So, What is a Visiting Professor Job?
A visiting professor job is a temporary teaching position at a college or university, often for a single semester or academic year. Visiting professors are typically hired to fill in for regular faculty members who are on sabbatical, medical leave, or involved in other academic pursuits. These positions are sometimes referred to as "adjunct" or "part-time" positions, but they can also be full-time appointments. Visiting professors are expected to have expertise in a particular subject area and to be able to teach courses at the undergraduate or graduate level.
What Usually Happens in This Position?
As a visiting professor, your main responsibility is to teach courses in your area of expertise. This may involve developing lesson plans, lecturing, leading discussions, assigning and grading assignments and exams, and providing feedback to students. You may also be asked to participate in departmental meetings, serve on committees, and advise students. In some cases, you may be expected to conduct research or publish scholarly articles as part of your appointment.
Top 5 Skills for the Visiting Professor Position
To be successful in a visiting professor position, you should possess the following skills:
- Expertise in your subject area
- Effective communication skills to engage students and convey course material
- Organizational skills to manage course materials, assignments, and grading
- Adaptability to work in a new academic environment
- Collaborative skills to work with other faculty members and staff
How to Become a Visiting Professor?
To become a visiting professor, you typically need to have a doctoral degree in your subject area or a related field. You should also have teaching experience, either as a graduate teaching assistant or as a full-time faculty member at another institution. Networking with other academics and attending conferences can also help you make connections and find opportunities for visiting professor positions.
Average Salary for Visiting Professors
Visiting professor salaries can vary depending on the institution, subject area, and the length of the appointment. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a visiting professor in the United States is around $60,000 per year.
Roles and Types of Visiting Professor Positions
Visiting professor positions can be found at a variety of institutions, including community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and research universities. Some visiting professor positions are full-time appointments, while others are part-time or adjunct positions. In some cases, visiting professors may be hired specifically to teach online courses or to lead study abroad programs. Some visiting professor positions are also designed for professionals in fields such as business or the arts to share their expertise with students.
Locations with the Most Popular Visiting Professor Jobs in the USA
Visiting professor positions can be found at colleges and universities across the United States. Some of the top locations for these positions include California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. However, opportunities can be found nationwide, and some institutions offer remote or online visiting professor positions.
What Are the Typical Tools Used by Visiting Professors?
As a visiting professor, you will typically need access to a variety of tools and resources to effectively teach your courses. These may include textbooks, course materials, lecture slides, and digital resources such as learning management systems and online research databases. You may also need to use tools for video conferencing or online collaboration to interact with students and other faculty members.
In Conclusion
Visiting professor jobs can be a rewarding opportunity for academics and professionals to share their expertise with students and gain valuable teaching experience. By possessing the necessary skills, networking, and pursuing advanced degrees, you can position yourself for success in this type of position. With the right approach and a passion for teaching, you can make a meaningful impact as a visiting professor in the academic community.