What it's Like to be a College Professor

[@janepilecki8083]

How happy and excited you are when you are talking about your job. How fortunate you are that you found the right profession/job for yourself. I used to feel the same excitement and joy when talking about my job as a nurse. I'm retired now. But we are among the lucky ones.

[@KingJL25]

Super cool that you talk about this. Having something that intellectually stimulates you as your job is something I can only imagine beeing the one of best feelings in the world. Knowing that you know basically nothing is something alot more people need to realize.

[@KingJL25]

Something that bothers me alot is the funding problem and publishing. No matter how good you are, if you do not know the right people who help you and you can't publish in the "important" journals.. nobody cares.. nobody gives you funding - but you still have to do it.

[@businessman1912]

"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month." - Dostoevsky

[@Michael.Chapman]

Nice to hear you are doing well and also to understand your excellent academic journey. I remember my father in law, a surgical oncologist who was President of International Cancer Societies and similar organisations (he never had a hobby or read any book but a medical text or journal). However, he was 'held' to the level of Associate Professor for over a decade by his 'Senior' who had technical disagreements regarding advancement of cancer therapy--specifically a treatment called regional chemotherapy. I think he was much more in theatre operating than teaching. This obviously impacted his entire family. He published hundreds of research journal articles and a number of Cancer books designed for normal sufferers (like us--my own Dad read his prostate cancer book the night before he was wheeled in for a trans-urethral resection). Eventually, he attained full Professorship, Professor Emeritus and the Medal of Australia Honour. In earlier career he was one of very few to achieve a Master of Surgery and a Doctor of Medicine (MD / PhD) in the same year at Sydney University (also working in San Francisco). He saved so many grateful people and is one of the lesser known, but greatest examples, I look up to :-)

[@glennkelley6096]

Explaining is not complaining .

[@horsetowater]

I love your attitude. I'm always learning; formative and summative. Evaluated by everyone everyday - patients and colleagues alike. Work stimulates me as do my hobbies. We are fortunate people.

[@sandyl3952]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on ‘What it’s Like to be a College Professor’. Forty-four years ago when I was in my early 30s and struggling to get my Bachelor’s degree, I met a psychology professor with similar ideas. He has always been a beacon for me. I went on to work in a state prison system for nearly 30 years, getting a Master’s degree along the way. I can honestly say that he had a profound impact on my life and my life-long learning. Your students are very lucky to have you. I am certain that you will serve as a life beacon for many of them. Thank you for what you do.

[@drnomad16]

Very interesting and accurate summation. When I was in academia, the one thing I enjoyed least was the bureaucracy and politics!

[@UKxKDH]

Wow I love that you’re a professor! Thank you for sharing!

[@peterhofmann8292]

Stephen, interesting the differentiation between University vs. College positions. Super interesting, how a lot of the things you touch on are also applicable to jobs in the private sector (minus the years earning a PhD). In the end everyday one learns something new, whether talking to colleagues who have different disciplines and co-workers who have different point of view

[@frankbruno7122]

This was fabulous Stephen.. I enjoyed learning the differences between the teaching and research functions that faculty focus on in different institutions. When I was a city manager the council members would always expect every community problem to be addressed by our local university.. the university of Colorado Boulder.. but, as you point out.. faculty would not be evaluated on the basis of working with the community. I'll bet all institutions have in common the love for the administration. I served as vice chancellor at CU Boulder. Big title, little power as compared with a Dean! I love your work Stephen! Frank from Boulder, Colorado, USA

[@DebSrsns]

Thank you for sharing this professor's point of view! As a recently returned student to earn my Masters, some of the most rewarding aspects of my courses are when I'm able to bring something new to the attention of my lecturer/professor - whether it's a question they've not considered, or to write an essay on a topic they're not familiar with but relates to the course material. It signals that I'm really thinking about the material, and I don't doubt it's likely the same for some of your students. One thing that is absolutely mind-boggling to me is how anyone teaching determines the course material. How do you figure out what content to include for 9-12 weeks, how do you logically structure it all, and then talk about it nearly non-stop for an hour or two at least once a week?!? Amazing, really. Especially after seeing how people talk about nothing in business meetings. It's something I wonder whether my classmates appreciate the time/effort it takes.

[@marymadden498]

Stephen. Retired since 2017, I spent 47 years as: a high school chemistry/astronomy/physics teacher(24 years); a high school principal (13 years); and a college chemistry instructor(10 years). It was a wonderful career for all the reasons you describe. It was also challenging for reasons you mentioned, and it was also exhausting!! The path you describe and the joy of seeing a student grow, knowing that you helped in that journey is priceless. You described the career PERFECTLY!! I just sent a former student - friend who is a college professor one of the Retro 51 roller balls...Dimitri, with the periodic table. I’m sure you will smile at this, as she will upon its receipt. Happy New Year! I cannot imagine your teaching challenges during this pandemic! Best wishes. I am sure your students love your classes. My teaching is now will grandchildren whenever the situation arises...still delightful and rewarding. Best regards, Mary Madden from Rhode Island

[@kevinu.k.7042]

Thanks. Great sharing... Great video.

[@johngrubb007]

Thank you for this peek into the world of academia. I found it very interesting and a nice change of pace.

[@jeremyhowell2647]

I appreciate the perspective! I want to be a professor at a university once I complete all of my degrees, and I am currently working on completing two different Masters degrees, both are in music, but neither in research fields of music (research fields being Music Theory and Musicology). It is always intriguing to hear about the life of a more typical professor. In comparison, our process to tenure is more ambiguous, since we don't really have post doctoral programs. Once you get your doctorate, you are in the same pool of everyone else looking for collegiate level work. At the same time, our pay grades vary to a huge degree, and it is not uncommon for a first collegiate job to pay next to nothing as they are adjunct positions. A lot of people go through 9+ years of schooling and quit, because the worst part isnt when you are in school, but once you finally have a job and are earning scraps because you dont have a full time teaching position. Luckily for us we can find other revenue streams such as performing and teaching privately. There is a lot of politics involved though, because our worth as classical musicians is often more about how much you can convince people you are worth to them, and the community, rather than a tangible value of a product or direct result of research. We are always on an unending quest for funding, because more funding means the ability to compete with other professors as well as other schools. It is a very competitive field, and yet we all do it for the subjective personal wonder that the arts create.

[@TheSightsome]

Amen, brother professor. Amen.

[@brandonellis2982]

Ohhhh how I wish our Masters programme course leader (many years ago now) had had your totally positive attitude towards student development in the broadest sense. It may sound at odds with their position as course leader, but by comparison to what you've just said in the first half of this video which demonstrates the obvious buzz you get from developing students, it sadly emphasised how negative said leader was. OK, admittedly this character was in their twilight years - and people do get jaded with things over time - but if only they'd shown us some of what you've just displayed! Take a well earned bow Prof. Brown! Oh yeah, and keep the wackily entertaining pen vids coming too :-)

[@jasperjones6857]

My daughter just got started as a college professor. Now I have a better idea of what her challenges are. Great video.

[@bikkies]

I never went to university/college. I went straight from the end of my 6th form of secondary education into employment aged 18 and, having just turned 53, I've been in that same profession (IT) continuously throughout, except one 5 month break between jobs. I hated school with a passion and I was a horrible (and badly bullied) pupil. However the reason I am still being paid for my own dream job is my physics teacher. I knew nothing about computing and didn't want to know. He came in one day with a ZX81 and something in me clicked. I didn't understand but I *wanted* to. It became a passion, an obsession and it still is. So, from the learner perspective, I would say the educator's role was to INSPIRE. To plant the seed. To trigger curiosity. How much of that would you attribute to your role in higher education?

[@Dr.Shymaa]

very nice and informative video thanks so much Doctor

[@kuyagords]

How do you find time to do all your videos? I was stressed thinking of all you are doing. But you do it well and it is appreciated!

[@robinmosenfelder6226]

I am hoping you get tenure! and enough financial payment. You have a very positive attitude and I like that you enjoy it so much.

[@cjphelp]

Very interesting and thoughtful discussion. Thanks for your honesty. I haven't seriously considered a path in academia, but you touch on a number of things that would attract me to the job and things I value when working with earlier-career people joining our field in industry.

[@jelliweazle3007]

Great stuff, it’s nice to get a personal take on this from you Doc, it’s fab you love your job so much - you worked long and hard enough to get it! Really interesting, thank you as always!🎓

[@plumqalam2745]

Hello, thank you for making this video. I loved the point you made about interdisciplinary studies. I went to a small college and completed two degrees: one in neuroscience and one in computer science. I was initially only neuro but because of my professors, I was encouraged to explore other fields. I ended up making a combination and now am a data scientist in healthcare due to this encouragement and am pursuing higher studies. I find such ways of teaching allows for innovation in whatever the student does. It was great to come across a cognitive neuroscience expert in the pen community! Thank you!

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Very much enjoyed this video! So lovely to get more insight into your profession as well as you as a person! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@aag24]

My happiest time was when I had a job learning and teaching people. Sadly I had to leave my life in academia because of illness. It’s the best job in the world (though pay isn’t as much as sone other professions).

[@00leneause00]

Inspiring stuff.

[@stardust5379]

At some British universities there are also Readers which is one level down from a professor. My university has some outstanding professors from France and Germany and it is a privildge to have been taught by them.

[@ArjanD78]

Hi Stephen, I'm a chemistry teacher (scheikundeleraar havo/vwo bovenbouw) and I can relate to the intellectual stimulating part, the social part (and crunch time after exams, "proefwerkweek"). These times definitely mean overtime. The interaction with my students is the most rewarding thing and also what I missed the most during the Corona crisis. Parents suddenly rewarded our job more when they saw their children at home getting online courses. I'm afraid that will disappear quickly. I often get remarks from students: "you have a master's degree! Why become a teacher?". People have no idea what it takes to have good teachers. Looking across the borders I recognize as well. Biochemistry makes me look at biology. Electrochemistry makes me look at physics. I also teach courses on alcohol and the brain. GABA and glutamate receptors are things you are well acquainted with of course. I really enjoy that. I find it intellectually stimulating making new exam questions based on recent research. Questions on the protein envelope of the Corona virus for example. Being a high school teacher my job is pretty secure. That's definitely different. I recognize the uncertainty at your job from my time at University (University of Twente). How is salary? My salary isn't bad, but it keeps a lot of potential new teachers away. From what I hear high school teachers in the US get a low salary. How is this in Canada? Finally some Dutch words from my students that relate to the end of your video: Meneer, heeft u het al nagekeken? Meneer, heeft u nog extra opgaven om te oefenen? (Terwijl je al heel veel gegeven hebt) Meneer, kunt u me bijles geven? (Inderdaad vlak voor de proefwerkweek) Meneer, ik heb nog een vraag (soms 's avonds om 22.00u voor de dag dat het proefwerk is) BUT IT IS THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD!!!

[@fightersmurf]

has your youtube and pen-hobby (especially the disassemly line come to mind) helped you in any way with your job?

[@adminfuch71]

Very interesting, thank you! It's a privilege to be in a job that you love and that utilizes the best parts of you. I'm sure that translates to being a better teacher for your students. Really happy for you and the students who take your classes. :)

[@smithraymondearl]

College Professor of Engineering, Bachelor and Master Degree, 43 years of industry experience. Plus, 10 years as an Adjunct in Industrial Engineering.

[@Cocobird5]

That's fascinating. And you still find the time to teach us about stoicism, and critical thinking, as well as review pens. You are obviously a very high-energy person. I'm sure your students all think you are wonderful.

[@stephanfeinen3923]

Very interesting insights about your job. Sounds like you're having the fun of your life.

[@TakeCareMan]

Yes! I learn a great deal from my students and they ask great questions. I say “I don’t know. Let me look into it and get back with you.”

[@paulmetdebbie447]

Great video, totally agree. I was assistant professor civil law at Leiden university for 12 years and your story is very recognisable. Both the teaching and the research are very rewarding. So, now you teach in Canada at RDC. Is this related to Leiden?

[@stuffstuffstuffyay]

I love being a prof too. 18 yrs in.

[@TeapotDaddy]

I'm currently in my second bachelor psychology in uni and you genuinely seem like an awesome teacher to have. It's pretty interesting to get your perspective on teaching. I'm kind of curious as to how your time was as a student? Did you ever lose motivation on your way to where you are now? Any advice you could give to a university student?

[@Gregwisconsin]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing that insight; I share many of those very viewpoints but appreciate hearing your views and am so glad real teacher/researchers/scholars like you are there shaping our futures through what you do. Regarding interdisciplinarity; in your spare time (lol) check out the book “Consilience” by Edward O.Wilson. One question: do grades in your courses generally follow a bell curve distribution?

[@greggregson1365]

He does seem like a good teacher.

[@LifeinLancashire]

Very interesting video, thanks 👍. You do come across as being a great 'teacher'. Years ago as a university student here in the UK, I came across hopeless 'teachers'. Yes, they had fantastic knowledge and certainly knew their subject area, but unfortunately they didn't have the ability to portray that knowledge across to students and should not have been in academia at all. The same applies to high school etc. Some take on the 'teacher' role which is the totally incorrect route for them to take. Any idea why they become 'teachers' when they are not really cut out for that role?

[@TheSightsome]

Who is your philosopher neighbor?

[@shaunpearson7905]

Do you have to where those big red shoes at the college or are they reserved for formal occasions and gigs?

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

Thank you for such a detailed explanation! At what age do you think is “too old” to pursue a PhD?

[@genegoranov5865]

Screw it! Waste of time pursuing those higher and higher things. Teaching in junior colleges (us) is the most rewarding.

[@carolz5090]

Good God! How do you have the time to deal with the other aspects of your life? I take your point that you have peaks and valleys, but even still... I’m retired now, but I too had a job that could require 60-80 hrs per week for long periods, and unlike yourself I couldn’t predict when those times were going to be. BUT - I don’t have children, a KZbin channel, and heaven only knows how many other interests and pursuits you have in addition to dealing with the practicalities of life. I get that you’re brilliant but seriously, you must be a magician. Someday we’ll show up for a pen review and watch you materialize an Elephant out of a nib. Yes, I stayed to the end. I found your talk fascinating. You talked about bureaucracy but didn’t mention departmental politics. My guess is “that you don’t play dat.”

[@Snick3927]

Great stuff, Stephen-I’m retiring from professing right now and I’ll miss the kind of of classroom enchantment you describe more than anything else-it’s a magical space, alright. That said, one not so magical aspect of an academic career you didn’t mention is the crap salaries!

[@MrRwithanitch]

First of all thanks for sharing I’ve always wondered about your profession. And second.......who the HELL gave this video two Thumbs Down?, and WHY!!! 🤔😠😡🤬 😤😖 it frustrates me an I know SBREBROWN your much a better man than I and could care less about such things as two thumbs down, but I am not! Must be a couple of humans missing too much intelligence to comprehend ANYTHING you’ve said in this video? 🤔😉

[@inichula]

🎩