ITT Technical Institute Former instructor speaks out Getzville New York

I've just read some of the disturbing reports of people who have attended ITT Technical Institute, and it is of the opinion of this author that these people should also learn how ITT can, and does, screw over its employees.

I was currently trying to find an adjunct-faculty position at any local college/university shortly after completing my Master's Degree. ITT-Tech was one such choice, and they called me attempting to recruit me to be a part-time instructor through their company.

I hadn't yet taught in a classroom setting, and was very anxious to do so. Even though the class was once a week for 3.5+ hours, I really wanted to teach in a college setting. Unfortunately, I had no idea as to the pain and hardship that I would endure during the quarter that I taught there.

Just showing up early for office hours was very boring, as no one even showed up to ask for help. I had to follow their rules, their syllabus, their curriculum, etc. It took 5-6 weeks till I received a paycheck for my services rendered, and the excuse was something along the lines of "we are trying but with your name, there is a problem". I also did not receive full computer access (including their online gradebook and email) until 3-4 weeks after I started.

It was also my only job at the time and I was receiving pressure from my father to take another horsecrap job (which I still have to this day). I also was forced to change my addendum to the syllabus several times due to complaints regarding how 'strict' it was. One such change was to change my policy on make-up quizzes from no make-ups to make-ups up to two weeks from the original date with a penalty attached.

There was even a week I had a major panic attack due to starting my new job, then traveling the hour drive just to get to ITT-Tech, seeing that I did not get a paycheck like I was supposed to, then being 'attacked' by one of the computer specialists because he believed that I was taking things out on him. The exact words, I believe, were "I have done everything I can for you, so don't take things out on me!" just before going to the bathroom.

Then to make things worse, I was so distraught that I had to head home and get out of there. This was followed by calls from the Dean attempting me to come back and teach class against my will since they are supposedly not allowed to cancel a class. For some time, he would not accept no for an answer.

I also was supposed to call every student who did not attend class on that week and ask why they didn't come, plus 'spoon-feed' them as to what they missed. At the end of the course, I literally had to come in on an extra day just for one student to take his final exam. I also was being observed three times during that quarter, and the first time, the Associate Dean gave me a hard time saying that I was doing things wrong and was supposedly too 'strict'.

The students (no disrespect to those who have tried hard at such an institution) made things harder. It wasn't who they were or what they did; it was the fact that I had to hand-walk them through the course and baby them all the way. I started with 21 registered students, 16 of whom showed up on the first day, and 5 who finished the course, with one student failing. This student I had to personally call and let him know he failed.

I say these things not to blame anyone for my misfortune, but to deter those who would consider teaching at such an 'institution'. I also hope to deter those who would consider attending such an institution as a student. It is a sever insult to me as a professor to be forced to treat adults like children, and it is a sever insult to the students that they should be treated like children, most of whom are adults that are older than myself.

I leave with this warning. Avoid ITT-Tech like the plague. God Bless.

Anonymous
Somewhere, Yukon
U.S.A.