1 answer
Joseph
Student
Zeeland, Michigan
1
Question
Updated
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What were the most valuable career experiences that you had before becoming a professor, and what would you recommend checkpoints would you recommend me to pursue on my own journey to become one, specifically in the engineering field?
I'm a student pursuing a doctorate in the engineering field, specifically chemical or biomedical depending on what classes I end up enjoying more or excelling at in college. I'm super passionate about sharing my knowledge, but I also always want to continue learning myself, so I want to become a professor, so that I have the opportunity to teach others while also doing research with other professors and students at the university. I understand that it's important to have research experience and to get papers published for this kind of career, but I'm not sure what else would be helpful in the profession or even just in landing the job. I want to know what opportunities would help me with this, without delaying my plans for too long.
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1 answer
William Vvuko
Retired engineer
240
Answers
Moyo, Northern Region
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Joseph,
Thanks for your query. Firstly, I'm not a professor. However, I've had the privilege of being taught by a couple of them.
I love your mindset. A long-term aspiration is critical for sustainable success. You have already narrowed your choices to two options that you are truly interested in and passionate about - which is highly commendable.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor irrespective of your level of qualification. Technical knowledge is just as important as general knowledge - both make us more useful to society.
Personally, I've had the privilege of grooming young engineers into solid professionals at the place of work. It's a very fulfilling experience, especially on seeing someone of them even become better than oneself.
As you have figured out, you'll need a first degree and then higher ones to be able to teach in a university. Eventually, your teaching experience and the research publications you author will enable you to become a professor.
In your quest for knowledge, however, you will need to develop and master some critical skills. One of them is the ability to manage your time in an optimum manner - how well you do this influences how much you achieve each day.
Others include the ability to plan, schedule & execute activities/work; organize; identify and resolve problems; work in teams; communicate effectively, collect, analyze & critically evaluate information.
To be successful, we also need important personal qualities. Some of them are: curiosity, passion for what you do, diligence, commitment, perseverance, positive mindset, willingnesss to take risks, attention to detail, assertiveness, self-drive, empathy etc. These qualities make us emotionally more intelligent thus greatly improving our ability to succeed. Some of them come naturally to some people. Others have to develop them through experience.
A sound grounding in practical knowledge necessarily makes us better teachers.
I truly hope you find this useful.
Best of luck in your studies.
Thanks for your query. Firstly, I'm not a professor. However, I've had the privilege of being taught by a couple of them.
I love your mindset. A long-term aspiration is critical for sustainable success. You have already narrowed your choices to two options that you are truly interested in and passionate about - which is highly commendable.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor irrespective of your level of qualification. Technical knowledge is just as important as general knowledge - both make us more useful to society.
Personally, I've had the privilege of grooming young engineers into solid professionals at the place of work. It's a very fulfilling experience, especially on seeing someone of them even become better than oneself.
As you have figured out, you'll need a first degree and then higher ones to be able to teach in a university. Eventually, your teaching experience and the research publications you author will enable you to become a professor.
In your quest for knowledge, however, you will need to develop and master some critical skills. One of them is the ability to manage your time in an optimum manner - how well you do this influences how much you achieve each day.
Others include the ability to plan, schedule & execute activities/work; organize; identify and resolve problems; work in teams; communicate effectively, collect, analyze & critically evaluate information.
To be successful, we also need important personal qualities. Some of them are: curiosity, passion for what you do, diligence, commitment, perseverance, positive mindset, willingnesss to take risks, attention to detail, assertiveness, self-drive, empathy etc. These qualities make us emotionally more intelligent thus greatly improving our ability to succeed. Some of them come naturally to some people. Others have to develop them through experience.
A sound grounding in practical knowledge necessarily makes us better teachers.
I truly hope you find this useful.
Best of luck in your studies.