirements were relatively low when I started my online education career. A candidate had to have a master’s degree in their academic specialty, a computer and some basic knowledge of how it works, and, let’s say, the courage to experiment and try out a new format. Back when I started, the idea of online education was ambitious, almost an unknown territory. The Internet was still taking baby steps; the first big websites were created about five years before online education became feasible. So, only three things were necessary — education, a computer, and the willingness to venture into the unknown!
Was there any specialized training you were required to receive?
Since the industry was making its first steps, the notion of specialized training for the online educator’s profession was largely absent. I was taught how to use software, but other than that, it was a process of trial and error. I learned and explored on my own; I made many notes on what works and what does not. Looking back, I would say that it probably was not that professional, and I made quite a few mistakes. Then again, how can you progress in a new industry without learning from experience? In a way, I was writing history as one of the first pioneers in online education.
Did you receive on-the-job training? If so, how?
Back in the day, manuals and onboarding programs for online educators did not exist. We and a few of our coworkers were creating materials for on-the-job training on the go. So, coming back to your question — no, I did not receive on-the-job training. I had to apply my knowledge and figure out effective techniques for online format as I worked. Thankfully, new educators have an easier life because two decades earlier, my colleagues and I acquired precious knowledge. This knowledge became the basis of various online courses used in the training and adaptation of new generations of online educators.
Did you feel prepared when you first began your career?
Actually, I felt well-prepared to enter the new, promising industry of online education. I have a rich and diverse background of work in the education sphere. I hope I am m not sounding arrogant or pretentious, but I thought I had more ability in education than most. So, I was confident of making a successful transition to the online format. I felt prepared to face any challenges that a new professional setting could throw at me. And I believe I still can give many young educators a run for their money!
What type of continued education is necessary to uphold your career?
Extra education and development are always welcome, but I believe that in education, practical experience is more beneficial than theoretical knowledge. You learn how to deal with non-standard situations, how to approach students, and how to increase engagement in real-life examples; you make mistakes and become better. Continued education can provide you with better preparation, but practice and learning capacity are paramount at the end of the day.
What licensing requirements are necessary?
Simply put, becoming an online educator does not require any licensing. The only barrier you have to pass is having a university degree, but that is an education-based requirement rather than a proper licensing procedure. Honestly, I see that as a serious problem because U.S. News & World Report ranks schools on the basis of the total number of people with doctorates, making the schools inclined to lower their educational standards. I believe an education system that pursues quantity over quality is incredibly flawed.
Do you frequently travel for work?
No, I can work remotely from any place I wish; this is one of a few advantages of my job, so there are no real reasons to leave anywhere for work.
Are there specific courses you would recommend for learning in this field?
I would not recommend any particular course because there are quite a few decent ones available to beginner educators. However, I would give one piece of advice — an educator must develop empathy. Without the ability to care for your students and a desire to help others, you will suffer in this line of work. Even in preparation for the classes, an educator has to learn and understand the topics from all perspectives. From personal experience, I can tell that being able to argue from all positions helps a lot.
Are you satisfied with your job/do you feel fulfilled professionally?
That depends on the type of satisfaction! From a personal perspective, I like my job, I enjoy interacting with my students and sharing knowledge with them. I also enjoy the flexibility of working hours, but sometimes an employer can (and will!) take advantage of you. However, I am not at all satisfied from a professional perspective. My students are the only people who recognize and appreciate my efforts. If you crave recognition and fame, you will not find them in this industry.
What is the general pay range for your position, and how does it change with experience?
I would say my general pay range is about $10/hour, which is pathetic. Twenty-two years of experience do not matter as inflation makes all meager raises redundant. Essentially, I work without a salary raise, and the inflation rate does not even matter. I do not want to brag much, but I have won the “Teacher of the Year” award twice in my career. A special award for student engagement was named after me. And guess what? Still no salary raise for all my hard work!
What is your work environment like?
I usually work from home, but I can work from a hotel room when I have to travel somewhere.
Is there anything you would like to see change/happen in your field?
I would like to change two things that, in my opinion, require immediate attention. Most importantly, I would like to see me and my fellow educators compensated decently for our efforts. Our work is not easy by any means, and we must get a fair payment for doing it. Secondly, I would like people in admin departments to start listening to educators and act on what is said more often. As for now, I feel we might as well be living on two different planets, given how they treat us.
How do you manage the balance between your professional and personal life?
To be honest, I do not have a problem with work/life balance management. As I said, I enjoy the personal, and emotional side of my job. So, I work at least a few hours each day of the year because it brings order to my life.
Do you have a support system that benefits your career?
Well, I had a dog until this year, and I miss him a lot! I guess my dog could have been counted as a part of my career support system. Jokes aside — no, I am not being or feeling supported whatsoever. When APUS hired me in 2000, they just sent me an email with access information and said to get started. So, I had to find all the content and set up the class, and all of that was unpaid. Other than that, I had a phone call or two outside of email exchanges and a couple of WV conferences. The last of them occurred fifteen years ago, so you can imagine the level of support.
Is there anything you would recommend to beginners in the field?
I have one, and only one, recommendation — do not get into the education industry in its current state. Choose whatever career path except for education; almost anything else would be better for a young specialist. In addition to already bad work conditions, the advancements in AI technologies would likely make a lot of educators redundant in the upcoming years. And as you have probably guessed, already laughable wages in the field would become even lower.
If you could go back, would you choose the same career?
Not a chance, really! If I was a national union president, I would tell all k-16 teachers to leave their jobs, go home, and find a better occupation. Then, I would announce a nationwide strike, demanding the schools give the educators at least a 100% wage increase. Students across the United States would not receive education until some greedy people understood that making a joke about the teachers was unacceptable. Unfortunately, this is just my wishful thinking, but I really believe that making educators, people with a degree, work for such a pathetic wage is immoral.
How has your career impacted your life most significantly?
I think I learned how to find joy in little pleasures because you just do not have another choice when your employer does not appreciate your work! But most importantly, I learned how to become satisfied by helping others. I love seeing how my students grasp the content and become happy when they understand some complex subjects. Overall, I have become a more supportive and humbled person. After all, if the company does not appreciate your impact, you have to find a reason to appreciate it yourself.
What parts of your career do you enjoy the most?
You probably wanted to ask what part of my career I enjoy the least? Well, on the brighter side, I like flexibility, a certain degree of freedom that comes with my job. I enjoy working on a custom schedule and being my own boss in many ways. However, I passionately hate two parts of my job — the pathetic wage and the management’s indifference. While low wage is regrettable, the attitude of the higher-ups is arguably even more frustrating. Sometimes I feel that we’re living in two different worlds, and communicating with them feels like bashing your head against the wall.
Conclusion
Overall, Mr. T. provided a powerful insight into the current state of the education industry and online education in particular. During the conversation, I had a feeling that Mr. T. had a strong desire to share his opinion and express various concerns. The most important insight was that it is evident a career path in education cannot be advised to students. The problem with low wages is persistent in all education types. The online format somewhat compensates for poor pay with freedom, but, at the same time, educators have to deal with indifferent, dismissive treatment from the management. In this regard, the interview assignment allowed me to access insider information that shed light on the actual state of affairs in education in the United States. Previously, I did not realize how tough the situation is for U.S. educators. Now I understand that many educators across the country desperately need changes. Mr. T. opened my eyes with his strong, experience-based criticism of the current system. Ultimately, an opportunity to see the subject from the professional’s perspective was the most valuable aspect of the interview assignment.