….who me?

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 and TA’d a web design course several years ago. An opportunity came up via a grad school colleague and I thought hey sure, why not. That Fall, I began teaching Interaction Design I as an adjunct at Northeastern University’s College of Art Media & Design (CAMD) 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 design, photography, and video production.

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 creatives. I also learned a great deal through presenting the course content, the proven concepts, theory and methods — what has been behind all my decision making at work all this time. MINDBLOWING. Throughout the year I was incredibly inspired and rejuvenated — all from the students.

Hitting burnout? Tired of screaming into a pillow? Looking for inspiration? Go teach a class if you can, you won’t regret it.