Your primary responsibilities as an English professor are instructing students in English literature and writing techniques. Positions are available at colleges and universities. This includes most community and technical colleges. The position calls for at least a master’s and frequently a doctoral degree, typically in English literature or creative writing. Experience teaching graduate students and having worked as an assistant professor are additional qualifications. The career requires strong communication, critical thinking, and research skills. Additionally, many English professors are required to publish original studies in the discipline.
- Get a bachelor’s degree in English. Consider going to a four-year college or university that offers a bachelor’s degree in English. …
- Earn a master’s degree in English. …
- Work with students. …
- Pursue a PHD. …
- Publish your research. …
- Look for a job. …
- Graduate teaching assistant.
- Visiting professor.
What does an English professor do?
English professors teach multiple classes at various levels of undergraduate and graduate study, and they create the courses they teach based on specific topics in their field. Students who may require it can also get guidance and additional study aid from them. They have some work flexibility because they can change their class times throughout the semester. They can take the summers off if they follow the institution’s vacation policy. Some professors may be able to take sabbaticals or additional time off to carry out research in their area of expertise.
Additionally, English professors carry out their own academic work by producing books, academic papers, and presentations at conferences related to their area of expertise. Additionally, they continue their studies in order to stay informed about changes in their field.
What is an English professor?
An English professor is a teacher who imparts knowledge on literature, composition, and the English language to students in an academic setting, typically at a university or college. They are also English language learners, and they frequently focus on writing or studying literature. They can choose to specialize in a number of areas within English, including:
How to become an English Professor
You can take the following actions to train to become an English professor.
1. Get a bachelors degree in English
Think about enrolling in a four-year institution that grants English bachelor’s degrees. Although most colleges and universities offer courses in English literature, composition, or linguistics, these programs are very common at liberal arts colleges. Building relationships with the faculty of the English department at the school you attend and having a solid foundation in the English language may be beneficial.
You can sample various classes in the range of subjects that the English department offers while you’re studying. This can assist you in determining your areas of interest for specialization and potential teaching specialties. You can pick one of these three common tracks within the English department:
2. Earn a masters degree in English
After completing your undergraduate studies, you can apply for an English master’s program. This is a one- or two-year degree that focuses on a chosen specialization. Here are some examples of focuses you can choose:
You can focus even more on particular eras or themes within these fields, such as Gothic literature or literature from the seventeenth century. You might need to finish a masters thesis, also known as a dissertation, on a subject of your choice in order to receive your Masters degree.
3. Work with students
Consider gaining experience in front of students at school while pursuing your master’s degree. Many masters programs provide opportunities to work as teaching assistants, either as a form of work-study or as a way to build your resume. Teaching assistants assist professors in running their classes and can function as independent teachers for lower-level undergraduate courses.
This teaching experience will acquaint you with the demands of a college teacher and make you more at ease speaking in front of students. You can spend individualized time with students, assist with course design, and grade papers.
4. Pursue a PHD
Consider earning a Ph.D. because most professors have advanced degrees in their fields. D in the specialization that you would like to teach. In order to earn a Ph. D. , you may submit a written dissertation on a subject of your choosing, written under faculty guidance.
Ph. D. Often, programs take up to six years to complete and can be very competitive. Fully funded programs are particularly sought after because it is advantageous to study with an university stipend and graduate from your program debt-free. Some Ph. D. Consider applying to several programs and reapplying the following year as some candidates need to apply more than once to get a spot in a program they are passionate about.
5. Publish your research
Consider publishing articles in reputable journals while you are still in school to create a network of contacts and a research resume that will be appealing to potential employers. Your academic profile can be raised by speaking at conferences or participating in panels as a result of your publication of research. You may be more desirable as a candidate for professor positions if you have a reputation. For the same reasons, many doctoral holders turn their completed dissertations into books.
5. Look for a job
Once you have earned your doctorate, you will possess all the necessary academic credentials to work as an English professor and can look for employment at a college or university. In higher education, there are various levels of instruction, from adjunct professors to tenured professors. By looking at job postings at nearby colleges and universities, you can advance your career. You can also use your network and approach professors you’ve previously collaborated with to find out about any job openings.
You can update your resume to include:
What types of jobs can an English Professor have?
You can advance through the internal hierarchy of a college or university once you have a job there. Here is a list of potential roles for English professors:
A graduate teaching assistant’s main responsibilities include assisting full-time professors who teach at colleges and universities, but they are not full-time employees. They help with grading and office hours. They also teach some lower-level classes themselves. The majority of graduate teaching assistants are pursuing their master’s or doctoral degrees. D.
Primary responsibilities: A visiting professor is frequently a professor who has been loaned from one university where they work full-time to another university where they accept a temporary position. Universities employ visiting professors to provide their students with a range of perspectives from around the globe. Professors typically accept these jobs while on leave or for the chance to work at a facility with resources or faculty they want to collaborate with or experience.
Primary responsibilities: Although not a full-time employee, an adjunct instructor or professor teaches courses at the college and university levels. Although most have doctorates, some people are still pursuing their Ph Ds. Adjunct instructors are hired by schools for each class, so turnover may be quicker than for full-time positions.
An assistant professor typically works a full-time or salaried position in academia. The first step on a career path to becoming a tenured professor is a position as an assistant professor. Due to the possibility of job security, assistant professor positions are highly competitive and the majority of applicants hold doctorates.
Primary responsibilities: An associate professor is a professor who has tenure after being an assistant professor for an extended period of time and being evaluated by their university. Earning tenure can take five to seven years, and your university review can include any research you’ve done, publications you’ve published, or academic honors you’ve received. Having a tenured position means that your employment will last forever, with the exception of extraordinary circumstances or the department’s closure.
What skills does an English professor need?
In the academic world, an English professor has numerous responsibilities that call for a variety of abilities. Here are some skills an English professor needs:
Writing & Publishing Tips : How to Become an English Professor
FAQ
Are English professors in demand?
English professors appear to be spreading across America with increasing frequency. However, there are regional differences in employment opportunities and demand for English professors across the U S. Turns out, the median salary for the highest 10% of English Professors in America is $83,000
Do English professors make good money?
As of May 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that a full-time English professor earned an average of $80,180 annually. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The bottom 10% earned $37,960 or less annually, and the top 10% made $140,890 or more annually.
How do I start to become a professor?
- Earn an undergraduate degree. A bachelor’s degree is the first step on the road to becoming a professor.
- Choose a subject to specialize in. …
- Earn a graduate degree. …
- Participate in an assistantship. …
- Get post-doctoral experience. …
- Latest Posts.
What is the salary of English professor in India?
In India, a professor of English can earn up to $1,33,013 per month. What is the lowest monthly salary for a professor of English in India? The lowest monthly salary for a professor of English in India is 30,555.
