What is it like to be a professor?

Question

I wish to become a Prof of Philosophy, but I feel as if I don't have a clear understanding of what it means to be a Prof in general. Do Professors have any free time, and if so how often? I understand you must attend conferences if you are a professor, and write articles and do research, which I don't mind, but how often must one do this. And I guess the end all question I am asking is, what is it like to be a professor? And if you are one, what do you think of it as an occupation?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You'll need a PhD in philosophy to apply for a job as a college professor. It's a very competitive job to get; only about 10% or less of philosophy PhDs will ever get a full-time job as a professor. There simply aren't nearly enough jobs for all the PhDs granted. So don't do a PhD without a backup plan for an alternative career, and don't do a PhD if you'll only 'not mind' doing research, but unless you love it. Because a PhD is 4-10 years of graduate school doing pretty much nothing but studying and trying to make an original contribution to your field. Many schools hire more based on your publication record than your ability to teach. Once you've gotten a job, you need to teach, but to keep that job by getting tenure, you need to continue to publish - and depending on your school, that might be during your 'free' time (as in, weekends, holidays, and nights). It's a great job if you love your research and teaching, but it's not an easy job to get or hold on to, and it can be very stressful and demanding.

Source(s):

college professor