Career Call: Do You Aspire A Career in Academics?

One may have come across the proverb, “those who can’t do, teach” but ask a teacher and they’ll tell you otherwise. A job of teacher or a professor is that which not only requires an individual to be a master of their craft, but unmatched commitment, passion and the sense of service – to train the youth as well.

Sunil Jaiswal, Assistant Professor at Swami Shraddhanand College, Delhi University speaks about his journey.

What made you choose academics as a profession? What or who inspired you to take up teaching?

Since the very beginning, I was drawn to guiding my juniors and batchmates which led me to opt academics as my profession. I believe there is "no knowledge without college". I don’t have a family background in teaching but I was deeply inspired by my professors, especially Prof. Subhash Anand, Prof. Ram Babu Singh and Prof. Daljit Singh. I learnt a lot from these three professors. Their teaching style was different. They teach in a fun way and take care of each and every student sitting in the class. Their cordial nature, way of teaching and making students understand the hardest of concepts easily are unmatchable. The respect they got from the students kindled a spark in me to pursue a career in teaching.

What are the major changes you think have happened in the profession of teaching?

Since I am new into this profession, I can’t comment much on this. However, some of the changes that I have witnessed over the years when I was a student and now, when I am teaching, is that technology has overtaken the old method of teaching. Nowadays, there are projectors, mic, PPT, smart boards etc. that are used by professors to teach which weren't there 7-8 years back. Students mark their attendance by sending mails, they even submit their tasks etc. on email. WhatsApp has become a major source of communication between class students and teachers.

At school level, there is a lot of talk of AI and technology aiding teaching. Is this also possible for college students, especially in your subject?

Yes, it's possible with the aid and funds from the UGG and College Administration. Well right now there is a shortage of funds in the entire Delhi University but still colleges do have that infrastructure to provide it to the students and meet their required needs.

Students often feel teachers don’t prepare before taking the lecture. Give us some insight into how this is untrue.

Professors do prepare for their class before going to take one. Those who have been teaching for a long time don’t need to prepare much as they are habituated to teaching, know what students can ask pertaining to the topic/chapter. New joinees like me prepare very well before a class as failing to answer any query of the students may result in embarrassment. Experience and in depth knowledge of your subject is the key.

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Teaching is often considered to be a stress free job, complete with various public holidays, vacations etc. Is it really a laid-back career? What are the challenges you as a teacher have to face/overcome?

Under employment and unavailability of jobs is the biggest threat in the career of teaching. Even after PhD, there are many scholars who are roaming around for jobs. This is a vulnerable condition in the entire education system.

If one has to take up teaching at a university like DU, what are the qualifications required? Do they need to give any exams to become a professor at DU?

The eligibility criteria varies from department to department. There is a score in the academics i.e. API (Academic Performance Index) which are calculated through a criteria set by the university like MPhil degree holders- 7 points, NET exam-8 points and NET with JRF will give 10 points and so on.

We don't need to give any exams but yes, we must fulfil the minimum criteria of the University.

Is it a lucrative career option? What is the career trajectory – the highest post one can reach and how can one get there?

As I have already written above, the respect and the position in University depends on the work and experience.

Salary per month:

Assistant Professor- 1 lakhs approx

Associate Professor- 2.5 lakhs approx

Professor- 3.65 lakhs approx

(These days, temporary/contractual/adhoc assistant professors get paid on hourly or class basis i.e., they don’t get a fixed salary.)

And other incentives like if they went to conduct any interviews or for viva-voce of PhD students.