Beyond lecturing, the job includes preparing syllabi and course materials, leading and moderating classroom discussion, and writing and grading exams and assignments, or overseeing others who do. Teachers also maintain student records and periodically revise their curriculum and course content to keep it current with the field. Some split their time between teaching and research rather than teaching full time, and the work is fairly structured around a fixed academic calendar and course schedule. A PhD in the relevant field is typically required to teach at this level.
Pros
Relatively large field with 2,700 positions nationwide compared to many postsecondary specialties
Work centers on shaping curricula and mentoring students rather than routine repetition
Subject matter (media, journalism, PR) stays current and relevant to evolving industries
Cons
Above-average hours, expect more than a standard 40-hour work week
Only modest projected growth (2.1%), roughly in line with average
Requires a PhD, a long path before qualifying for a tenure-track role
A typical day
A 9:30 lecture on media law opens the teaching day — sixty undergrads, a case study on a recent libel suit, and discussion that has to be steered without being smothered. Office hours follow: a student wants feedback on a podcast project, another needs a recommendation letter for a PR internship. The afternoon belongs to the other half of the job — revising a journal article on political communication that came back with reviewer comments, prepping next week's broadcast-writing workshop, and a curriculum committee meeting about the new social media analytics course. Grading stacks up on the train home; the thinking work happens whenever it can.
Tasks at the job
Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
There's a regular, moderate amount of time pressure, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures.