Career As A University Professor, Know Required Education & Skills

Faculty job at a university is a rewarding career, but with a decline number of available positions, becoming a university professor is not easy. The job at university level entails not only post-graduate students but also deeply involved in research activities. A student-teacher relationship at this level is that of a guide and mentor.

If you want to become a university professor, you will need high dedication in your chosen field of academics. This competitive and lucrative field is best for those who can demonstrate academic achievement at all levels.

Here we have tried to outline as an aspiring university professor, what you'll need to succeed in this career.

Education Qualification

Universities typically require their faculty to have doctoral degree in their field. Some universities may take exception to this, as they may hire those who have a master's degree.

Higher education faculty who teach in professional courses, such as law, may not be required to have a doctoral level education. Instead, schools may seek professors who have experience or certification in the field they wish to teach.

Students hoping to become university professor must be able to exhibit academic excellence at every level of study; high school, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral. Some universities require prospective professors to have made significant contributions to their field if they are to be considered for employment.

Become University Professor using your Work Experience

If you want to become a university faculty, the best way is to gain relevant career experience by working as a graduate teaching assistant. Gaining relevant experience is crucial as academic positions are highly competitive, and many universities prefer to hire professors who have teaching experience.

Required Skills:

In order to become well known in a career as a university professor, you should perform your duties with competence and for this you should possess a certain set of skills. These skills are typically acquired as a result of your years of study in the particular field as well as work experience.

Following are the key-skills needed:

* High level of knowledge

* Excellent time management and organization management skills

* Excellent verbal communication skills, both for lecturing and communication

* Excellent writing skills for publishing the research and analysis

* Able to effectively monitor students progress

* Characteristics of Successful Higher Education Teacher

* In order to enjoy the designation and duties of a university faculty

* Enjoy motivating and inspiring students

* Enough self-confidence to present information in front of large groups of students

* A commitment to continuous professional development

* Enjoy compiling information and preparing lecture materials

* Enjoy challenging existing theories or beliefs

However, institute administrators consider professors from a completely another perspective. Because the process of education is desirable, it is not of predominant importance. They believe- the most important is that the professors must fulfill their contractual obligations to the institute. Although satisfaction of students is of concern to the administration but still it is not of utmost matter of concern. For them, academic standards are more important. And in the search of academic excellence, few students will fail and few will do poorly.