The position of adjunct professor is an important one. Colleges need instructors, and this position allows prospective academics the opportunity to try out the role of professor. Adjunct professors are hired by schools on a contractual, part-time basis as opposed to the traditional university model of full-time employment.
The role of adjunct professor is continually expanding in education, due to ever-tightening budgets and many qualified applicants for relatively few jobs. There are certainly limitations to being an adjunct professor, but there are also definite benefits. Depending on the desire of the prospective professor, the role of adjunct may be a perfect fit.