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Professor Job Description

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Overview

professor
603
The number of occurrences in our database.
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A professor is the highest academic rank at a university. A professor often teaches classes, but their broader role is to improve academic standards, and to provide leadership in curriculum development, course design, and teaching methods. Professors mentor students, present lectures, evaluate student progress, conduct original research, supervise graduate students' research, and teach undergraduate, professional, or postgraduate courses in their fields of expertise. In many universities, full professors take on senior managerial roles such as leading departments, research teams and institutes, and filling roles such as president, principal or vice-chancellor. The role of professor may be ...

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Steps to take to start your career as a Professor and other jobs like it

  • Start by earning a bachelor's degree in a field related to the area you wish to teach. Gain research experience and start considering in what specific area you want to get an advanced degree. Then obtain a master's degree or likely a Ph.D. in your chosen discipline.
  • During your graduate studies, focus on producing high-quality research, publishing papers, presenting at conferences, and networking with professionals in your field. Also seek opportunities to teach as a teaching assistant (TA) or adjunct instructor. TA responsibilities likely will be a requirement of your studies.
  • Conduct significant research, publish in reputable academic journals, and collaborate with other scholars. Securing research grants and funding can also strengthen your CV.
  • Prepare a strong application package, including a CV, cover letter, teaching philosophy statement, and research statement. Apply for assistant professor or similar positions at universities and colleges, and be prepared for the interview process, which may include presenting your research and teaching a class.
Hear from someone who’s had the job or one like it
"Discover the journey to becoming an assistant professor, from earning a PhD to managing postdoctoral research, and uncover valuable tips on expanding your academic network. Learn about the unique challenges and rewards of this passion-driven career, including the opportunity to shape young minds and witness their growth firsthand."
Career Video Transcript
Examples of Current Open Professor Positions
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indeedImg
Avg Pay: $96K
Jobs: 0
glassdoor
Avg Pay: $154K
Jobs: 12,365

Education you need to become a Professor

These are the most common degrees or certificates earned by Jobtrees users prior to becoming a Professor

There may be other required degrees or certifications needed for this job. The below info shows you the most commonly desired education level from employers when hiring for this job.

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
    The number of occurrences matches with Professor in our database.
    Avg. Duration:17 monthsAvg. Fees:$27,469Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Bachelor of Arts (b.a.) in Psychology
    The number of occurrences matches with Professor in our database.
    Avg. Duration:48 monthsAvg. Fees:$31,580Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PH.D.) in Economics
    The number of occurrences matches with Professor in our database.
    Avg. Duration:43 monthsAvg. Fees:$36,633Type:Mostly full timeView more on Studyportals
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Annual Pay Estimate for Professor and Other Important Info

See how many years Professor's are in their job, how much they make, how long it took to get there and how available this job is in terms of open positions.

14.6 years
$125K
The average years of experience in the workforce prior to having this role
5.05 years
Mid
The average number of roles it took our users to get to this one
3
536 out of 4016

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Career Paths for Professor

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Jobs to start your career in becoming a Professor

These are the most common roles Jobtrees users had to start their career that eventually lead them to Professor. If you’re looking to get into this career these are jobs to consider to get your start. We’ve included below some current open job postings that match those roles. Click to search for more.