What is It Like to Be an Instructor at Edureka?
Teaching holds a special place in many hearts, as it is a rewarding experience that brings immense satisfaction. After the pandemic, the opportunity to instruct large groups of students online has become a significant goal for educators. One such platform, Edureka, offers a unique teaching experience that blends educational excellence with efficient support. Here's what it's like to be an instructor at Edureka and the insights gained from the experience.
Customer is King Focus
One of the standout aspects of Edureka is its focus on the customer (learner) perspective. When a student requests a refund, Edureka honors it. Similarly, if a student desires a class rescheduling, the request is processed promptly. Batch times are entirely flexible, keeping in mind the convenience of students, especially those from different time zones. This student-centric approach is commendable, as it ensures that the learning experience aligns with the availability and preferences of the students. However, this also means that instructors must manage a large number of students simultaneously, sometimes with varying time zones, which can be challenging.
The Role Beyond Teaching
While the student-centric approach is commendable, it also restricts the academic freedom of instructors. At Edureka, the role of an instructor is more akin to that of a trainer than a traditional teacher. The primary responsibilities revolve around delivering pre-defined content and ensuring that the students are on track. The instructor's role is not to engage in extensive discussion or provide broad insights, but to facilitate the learning process with clear, concise, and structured content.
Customer Support
Another facet of the role involves providing customer support. Instructors at Edureka often find themselves stepping in to handle customer service requests, especially when the dedicated support team is inactive or undermanned. This situation is common, as many customer support professionals leave the field for higher-paying roles in data analytics. Consequently, instructors are shouldering a significant portion of the customer support duties, which can add an extra layer of responsibility and pressure.
Compensation and Reviews
When it comes to compensation, Edureka offers competitive rates for online courses, which are aimed at maximizing batch sizes. While the fees charged are relatively low, instructors receive a small portion of the overall revenue, often less than 20%. This means that while the workload is high, the pay is comparatively low, making it the least lucrative option in the industry on a per-hour basis.
Course Ecosystem and Specialization
The management at Edureka focuses on expanding the breadth of courses rather than delving deeply into specialized topics. While this strategy can be beneficial for the company's growth, it may not satisfy those who seek to specialize in a particular field. Additionally, many students are cross-sold multiple courses at a reduced price, which may lead to a perception of a discount but does not ensure comprehensive skill development.
Branding and Recognition
Edureka's approach to marketing sometimes leaves instructors feeling underappreciated. The platform benefits from the expertise and brand of its instructors but does not explicitly pay them in terms of branding or public recognition. This can be discouraging, especially when instructors contribute significantly to creating effective course content.
Payments and Flexibility
Despite the challenges, a positive aspect of working as an instructor at Edureka is the timely payment system. This is particularly important in India, where prompt payment is a significant concern. Edureka adheres to its financial commitments, although negotiations for payment terms are common. However, the promptness of payments ensures that instructors do not face financial stress.
Conclusion and Alternatives
Overall, my experience with Edureka equipped me with valuable lessons and skills that made me a better instructor. However, it also taught me to lower my expectations regarding the balance between workload and compensation. For full-time instructors, the experience can be challenging, especially if they cannot secure at least four students per batch. If training is pursued part-time, Edureka remains one of several options to consider. Alternatives like setting up a personal blog or a training place might offer more control and potential for higher pay.