College Instructors conduct college or university courses in the area of their specialty for undergraduate and graduate students.

JOB DUTIES

College Instructors may:

Prepare and deliver lectures, as well as develop Internet on-line, instructor-led courses and/or self-study tutorials

Compile bibliographies for outside reading assignments

Stimulate class discussion

Compile, administer, and grade exams and assignments or assign the work to others

Supervise laboratory assignments, field work, and independent study

Direct research of other teachers or graduate students who are working on advanced degrees

Develop or revise courses and degree curricula

Advise students on academic and vocational curricula

Act as advisor to student organizations

Serve on faculty committees

Conduct research and present findings in professional journals and at workshops and conferences

Provide professional consultation to government and industry

Assist students in job searches and with graduate school applications (to include writing letters of recommendation)

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The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

College Instructors may specialize in these areas:

090.227-010 COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY FACULTY MEMBERS may teach subjects such as data processing, marketing, engineering, economics, chemistry or English within a prescribed curriculum. Instructors are usually designated as members of a particular department within the college or university.

090.227-010 COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEACHERS in two-year colleges or technical institutes, are usually designated as Community College Instructors or Junior College Teachers.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also wish to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts: 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

College Instructors often work alone or with a graduate assistant. They usually have to share secretarial staff, and they may have to share offices. The physical environment in which College or University instructors work is generally pleasant. Laboratories, classrooms, offices, equipment, and library facilities vary with the financial condition and administrative priorities of the institution. Community colleges in particular have undergone much new construction within the last decade and often provide pleasant working conditions and ample equipment. The field work warranted for some disciplines occurs under conditions varying from pleasant to strenuous. 

The working schedule for college and university Instructors often provides much flexibility. Actual teaching hours usually average from 10 to 16 hours per week, but preparation, grading, advising, and other professional commitments often total 40 to 60 hours per week. Instructors are usually on a 9-10- or 12-month contract and usually use the unpaid portion of any year for research, writing, study, travel, or consulting. In junior and community colleges the teaching load is usually heavier, and less emphasis is placed on scholarly research and publication than in major universities. Few college and university Instructors have large blocks of time available exclusively for recreation or leisure. Some professors on a 9- or 10-month contract may accept a summer session contract or an extension course. 

Many College and university Instructors are members of The American Association of University Professors or members of unions affiliated with the National Education Association. Such members pay dues. Such Instructors may also be members of academic and professional associations in their specific disciplines and pay dues to these organizations as well. 

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving people and communication of information

• Activities of an abstract and creative nature

• Activities resulting in prestige or esteem from others

• Activities involving direct personal help

You Should Be Able To:

• Reason clearly and logically

• Understand the meanings of words and use them effectively

• Use mathematics quickly/accurately, depending upon area of

instruction

• Influence people in their opinions or judgments

• See details and errors in numbers, letters, and punctuation

• Deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Make decisions based on personal judgment

• Plan and organize materials and procedures

• Communicate well in speech and writing

Community College Instructors are usually required to have at least a master's degree, although some may begin teaching with less than a master's degree. Most four year colleges and universities require a doctorate. Instructors in trade and technical fields are often required to have actual work experience in their particular areas.

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

The sum of the measure of the interior angles of a triangle is 180 degrees. In one triangle, the sum of angle A and twice angle B is 175 degrees. Twice angle B plus angle C is 215 degrees. Find the number of degrees in each angle.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Sequencing refers to carrying out a series of actions in their proper order, one after another. The sequencing control structure causes instructions to be carried out in the order in which they appear in an algorithm.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a course syllabus for a college calculus course.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Excellent analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing students' preparation and their assignments.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation. 

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script: 

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***  

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY 

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***  

Please check the Military Web site at http://www.myfuture.com.

TEACHERS AND INSTRUCTORS

The military provides training and educational opportunities for all personnel. Teachers and instructors conduct classes in such academic subject as engineering, physical science, social science, and nursing. Teachers and instructors teach military personnel subjects that are related to their military occupations.

What They Do

Teachers and instructors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Develop course content, training outlines, and lesson plans

• Prepare training aids, assignments, and demonstrations

• Deliver lectures

• Conduct laboratory exercises and seminars

• Give test and evaluate student progress

• Diagnose individual learning difficulties and offer help  

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation. Some specialties require a master's degree.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely

• Interest in teaching

• Preference for working closely with people  

Work Environment

Teachers and instructors usually work in classrooms and lecture halls.

Training Provided

No initial job training is provided to officers in this occupation.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian teachers and instructors work in junior colleges, colleges, and universities. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may teach several different courses within the same field of study.

Opportunities

Since some officers return to their regular occupations after teaching, the services need new teachers and instructors each year. Eventually, teachers may become tenured professors at the service academies or other military colleges or managers of education programs.  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Teaching as a graduate assistant or teaching at other educational levels can be valuable. Part-time work is often available when the regular college and university staff members need assistance or are unable to teach. Similar experience is also available in military service.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local College Instructor employer

internships

volunteer work with a College Instructor employer

community service work with an agency

Direct application to the appropriate department and school is the usual method of entry. Individuals may locate employment opportunities by registering with college and university placement centers and professional organizations. Former professors are often good sources for job information. Faculty and professional journals (such as the "Chronicle of Higher Education") may also provide job leads. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Salaries of College Instructors depend on their academic qualifications, experience, and size of the institution. Generally, Professors of medicine, dentistry, computer science, business, engineering, and law have higher salaries than professors in other fields. Instructors in 4-year institutions usually have higher average salaries than those in 2-year colleges. Some community colleges pay Instructors according to the number of classes and students taught. 

Nationally, the average annual salaries of faculty members in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in the 2007-2008 school year were: 

The median yearly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $37,544 in 2008.

In the East North Central area that includes Michigan, the average annual salaries of faculty members in 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in the 2007-2008 school year were:

Royalties from published books; earnings from lecture tours, summer teaching, and consulting; plus federal and foundation funding for projects are additional sources of income.  Some institutions also provide cost-of-living allowances and financial assistance for research. 

Most colleges and universities provide retirement plans, health and life insurance, sick leave, paid school holidays, and travel allowances. Instructors may receive a sabbatical leave (a year or 6 months of paid absence for study or travel) at 50%-100% of their salary after 6-7 years of employment. They may also receive free or reduced tuition for dependents. 

Instructors generally are required to have a master's degree, and often a doctorate, for employment. For advancement, further academic training, experience, and professional recognition are needed. Assistant professors usually need a year of graduate study beyond the master's degree and at least 1 or 2 years of experience as an Instructor, although a doctorate is increasingly required. Appointments as associate professors frequently demand the doctorate plus 3 or more years of college teaching experience. For a full professorship, the doctorate and extensive teaching experience are essential. Advancement may also depend on writing for scholarly publications and/or on obtaining funds for research projects. Some individuals move from teaching to administrative positions in higher education.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 1,671,800 college and university Instructors employed in 2006. Thirty per cent worked part-time.   Employment of College Instructors is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Competition for jobs will be keen. However, a relatively strong demand is expected for those who seek teaching positions in the engineering and computer science disciplines.

Two-year community colleges, which are attracting more students who cannot afford 4-year colleges, will have some job openings. Overall, high learning is in the midst of accelerating along with changes such as distance education resulting from the use of new technologies. College Instructors who are able to teach in the traditional environment and who are experts in developing Internet on-line courses and/or self-study tutorials will have the most favorable job opportunities. The industry distribution for College Instructors looked like this: 

To find employers, click Employer/Business Locator.

There are approximately 25,775 College Instructors employed in Michigan. Most of them worked in urban areas. They were employed by public and private colleges, universities, and community colleges. 

The employment of College Instructors in Michigan is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. An average of 880 annual openings is expected, with 450 due to growth and 430 due to replacement of Instructors who retire or leave the labor force. Additional openings will occur as Instructors transfer to other jobs or occupations. 

As a way to reduce initial overhead cost, colleges are hiring more part-time, full-time/limited term faculty or graduate assistants to teach college courses.  These trends may possibly impact the overall employment outlook for those seeking work in this area.

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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