Is this realistic

DJDC

I have heard a lot about people saying how hard it is to get a job in lecturing but I feel it is possible to get an lecturing job by the age of 26/27 as follows:
1)Get a top class Leaving cert (570+ points)
2)Then spend 4 years doing a degree and end up with a 1.1.
3)The do a PHd in a top class institution like Imperial,Oxford or Cambrige(this is possible if you are good enough).
4)Do a post doc.
5)Get a lecturing job.

Timespan = Undergrad(4 years)+PHd (3 years)+Postdoc(1/2 years)
So if you started college at 18,you can be in a lecturing job by 26/27.

Trotter

DJDC wrote:

I have heard a lot about people saying how hard it is to get a job in lecturing but I feel it is possible to get an lecturing job by the age of 26/27 as follows:
1)Get a top class Leaving cert (570+ points)
2)Then spend 4 years doing a degree and end up with a 1.1.
3)The do a PHd in a top class institution like Imperial,Oxford or Cambrige(this is possible if you are good enough).
4)Do a post doc.
5)Get a lecturing job.

Timespan = Undergrad(4 years)+PHd (3 years)+Postdoc(1/2 years)
So if you started college at 18,you can be in a lecturing job by 26/27.

Id say that the scenario there is far from typical when it comes to lecturing appointments. In my experience, you do a good degree, get your name known in a department, do a postgrad and do some lecturing hours, and once you graduate.. you get an assistant lecturer position.

Thats how I've seen it happen most often anyway.

Tom Dunne

DJDC wrote:

I have heard a lot about people saying how hard it is to get a job in lecturing but I feel it is possible to get an lecturing job by the age of 26/27 as follows:
1)Get a top class Leaving cert (570+ points)
2)Then spend 4 years doing a degree and end up with a 1.1.
3)The do a PHd in a top class institution like Imperial,Oxford or Cambrige(this is possible if you are good enough).
4)Do a post doc.
5)Get a lecturing job.

Timespan = Undergrad(4 years)+PHd (3 years)+Postdoc(1/2 years)
So if you started college at 18,you can be in a lecturing job by 26/27.

In an ideal world maybe. But there are two fundamental problems with your method:

Dept. of Education stipulates that you must have 3 years industrial experience after your primary degree. I'm not sure research would count.

You assume that there are plenty of jobs available. Simple fact is that there aren't. Permanent job opportunities are as rare as trains leaving Kent station.

snickerpuss

Industrial experience i assume is only for jobs with an industry like computers etc unlike the humanities? (without sounding stupid) Like if i do art history i can't very well get industry experience of that cos its theory and criticism.
So i assume it doesn't apply to humanities subjects?

eruanna

Two of my MPhil lecturers are 28-30 and I think it's their first year in a permanent position. In Arts a lot of degrees are three years, so that would help younger people too. I have just turned 21 and have a BA and MPhil (almost!) - so I could theoretically get a PHD and postdoc by 24 and a half or 25. The problem would be getting the job - but it's possible - if rather unlikely.

I did start college at 17 though which probably helps.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

i was lecturing in DIT at 24! didn't do a particularly good job though!

think you just need to get your PhD finished. If you are in a non-science field then assume that it will take you longer than three years. virtually no-one finishes in 3 years. 4.5 years is average in Trinity.

depends on where you apply to aswell - with a good postdoc you are talking about having your choice of the top irish unis. Being in a good institution is almost as important as getting a job in the first place. It helps your research publications be accepted, and opens up other avenues for side-work.

also, thank you for posting this, it reminds me i only have two or three days more to submit an application for a postdoc!

DJDC

As a roundtower put it

with a good postdoc you are talking about having your choice of the top irish unis

I dont think the 3 years industrial experience is that crucial for universities,only for IT's.I feel a university will take a PHd from a top university over a average PHd with 3 years industrial experience.

dingding

The 3 years experience is generally for a permanent appointment.

However most assistant lecturers would I expect start in their mid 30's.

It depends very munch on the area. A PhD would be expected in the humanities and sciences. In Business, Engineering and Computing, it would be less common, however you would need to demonstrate at interview a path to a PhD.