Through a series of lectures and responses to questions, a senior lecturer presents college-level material to students in colleges and universities. Although higher-level college degrees are usually required for this job, the level and type of degree varies between educational institutions around the world. A senior lecturer is expected to have exceptional teaching abilities as well as an intuitive sense of how well the material is received by students. Recruiters who hire lecturers frequently look for candidates who have worked professionally and have firsthand experience in the field they teach. A senior lecturer in geology, for example, is likely to have worked in the field of geology previously, either on a project basis or as a career professional.
Senior lecturers at colleges and universities are typically required to have a doctorate degree, also known as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D). He or she will be expected to handle managerial functions in addition to lecturing, such as overseeing the overall teaching program. On a curriculum vitae, a senior lecturer’s required credentials are typically listed (CV). A CV, like a résumé, documents a candidate’s academic experience in detail and may include past work such as academic papers that were published in academic or professional journals. Presentations in front of professional associations, such as lectures, are also likely to be included in the CV.
Senior lecturers have frequently worked in both the business world and higher education over the course of their careers. College recruiters place a premium on lecturers who have firsthand experience in the subject matter they are teaching. Their real-life experiences enrich the learning environment for their students.
Those who want to become a lecturer or senior lecturer will likely stay very engaged in a specific area of academic interest, in addition to obtaining a Master’s or doctorate degree in the field of study. Some schools have very specific criteria for senior lecturers, but many schools lack clear career advancement guidelines in this area. As a result, institutional politics can have a big impact on whether or not lecturers get promoted to senior lecturers.