Adjunct Professors Moonlight as Waiters to Pay Off Student Loans
In the world of academia, there's a dirty little secret that no one likes to talk about: many adjunct professors are struggling to make ends meet. While they may have advanced degrees and years of experience, they're often paid low wages with no benefits and no job security. And with the rising cost of student loans, many of these brilliant scholars are turning to less traditional means of paying off their debts.
Enter the world of waitstaff.
That's right, many adjunct professors are taking on second jobs as servers in restaurants, cafes, and bars. The Wibble spoke to several professors who are doing just that, and the stories they shared were both eye-opening and a bit sad.
"I have a PhD in English Literature," said one professor who preferred to remain anonymous. "And yet, I'm making minimum wage as a waiter. It's pretty humiliating."
Another professor, who teaches physics at a community college, told us that he's been working as a bartender on the weekends to make extra cash. "I know more about the science of mixology than I ever thought I would," he laughed. "But honestly, it's the only way I can make ends meet."
Some professors have even found ways to merge their academic backgrounds with their waitstaff duties. One math professor told us that he's been trying to teach his customers how to calculate tips in their heads. "I figure, hey, if I can make a few extra bucks off of tips and help people improve their math skills at the same time, why not?"
But while these professors may be finding ways to make ends meet, it's a sad commentary on the state of higher education in America. With colleges and universities relying more and more on underpaid adjunct professors instead of hiring full-time faculty, it's no wonder that so many talented scholars are struggling to pay off their student loans.
So the next time you're out to eat and your server seems a bit more knowledgeable than most, don't be too surprised—it might just be a PhD in disguise.
