Let’s be clear. How the heck did we get here? We each had a situation that brought us to the academic profession. For me, my why was that I had just completed my first graduate degree, and I had to start paying back the loans. A friend was already teaching as an adjunct, and he mentioned an opening at the local university. Before I knew it, there I was, standing in front of a classroom full of students eager to learn from me, and I had not a clue how to work the projector.

My ‘why’ for staying is wrapped up in a mix between absolutely loving what I do and this weird love of being insanely busy outside of my full-time role. Admittedly, I’ve had some semesters that I have way too much teaching on my plate, but I’d never turn down a course. The excitement that comes from a student who has that “ah ha” moment, or realizes how the course connects to their professional and educational goals is just something that can’t be replicated elsewhere.

But seriously, what is your why? What is the thing that keeps you teaching? What is the excitement that comes from working with students?