I am a 40 year old woman who have worked as a faculty member of a traditional engineering department in private colleges in Delhi for most part of the last decade except for a two year break for childbirth. The college I was last employed closed the aforesaid department and has laid off all its faculty member including me. I have been always active in research in addition to teaching and have upskilled myself in the relevant field of research (renewable energy and electricity economics) through workshops and online courses from reputed institutions. However, I am not even getting one interview appointment to every hundred place I apply through Linkedin and Naukri. I suspect it is due to my age. I am ready to do all kinds of technical and nontechnical office work especially in the energy sector. Also, I am ready to teach. Could you help me please?
Ans: Namaste,
Today private colleges in Engineering are shutting down, especially for engineering there are very few takers. I feel you should go in for a visiting faculty approach. Pick up your strongest area and prepare a 6 credit 30 hour course and make sure you are the best in that. You need to discuss this with colleges of management, skill development initiatives and there is demand for good people. Colleges do not want to keep people on permanent jobs as they have to comply with several rules. Master of one can be your way out.