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Nature of the Work Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and vocational subjects beyond the high school level that may lead to a degree or to improvement in one's knowledge or career skills. These teachers include college and university faculty, postsecondary career and technical education teachers, and graduate teaching assistants. College and university faculty make up the majority of postsecondary teachers. They teach and advise more than 16 million full- and part-time college students and perform a significant part of our Nation's research. Faculty also keep up with new developments in their field and may consult with government, business, nonprofit, and community organizations. Faculty usually are organized into departments or divisions, based on academic subject or field. They usually teach several different related courses in their subject—algebra, calculus, and statistics, for example. They may instruct undergraduate or graduate students, or both. College and university faculty may give lectures to several hundred students in large halls, lead small seminars, or supervise students in laboratories. They prepare lectures, exercises, and laboratory experiments; grade exams and papers; and advise and work with students individually. In universities, they also supervise graduate students' teaching and research. College faculty work with an increasingly varied student population made up of growing shares of part-time, older, and culturally and racially diverse students. Faculty keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences. They may also do their own research to expand knowledge in their field. They may perform experiments; collect and analyze data; and examine original documents, literature, and other source material. From this process, they arrive at conclusions, and publish their findings in scholarly journals, books, and electronic media. Most college and university faculty extensively use computer technology, including the Internet; e-mail; CD-ROMs; and software programs, such as statistical packages. They may use computers in the classroom as teaching aids and may post course content, class notes, class schedules, and other information on the Internet. The use of e-mail, chat rooms, and other techniques has greatly improved communications between students and teachers and among students Some faculty use the Internet to teach courses to students at remote sites. These so-called "distance learning" courses are an increasingly popular option for non-traditional students such as working adults. While more convenient for students, faculty who teach these courses must be able to adapt existing courses to make them successful online or design a new course that takes advantage of the format. Most faculty members serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with the policies of their institution, departmental matters, academic issues, curricula, budgets, equipment purchases, and hiring. Some work with student and community organizations. Department chairpersons are faculty members who usually teach some courses but have heavier administrative responsibilities. The proportion of time spent on research, teaching, administrative, and other duties varies by individual circumstance and type of institution. Faculty members at universities normally spend a significant part of their time doing research; those in 4-year colleges, somewhat less; and those in 2-year colleges, relatively little. The teaching load, however, often is heavier in 2-year colleges and somewhat lighter at 4-year institutions. Full professors at all types of institutions usually spend a larger portion of their time conducting research than do assistant professors, instructors, and lecturers. In addition to traditional 2- and 4-year institutions, an increasing number of faculty work in alternative schools or in programs that are aimed at providing career-related education for working adults. Courses are usually offered online or on nights and weekends. Faculty at these programs generally work part time and are only responsible for teaching, with little to no administrative and research responsibilities. Postsecondary vocational education teachers, also known as postsecondary career and technical education teachers, provide instruction for occupations that require specialized training, but may not require a 4-year degree, such as welder, dental hygienist, x-ray technician, auto mechanic, and cosmetologist. Classes often are taught in an industrial or laboratory setting where students are provided hands-on experience. For example, welding instructors show students various welding techniques and essential safety practices, watch them use tools and equipment, and have them repeat procedures until they meet the specific standards required by the trade. Increasingly, career and technical education teachers are integrating academic and vocational curriculums so that students obtain a variety of skills that can be applied to the "real world." Career and technical education teachers have many of the same responsibilities that other college and university faculty have. They must prepare lessons, grade papers, attend faculty meetings, and keep abreast of developments in their field. Career and technical education teachers at community colleges and career and technical schools also often play a key role in students' transition from school to work by helping to establish internship programs for students and by facilitating contact between students and prospective employers. Graduate teaching assistants, often referred to as graduate TAs, assist faculty, department chairs, or other professional staff at colleges and universities by performing teaching or teaching-related duties. In addition to their work responsibilities, assistants have their own school commitments, as they are also students who are working towards earning a graduate degree, such as a Ph.D. Some teaching assistants have full responsibility for teaching a course—usually one that is introductory in nature—which can include preparation of lectures and exams, and assigning final grades to students. Others provide assistance to faculty members, which may consist of a variety of tasks such as grading papers, monitoring exams, holding office hours or help-sessions for students, conducting laboratory sessions, or administering quizzes to the class. Teaching assistants generally meet initially with the faculty member whom they are going to assist in order to determine exactly what is expected of them, as each faculty member may have his or her own needs. For example, some faculty members prefer assistants to sit in on classes, while others assign them other tasks to do during class time. Graduate teaching assistants may work one-on-one with a faculty member or, for large classes, they may be one of several assistants.
Common Tasks
| Task | Level of Importance | Frequency |
| Prepare course materials such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts. |  4.46 | | | Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers. |  4.44 | | | Keep abreast of developments in their field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences. |  4.43 | | | Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate and/or graduate students on topics such as crop production, plant genetics, and soil chemistry. |  4.41 | | | Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions. |  4.36 | | | Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge, and publish findings in professional journals, books, and/or electronic media. |  4.28 | | | Supervise laboratory sessions and field work, and coordinate laboratory operations. |  4.26 | | | Supervise undergraduate and/or graduate teaching, internship, and research work. |  4.20 | | | Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others. |  4.13 | | | Advise students on academic and vocational curricula, and on career issues. |  4.08 | | | Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction. |  4.05 | | | Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records. |  3.97 | | | Write grant proposals to procure external research funding. |  3.96 | | | Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues. |  3.95 | | | Maintain regularly scheduled office hours in order to advise and assist students. |  3.90 | | | Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities. |  3.64 | | | Select and obtain materials and supplies such as textbooks and laboratory equipment. | 3.64 | | | Act as advisers to student organizations. |  3.28 | | | Perform administrative duties such as serving as department head. |  3.26 | | | Participate in campus and community events. |  3.22 | | | Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues. |  3.18 | | | Provide professional consulting services to government and/or industry. |  3.09 | | | Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments. |  2.89 | |
Work Activities
| | Importance | | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | [ ? ] |  4.57 | | Analyzing Data or Information | [ ? ] |  4.37 | | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | [ ? ] |  4.32 | | Interacting With Computers | [ ? ] |  4.27 | | Thinking Creatively | [ ? ] | 4.26 | | Getting Information | [ ? ] |  4.25 | | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | [ ? ] | 4.25 | | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | [ ? ] |  4.21 | | Training and Teaching Others | [ ? ] |  4.19 | | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | [ ? ] |  4.18 | | Processing Information | [ ? ] |  4.16 | | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | [ ? ] | 4.05 | | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | [ ? ] | 3.96 | | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | [ ? ] |  3.94 | | Coaching and Developing Others | [ ? ] | 3.94 | | Developing Objectives and Strategies | [ ? ] | 3.90 | | Documenting/Recording Information | [ ? ] |  3.87 | | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | [ ? ] |  3.86 | | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | [ ? ] |  3.81 | | Scheduling Work and Activities | [ ? ] | 3.81 | | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | [ ? ] |  3.51 | | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | [ ? ] |  3.48 | | Provide Consultation and Advice to Others | [ ? ] |  3.43 | | Monitoring and Controlling Resources | [ ? ] |  3.39 | | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | [ ? ] |  3.31 | | Developing and Building Teams | [ ? ] |  3.29 | | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | [ ? ] |  3.08 | | Selling or Influencing Others | [ ? ] |  3.03 | | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | [ ? ] |  3.02 | | Performing Administrative Activities | [ ? ] |  2.80 | | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | [ ? ] |  2.75 | | Assisting and Caring for Others | [ ? ] |  2.68 | | Staffing Organizational Units | [ ? ] | 2.68 | | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | [ ? ] |  2.66 | | Controlling Machines and Processes | [ ? ] |  2.40 | | Performing General Physical Activities | [ ? ] |  2.38 | | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | [ ? ] |  2.31 | | Handling and Moving Objects | [ ? ] |  2.25 | | Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.96 | | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.93 | | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.89 |
| | | Level | | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge | [ ? ] |  5.92 | | Processing Information | [ ? ] |  5.61 | | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work | [ ? ] |  5.51 | | Analyzing Data or Information | [ ? ] |  5.50 | | Training and Teaching Others | [ ? ] |  5.41 | | Thinking Creatively | [ ? ] |  5.38 | | Getting Information | [ ? ] |  5.23 | | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others | [ ? ] |  5.12 | | Making Decisions and Solving Problems | [ ? ] |  5.08 | | Communicating with Persons Outside Organization | [ ? ] |  5.06 | | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates | [ ? ] |  4.98 | | Coaching and Developing Others | [ ? ] |  4.97 | | Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People | [ ? ] |  4.96 | | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships | [ ? ] |  4.92 | | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events | [ ? ] |  4.90 | | Scheduling Work and Activities | [ ? ] |  4.89 | | Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings | [ ? ] |  4.82 | | Developing Objectives and Strategies | [ ? ] |  4.53 | | Provide Consultation and Advice to Others | [ ? ] |  4.45 | | Monitoring and Controlling Resources | [ ? ] |  4.32 | | Documenting/Recording Information | [ ? ] |  4.29 | | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates | [ ? ] |  4.18 | | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others | [ ? ] |  4.11 | | Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information | [ ? ] |  3.98 | | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public | [ ? ] |  3.83 | | Interacting With Computers | [ ? ] |  3.82 | | Selling or Influencing Others | [ ? ] |  3.58 | | Developing and Building Teams | [ ? ] |  3.56 | | Staffing Organizational Units | [ ? ] |  3.40 | | Performing Administrative Activities | [ ? ] |  3.32 | | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards | [ ? ] |  3.30 | | Handling and Moving Objects | [ ? ] |  3.22 | | Assisting and Caring for Others | [ ? ] |  3.14 | | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others | [ ? ] | 3.14 | | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material | [ ? ] |  3.01 | | Controlling Machines and Processes | [ ? ] |  3.00 | | Performing General Physical Activities | [ ? ] |  2.69 | | Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.95 | | Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.85 | | Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.74 | | Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment | [ ? ] |  1.65 |
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