School's prestige / Publication / PI - to be a professor?

ParAlum
Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:21:58 +0000

Another question: Why do you wish to be a professor?
Do you wish to be primarily
a) a teacher
b) a researcher.
C) don’t care-just want tenure!
The answer directly affects what type of graduate program you probably wish to join.

For professors at smaller schools with small or no graduate students (LACs), teaching is the largest portion of being a professor with research being necessary but a secondary activity
For professors at large universities with strong graduate programs, research is the primary activity of a professor: specifically pushing the boundaries of knowledge in the specific research field. Teaching is secondary, but does occur- graduate students apprentice with the professor and the professor also likely teaches undergraduates and/or professional field students.