Lecturers provide tuition and guidance to students at the tertiary level of education, in a specialized field. Literally hundreds of subjects, each with its own requirements, are taught at college, university of technology or university. These requirements differ from one tertiary educational institution to another.
Lecturers are responsible for the preparation and presentation of their lectures. They have to prepare examination papers, invigilate at examinations and mark examination papers. Depending on their field of study, lecturers may be required to guide senior students in their independent study research.
To be well informed, lecturers need to continuously try to uphold a culture of studying and reading publications, papers and articles relating to their field of study. Conducting research is a very important aspect of most lecturers' work and it is usually expected of them that they publish their own results, which is important for promotion, in addition to acting as research counsellors to their students.
Depending on their field and the institution where they are employed, they may work with a large group of students, or give individual training to a single student.
As lectures are usually given in lecture halls, they mostly work indoors. However, again depending on their field, they may have to give some training outdoors. The nature of lecturers' or their students' research will determine where it has to be conducted. The circumstances under which research is undertaken vary enormously, depending on the field of study and specialization.
Being a lecturer often enables a person to undertake study tours or attend symposia and conferences. Excellent opportunities for contact with other experts in their field of specialization are thus available.
Satisfying Aspects
- seeing students develop and research in your field
- good working conditions and hours of work
- being able to research and lecture in your field of interest
- some travel opportunities to meet other experts
Demanding aspects
- marking assignments and examination papers
- not very high remuneration
- dealing with difficult students and colleagues
Requirements
- excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
- good intellect and interest in your specific field of study
- research orientation
- great deal of patience and tactfulness.
- high level of responsibility
- prepared to undertake long and difficult post-graduate studies
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: subjects related to field of interest.
Recommended Subjects: subjects complementary to your field of interest
Training
Degree: Bachelors degree, followed by at least two post-graduate degrees
Post-graduate or advanced tertiary qualifications are required for lecturing. An honours degree is rarely sufficient. Usually a masters or doctors degree is required. Experience in teaching may be a requirement as well. Lecturers are expected to constantly better their qualifications, in order to acquaint themselves with developments in their field of study.
There are mainly two options for acquiring training as a professional lecturer: either by in-service training or by attending formal courses. Most tertiary institutions offer in-service training facilities for their lecturers. Courses for lecturers in specific subjects are available both at universities and universities of technology.
Employer
Career opportunities and prospects are usually bright, depending on the field of study and specialization. The level at which a person is appointed varies from lecturer to full professor, depending on qualifications and experience.
Qualified lecturers, with the necessary experience in their field, can give private classes from their homes.
Contact
Additional information may be obtained from the above-mentioned universities or universities of technology.