University Professor

National Occupation Classification Code: 4121
Employment Outlook: Average growth plus employment turnover
Minimum Educational Requirement: 8+ years post-secondary education/training
Search Educational Institutions in Alberta for Training Programs: EDinfo

NEED TO KNOW:

NEED TO KNOW:

Can I practice as a University Professor right away?

Yes. If you have the academic and knowledge expertise required by the university, you may be employed as a university professor. Almost all university professors have a doctoral degree and have interest in research and theories in their areas of knowledge.

What are the duties for this occupation?

University professors teach in various classroom settings ranging from 20 students to 400. They may be in a small room or large theatre-style facility. They educate students in 4 or 5-year degree programs in a specific field of study.

They develop curriculum following the program guidelines of the university and also conduct research, keep up-to-date on trends and establish/maintain contacts with industrial or business sectors. Attending and perhaps speaking at workshops, seminars and refresher courses are also necessary for professors to remain current in both their field of expertise and in the trends of teaching.

In the classroom, professors deliver comprehensive lessons, tutorials, exams and assignments using a variety of instructional techniques (lectures, demonstrations, laboratory work, field assignments).

Some of the non-instructional duties that professors perform include: preparing teaching materials/handouts; marking exams and assignments; setting up audio-video equipment used during lecture time; and providing counsel to students who may need extra help or guidance on an assignment.

University professors differ from Vocational/College instructors in that they typically perform some research in their areas of expertise, publish their ideas and perspectives, and supervise graduate students who are in Masters programs.

What titles or specialization areas correspond to this occupation?

The University of Calgary offers degree programs, collaborative programs, internships and continuing education.

Communication and Culture

Education

Engineering

Environmental Design

Fine Arts

Haskayne School of Business

Humanities

Kinesiology

Law

Medicine

Nursing

Science

Social Sciences

Social Work

Veterinary Medicine

 

However, other fields and areas of study are offered as well through their other programs.

www.ucalgary.ca

What educational institutions offer the Post Doctoral degree?

In Calgary, only the University of Calgary has doctoral programs required for individuals to pursue a career in university teaching. Visit the faculty of your teaching field for information on their Doctoral degrees: www.ucalgary.ca 
*Search Post-Secondary Educational Institutions in Alberta to see all programs and courses offered to individuals pursuing a teaching career in Alberta: Alberta Learning Information Service - EDinfo

What salary can I expect?

Salaries for University of Calgary professors are based

Rank/Position/

Title

2005-2006

effective July 1, 2005

2006-2007

effective July 1, 2006

Non-Medical

Medical

Non-Medical

Medical

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Assistant Professor

55,214

83,971

55,214

83,971

56,871

86,491

56,871

86,491

Associate Professor

- Range A

- Range B

 

 

66,718

94,325

 

 

94,324

101,225

 

 

66,718

94,325

 

 

94,324

111,577

 

 

82,936

97,155

 

 

100,708

104,262

 

 

82,936

97,155

 

 

110,186

114,925

Professor

- Range A

- Range B

- Range C

- Range D

 

80,520

97,775

112,729

>143,785

 

97,774

112,728

143,785

 

80,520

106,977

120,781

>143,785

 

106,976

120,780

143,785

 

82,936

100,709

116,111

>148,099

 

100,708

116,110

148,099

 

82,936

110,187

124,405

>148,099

 

110,186

124,404

148,099

Source: TUCFA Collective Agreement (July 1, 2004 - June 30, 2007)

According to the �Salaries and Salary Scales of Full-time Teaching staff at Canadian Universities, 2003-2004� report by Statistics Canada, University of Calgary:

*Full Professors had an average salary of $123,531
*Associate Professors had an average salary of $93,976

What is the employment outlook in Calgary?

The employment outlook in Calgary is average, with normal employment turnover. The University of Calgary has current openings and the demand for post-secondary education is every expanding.

The university is in the process of considering the development of a downtown campus, but plans have not been finalized yet. For teaching opportunities with the University of Calgary, visit their Human Resources webpage

These are some trends in Calgary�s post-secondary education industry that may negatively affect the demand for university education and professors:

*increased demand for 1-year diplomas and certificates by people re-entering the workforce, changing careers, or graduating from high school
*a trend towards non-traditional education programs developed to result in �ready-to-work� graduates
*Calgary�s university is reaching its capacity, encouraging high school students to explore alternative post-secondary education programs

What do employers expect beyond technical skills?

University professors have excellent oral and written communication skills. They are experts in their fields of instruction and have the desire to encourage their students to pursue a career in their area of studies. Furthermore, since university education is often 4 to 5 years or more, professors must remain up to date and current with changing societal and economical trends to ensure that students graduate with labour market relevant knowledge.

Professors also possess a passion for their subject or skill area and strive to assist their students in finding their own aspirations through projects and research assignments.

Job responsibilities such as supervising students and participating in community or research initiatives require that professors are active with students and external organizations. They are held in high regard and respected in the community. Since 2002, the University Professorship awards have been created to recognize the achievement of professors at the University of Calgary.

READ MORE�Employer Expectations and Soft Skills

NEED TO DO:

Start Your Path to Becoming a University Professor

1. Start looking for job openings

Visit the University of Calgary career website to see if any professor teaching positions are posted. If none of the positions are in your faculty, then proceed to your faculty�s homepage at the U of C to learn more about the staff and courses in your area of expertise.

You may also want to consider assistant/associate professor positions, as well as sessional and part-time instructor positions.

Depending on your years of experience and published works or industry experience (business schools typically hire people who have been employed in the business sector), you may need a few years of experience before applying for full professor openings.

2. Gather and organize your transcripts, published works and curriculum vitae

A curriculum vitae (CV) is the traditional standard for presenting your qualifications for academic employment. Most higher education institutions will accept this format of application for all teaching, research, and administrative positions.

The kinds of information that should be on your CV include:

*Ph.D. Degree Concentration and Dissertation
*M.A. Degree Major and Thesis
*any postdoctoral training
*fellowships
*internships
*licenses/certification
*publications
*papers presented
*professional affiliations
*grants/awards
*professional work, teaching and research experience
*any additional skills you may have (language, software, interpersonal, etc.)

Research Career Options and Stay Connected

**Learn about the academic institutes that employ university professors. Although there is only one university in Calgary, there are some degree granting colleges such as St. Mary�s College and DeVry Institute of Technology.

Read more about Post-Secondary Institutions in Calgary and visit their career pages for employment opportunities.

*Connect with associations and professional organizations that work with university professors

- The Faculty Association of the University of Calgary
- Canadian Association of University Teachers