Hi all,

I am studying a PhD in Social Psychology in a UK university and am currently looking at career options. Rather than a career primarily focused on research, I think I would like something more heavily focused on teaching. As a result, I believe a job teaching psychology at a community college could be an ideal fit for me. There are thousands of these types of colleges in the United States and I would happily move wherever I was offered a job. However, do you think it is possible for someone with a PhD from the UK to get a teaching job in a community college in the US? Does anyone know if this is common? I am worried that US colleges only hire people from the US or that they wouldn't want to go through the hassle of getting a working visa for an international applicant. Do you guys think this is a possible career option?

I'm afraid I don't know the answer - anyone?

hi OrangeBubblegum,
I have also thought about teaching in the US! To answer your questions, yes it is possible for someone with a PhD from the UK to get a teaching job. There are US universities hiring people of different academic qualifications (and also nationalities), so why should there not be UK PhD-holders teaching in the US?

I think it is a possible career option! What you can do now, is to start looking online for job opportunities/teaching job vacancies advertised for US universities. Look at the entry requirements to see if you qualify for their work permit stuff (green card etc.). Meanwhile, increase your teaching hours (at your present university) or publications, whatever it is that will enhance your CV. Usually they will ask for teaching experience etc. as well in your application.

besides looking here, also look at the websites of US universities for job vacancies! There's always something! It's up to you to find it!

There's an American equivalent of the Times Higher Ed Supplement called the Chronicle of Higher Education - it has a busy forum on its website. I'd suggest posting there to find out how feasible it is. And how likely you would be to be considered if you haven't the right to work in the US. From what I've read there, it might be quite hard. If you're interested in teaching in a community college, have you thought about further education or even secondary teaching here?

Or even a university here that is teaching focussed - there's a lot of difference in the role and expectations of a lecturer in a research-focussed and a teaching-focussed department.