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What does a Professor do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A professor is a person who teaches at a university or college.

Professor job duties include:

  • Research and develop course materials, such as syllabi, lectures, and handouts.
  • Assign and grade class work, homework, tests, and assignments.
  • Hold office hours to answer student questions and help with academic issues.
  • Advise students on their course of study and career options.
  • Serve on departmental committees, such as curriculum development or assessment committees.
  • Participate in faculty governance at the departmental, college/university, or system level.
  • Conduct scholarly research in their field of expertise and publish findings in academic journals.
  • Speak at conferences and symposia on their research findings or on other topics of interest to their discipline.
  • Serve as a resource to other scholars, professionals, and the general public on matters related to their field of expertise.

Professor Job Requirements

A professor typically needs a PhD in their field, although some jobs may only require a master's degree. In addition, professors must have excellent communication and organizational skills. They must be able to keep up with the latest research in their field and be able to teach it to their students. Professors also need to be able to work well with other faculty members and staff.

Professor Skills

  • Classroom management
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Critical thinking
  • Designing curriculum
  • Evaluating student performance
  • Facilitating learning
  • Innovation
  • Instructing students
  • Lecturing
  • Motivating students

Related: Top Professor Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Professor

There is no one path to becoming a professor, but there are some common steps. Typically, professors have a Ph.D. in their field and several years of experience teaching at the college level. They must also be able to do research and publish their findings in academic journals. The best way to become a professor is to start by getting a good education and then working hard to develop your teaching and research skills.

Related: Professor Resume Example

Related: Professor Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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