Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education

Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education is responsible for teaching and guiding students from graduation or diploma levels. They also encourage students to build their overall personality and shine in academics. They assess the student's performance and guide them to achieve better results.

Various roles played by an Assistant Professor at different levels are as given below:

• Research Instructor: Guides students aspiring to get a Doctoral degree or Ph.D. in their research and follows up on the progress.
• Visiting Professor: Visits multiple colleges and universities to teach students when called upon and imparts expertise gained in the field to the students.
• Head of the Department: Looks after the proper division of work among the faculty working in the particular department. They are also responsible for effective delegation.

Some of the roles and responsibilities of the Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education are:

• Setting daily, monthly, and quarterly targets to cover the prescribed syllabus. Planning the study resources and mode of teaching.
• Assessing the performance of the students in tests and examinations. Guiding them in academics and career choice by giving reliable inputs. Mentoring the students’ personality development and skillset enrichment.
• Maintaining the record of the marks scored by the students. Recording the coverage of the syllabus daily to keep tracking progress as per the plan.
• Help the Principal or the Dean in the administrative work related to the educational institution. Assist the Head of the Department in managing the academic schedule.

Below are the qualifications to be possessed by an Assistant Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education:

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in science, commerce, management, arts, education, or any related subject.
• Should have completed Post-graduation and hold a Doctoral degree.
• Must have cleared competitive exams like NET (National Eligibility Test), etc.

The career advancement of an Assistant Professor takes about ten to fifteen years to reach the highest position, like that of the Vice-Chancellor. The intermediate positions include Professor, Senior Professor, Head of the Department, Dean, and Director. Clearing competitive exams like NET and SET would give an edge over the peers and help to fetch an attractive salary. Various alternative job profiles that an Assistant Professor can consider are mentioned here:

• Curriculum Planner: Designs and develops educational curricula to enhance student learning and achievement.
• Educational Advisor: Provides guidance and support to students in their academic journey, helping them make informed decisions about their educational goals and future career paths.
• Educational Consultant: Offers expert advice and assistance to educational institutions and organizations, helping them improve their policies, programs, and overall performance.
• Human Resource Manager: Oversees the recruitment, hiring, and development of employees, ensuring effective workforce management and fostering a positive and productive work environment.
• Skill development trainer: Conducts training and workshops to enhance individuals' skill sets and competencies, enabling personal and professional growth.
• Life Coach: Provides guidance, motivation, and support to individuals in achieving their personal and professional goals, helping them unlock their full potential.
• Private Tutor: Offers personalized instruction and academic support to students, helping them improve their knowledge and skills in specific subjects or areas.
• Corporate Trainer: Delivers training programs and workshops to enhance employees' skills, knowledge, and performance, contributing to organizational growth and success.
• Author: Writes and publishes books, articles, and other literary works, showcasing creativity and expertise in a specific subject or genre.
• Editor: Reviews, revises, and refines written content, ensuring its accuracy, clarity, and quality for publication.
• Administrative ranks like Secretary, President, etc.: Holds leadership positions and manages administrative responsibilities, ensuring smooth operations and effective decision-making within the organization.
• Career Counselor: Guides and assists individuals in identifying and pursuing suitable career paths, providing career advice, assessments, and resources.

A career as an Assistant Professor in India gives tremendous career progression and offers ease of transition. There is a dire need for many Assistant Professors in India. About 864 universities and more than 5,500 colleges face teacher shortages and low student-teacher ratios.
India has the largest higher education sector in the world owing to a large young population and zeal to learn. The Government of India is taking all the necessary steps to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio.
India has around 580 million people in the learning age group, which gives tremendous opportunities for the growth of the education sector. With the increase in student enrolments, there will be an increase in demand for Assistant Professors across the country.