College Professor with Side Hustles

Published On: December 11th, 2017·By ·
college professor with side hustles

Professor Dustin York, full-time teacher and side gigger

Dustin York, full-time college professor with side hustles.

Several of them!

At one point, in addition to teaching, he has been a paid keynote speaker, Fortune 500 consultant, house flipper, childrens-sized Jordan flipper, and Instagram/YouTube show creator.

You can learn more about his work at Work with Dustin York and his teaching in communication at Maryville University. Be sure to check at the video at the University site; Dustin offers an interesting hands-on and outcomes-based approach to teaching and learning.

 

 

Tell us a little about your work.
I am an Assistant Professor and Director of the Communication Program at Maryville University in St. Louis, MO. On the side, I present keynote presentations, consult for Fortune 500 companies, flip houses, and create an Instagram/Youtube show @KeepingSocial.

What led you to working outside the classroom?
Since I began working in academia over five years ago, I knew I never wanted to be one of the out-of-date teachers — one of those teachers who are stuck 10 years in the past. In order to remain current in the classroom, I feel I must be active outside of the classroom. That's why I remain active in technology, social media, and marketing while working with clients. My drive outside of the classroom is fed by wanting my students to succeed.

What advice do you have for other teachers who want to do what you do?
Make your priorities beforehand and write them down. My priorities include remaining current with the new changes Instagram and Snapchat offers (so then my students have the most up-to-date information for branding) and having the financial ability to take my daughter to Disney World. If those are my priorities, it's easy to skip watching the newest season of Stranger Things, because I have priorities to focus on.

What's the biggest mistake you've made and what did you learn?
Requesting too little for speaking/training sessions. I was afraid that if I asked for too much, I would corner myself out of work. I learned that asking for the greater fee actually helped legitimize myself as a professional.

If you could go back and give your 20-year old self some advice, what would it be?
Ask for more. Over time I've learned you receive a lot more opportunities by simply asking. When I was 20, I was too busy fitting into a mold of what I thought would lead to success while being sure to stay inside the “lines”. I would tell my 20-year old self to ask for the extra work responsibilities, ask for the promotion, ask my professor for networking introductions, ask an out-of-my-league company to hire me for a project.

If your FUTURE self in 20 years could look back at where you are today, what advice might the Future You offer the Current You?
Don't slow down or get comfortable — the carrot is worth it.

Which resources do you rely on the most?
Industry bloggers/vloggers

When are you the happiest?
1. Playing the horse when my daughter wants to play cowgirl. 2. When I get to scratch something off my to-do list

Do you have a favorite quote or expression?
“If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success” – James Cameron

If you had to do it all over again, what would you do, be, or try?
I would do something that scared me every week. I've done this twice a month for the past 4 years, and it has been a life changer. Just last week I performed at a comedy open-mic night. I was deathly afraid, but a great growth opportunity and it helped me think differently about my keynote speaking business.

What are the 2-3 most important work-related purchases you've made in the last year?
1. Thank you cards 2. Three office monitors that connect to my laptop for efficiency 3. A class to learn how to code Alexa Skills

Anything else you'd like to share with other teachers who want to follow in your footsteps?
Be a success seeker rather than a failure avoider. I'm not afraid to fail.


If you have any questions for Dustin, or anything else related to this topic (and there will be more extra teacher income profiles and stories coming soon), please leave them below in the Comments.

For a different extra teacher income story, check on what Heather Brandon  (blogging and educational consulting) is up to.

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