Hey Professor?
….whoa that’s weird.
In September 2023 I took on the role of professor. YES. I was just as surprised as you might be. I have no teaching experience, never taught a class on my own, only maybe TA’d web design way back. An opportunity came up via a grad school colleague and I thought hey sure, why not. I began teaching interaction design that Fall as an adjunct at Northeastern University College of Art Media & Design while also guest lecturing within photography programs at California Baptist and Rochester Institute of Technology.
In true Kim Maroon fashion, I slipped in the backdoor and they let me share my knowledge and expertise from the working world of experience design, photography, and video production with college students. I haven’t had the most traditional of education paths to any of those fields whatsoever. In fact, I learned mostly everything on the job in the past 10 years than from any institution. Imposter syndrome? Absolutely. But then I realized my real work experience was of great value to these students, the next generation of designers. I also learned a great deal through presenting the course content, the proven concepts, theory and methods — what has been behind my decision making at work all this time. MINDBLOWN. Throughout the year I was incredibly inspired and rejuvenated — all from the students.
Hitting burnout? Tired of screaming into a pillow? Looking for creative inspiration? Go teach a class if you can, you won’t regret it*
*The first 5 class sessions I wanted to crawl in a hole and die, but after that it was totally fun.