In colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions,
professors are in charge of giving students a highly qualified education and
direction in particular fields. It can take a while to meet the requirements,
but becoming a professor can be rewarding. Selecting educational objectives
that are compatible with this career choice may be beneficial to you.
In this article, we'll look at how to become a professor, what a
professor does, what credentials you need, and the future employment prospects
for professors.
The salaries shown reflect the information available at the time of
writing on Indeed Salaries. The hiring company, the candidate's experience,
educational background, and geographic location may all influence their pay.
How to Become a Professor
The actions listed below may be useful for helping you become a college professor:
1. Decide your specialization and earn a bachelor's degree
Decide early on whether you want to pursue a career in academia as a
professor of arts, commerce, or science, and pass your 12th Higher Secondary
Certification exam with at least 80–90% overall marks. You might be able to
enroll in the bachelor's program of your choice thanks to this. Maintaining a
strong academic record is crucial, as is graduating with an average grade point
average that is significantly higher than the minimum of 50–55 percent.
2. Take master's courses
Take the GATE exam, enroll in the master's program of your choice, and
pass it with more than the minimum required of 50 to 55 percent aggregate
marks. You may be qualified to work as a lecturer or a demonstrator if you
successfully complete the master's degree program. You will probably be able to
advance in your career thanks to the work experience.
3. Pass competitive exams
You can take and pass the competitive NET, SET, or CSIR NET exams after
earning a master's degree. With the NET, you can apply for assistant professor
positions at every college and university in the nation; with the SET, you can
only apply for assistant professor positions in the state where you scored well
on the test. You might get a junior research fellowship or be chosen for a
lecturer position by taking the CSIR NET.
4. Obtain a doctoral degree
You can then sign up for a doctoral degree program. If you have a
doctorate, you can avoid taking the competitive exams and apply directly for a
job as a college professor.
5. Gain practical experience
To gain experience in the field, you might think about specializing in a
particular area and obtaining a practicing license. For instance, you can add
to your teaching of the subject by earning a nursing license and gaining
nursing experience. While finishing your education, you can also gain teaching
experience by working as a student instructor, tutoring adults or children, or
holding a part-time teaching position. A research position that you volunteer
for might also prepare you to teach a subject.
6. Research and academic publication
To establish yourself as an authority in your field, write
well-researched blogs, articles, and papers for your blog or website and for
academic blogs, websites, magazines, and other publications. For promotion from
assistant professor to associate professor, it is necessary to publish at least
five high-caliber papers or books, and for promotion from associate professor
to professor, it takes at least ten.
7. Find academic jobs and submit an application
Look for job openings on college and university websites, online job boards,
networking sites for professionals, and social media. Customizing your resume
and cover letter for each job application may be helpful. You should also get
comfortable answering the questions that interviewers are most likely to ask
during job interviews.
What Exactly Does an Academic do?
A college professor may carry out the following activities as a qualified
educator in a college, university, or other setting:
• Manage the enrollment of students in academic programs.
• Create course materials and syllabuses.
• Examine and revise the current course materials.
• Supervise graduate and postgraduate students while teaching.
• Create, administer, and analyze exam papers.
• Educate and guide assistant professors.
• Help graduate students with their research projects.
• Engage in student counseling.
• Attend faculty, departmental, and committee meetings.
• Deliver guest lectures at other universities and colleges.
• Hold open forums in libraries, community centers, and other public
venues to promote educational opportunities.
• Carry out research, organize field trips, and look into particular
topics.
• Compose and publish research books, articles, reports, and papers.
• Go to conferences, give talks, and connect with other academics.
What Requirements Must You Meet to Become a Professor?
You must possess the following qualifications in order to become a
professor.
Master's Degree
You must have a master's degree with a strong academic record in any
field. If you fall into a general category, you must have a minimum cumulative
score of 55%; if you fall into a minority or protected group, your score must
be at least 50%.
Competitive Exam Score
Any one of the competitive exams listed below, which the government has
approved, must have been taken and passed.
• The National Eligibility Test (NET), which is administered twice yearly
by the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the University Grants Commission
(UGC), is used to choose lecturers for colleges and universities across the
nation.
• The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is administered once a
year by the GATE committee. You can use the three-year validity of the score to
gain admission to master's or doctoral programs.
• State Level Eligibility Test (SET): The NTA administers the SET in
English and local languages once a year, and passing it qualifies you to work
as a lecturer in a state-level college or university.
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) NET: To approve
candidates from various science fields for lecturer positions or junior
research fellowships, the NTA conducts the national-level CSIR NET twice a
year.
Doctoral Degree
If you have a doctoral degree that you obtained through the regular
route, you can become a professor without taking the competitive exams. This
indicates that you participated in the viva voce and that at least two external
examiners have evaluated your research thesis. Additionally, you must have at
least two papers that are closely related published.
Teaching Experience and Skills
Three to 14 years of teaching and mentoring experience in a formal
educational setting are required. Having a self-assured, upbeat attitude and
employing creative teaching strategies that connect with your students can be
helpful. In order to clearly and passionately explain your subject, you must
possess excellent communication and presentation skills. Additionally, having
strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills may be
advantageous.
Research and Publications
To demonstrate the breadth of your knowledge and research, you must
publish a number of peer-reviewed papers, articles, or books. Additionally, you
need to keep up with the most recent advancements in your field by actively
researching and presenting them.
How Much Time does it Take to Become a Professor?
To become a college professor, one must put in many years of arduous work
and dedication. A three- or four-year bachelor's degree, a two-year master's
degree, and the passing of state- or national-level competitive exams are all
requirements for a full-time position as a professor. You might also require
several years of research or teaching experience. A doctoral degree is an additional
option that can be obtained after a master's program and requires three to six
years to complete.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Professor?
If you can meet the requirements listed below, you can work toward
becoming an assistant professor with a master's degree.
• You earned your master's degree from a reputable university with at
least a 55 percent average.
• You successfully completed one of the competitive exams for UGC NET,
UGC SET, or CISR NET.
• You've held a position in research or education.
Can You be a Professor with a Master's Degree?
A professor's employment prospects are favorable, with both public and
private educational institutions offering steady employment opportunities. Professors make an average yearly salary of
$8,44,895 in the United States.
A full-time adjunct professor makes $5,57,296 annually, while an
assistant professor makes $5,11,686.
An associate professor earns an annual salary of 11,10222.
Working at prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology
(IIT), Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Birla Institute of Technology
(BIT), and All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), you may earn
significantly more money. With each promotion you receive, your salary range
may also increase. Many professors go on to become chancellors and deans.
What is the Most Effective Method for Locating a Professorial Position?
Starting your job search while you are still in school is the best
strategy for landing a position as a professor. To learn about available
teaching positions, required qualifications, and pay, research private, public,
and research-based educational institutions. Decide which colleges and jobs
best suit your qualifications, interests, and expectations before whittling
down the list.
Consider sending your application if any of them have openings for
part-time positions.
By networking with academics, you can increase your chances of landing
the job of your dreams. Additionally, you can participate in online forums and
groups, attend seminars and conferences, be active on social media, and
subscribe to academic newsletters and magazines.
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