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Career in 3rd Level Lecturing

  • 29-04-2010 11:04am
    #1
    Arddon
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 135 ✭✭


    hello there

    i am interested in pursuing a career in lecturing in 3rd level...can anyone out there advise on the best avenue to go down

    i hold a first class honours degree in mechanical/electronic eng from an irish uni...graduating 7 years ago

    i have since worked in 2 large-ish companies for 4 and 3 years respectively, as a product design engineer and a project/design engineer (there is a difference, believe me!) - anyway my point being that my practice has been predominantly mechanical with a memory dump being performed on the electronic theory!

    so what is my next step...i'm a little "lost" and would be interested in career guidance...oppurtunities in the industry I am currently in are diminishing rapidly and although I have employment now we believe it is a case of when rather than if...hence the need for a change of direction

    are lecturing posts all that common...
    are they offered on contractual or permanent basis...
    what education level does one require (PhD, masters, degree...i guess this will differ from job to job)
    what is the job like (any experience from current lecturers much appreciated)...


Comments

  • #2
    bundaegi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 47 ✭bundaegi


    I've been lecturing in an IT for the past few years, here's my view.
    Arddon wrote: »
    are lecturing posts all that common...

    Lecturing posts are becoming increasingly rare. This is due to the state of the economy and the government's 'employment control framework' which prohibits ITs/Universities from hiring new staff (other than in exceptional circumstances). This is all part of the government's goal to reduce the number of staff in the sector.
    Arddon wrote: »
    are they offered on contractual or permanent basis...

    Most posts advertised these days are for fixed-term contracts; for example, covering maternity leave. Such contracts are not ideal but allow one to get a foot in the door and gain some experience. Permanent contracts are less common.
    Arddon wrote: »
    what education level does one require (PhD, masters, degree...i guess this will differ from job to job)

    This may vary, but a PhD is now effectively a prerequisite for a lecturing post.
    Arddon wrote: »
    what is the job like (any experience from current lecturers much appreciated)...

    The job itself is quite variable, depending on the subjects you're teaching, your grasp of the subject areas, class sizes, the number of subjects you are teaching, class contact hours, etc.


  • #3
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    You could also read the sticky at the top of the forum. :)

    In short - I've been trying to get a lecturing position for about 6-7 years now (and that was during the "Good times") - not a hope in hell. Part-time/evening, yes, full time permanent? Not a hope.


  • #4
    smcgiff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,943 ✭✭✭smcgiff


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    You could also read the sticky at the top of the forum. :)

    In short - I've been trying to get a lecturing position for about 6-7 years now (and that was during the "Good times") - not a hope in hell. Part-time/evening, yes, full time permanent? Not a hope.

    Aren't you being a bit modest, Tom?

    I'd say your lecturing experience in Bahrain will substantially improve your chances in Ireland.

    OP - Check this out. If not your type of engineering at least it'll give you an idea of what is required.

    http://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/vacancies/academic/full-details,98446,en.html

    Good luck


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