How to establish a presence at a community college that might lead to adjuncting I'm an engineer with a M.S. and 20+ years of industry experience. I always wanted to teach but I left grad school for industry to help pay the bills.  I have no regrets, but I do have a very strong desire to go back into academia.  I remember my first real engineering class was taught by a adjunct who had a full time industry job.  I really appreciated the advice he gave about being an engineer in the real world.  I'd like to return that favor to future engineers by being an adjunct.  

I'd like to start by establishing a presence at local community colleges.  I'd love the opportunity to do some volunteer work, collaborate, substitute or sit on an advisory board. I'd offer a unique perspective still being connected to industry, but with a strong interest in academia.  What would be  realistic?  What position should I contact at the community college and how should that conversation start?  

Country United States
All you need to teach undergrad courses at the university level here in the US is a masters, which you have.  You can't be tenure track (a professor) without the PhD, but you can be a lecturer.  And you can certainly be a part-time adjunct or affiliate.

Contact the department chairs in the engineering departments of these local schools.  Ask to meet to discuss their current or possible needs for adjunct or affiliate faculty and any advice they might offer.  Without previous classroom experience, your first assignment won't be a big lecture class.  But you might start (as I did, about 6 years ago) as a lab instructor or as a faculty adviser for a team of students working on their senior project.  As you gain more experience and begin to figure your way around how a university works and how a class is run, you can ask for more interesting assignments.

Good luck.  I've really enjoyed the transition from industry to academia.  I love working with my students and my colleagues.  I think you will, too.