Can I do this job?

[TheLionQueen]

I'm nearing the end of my PhD (ish) and starting to look at jobs.
I always assumed I'd stick with research, but the contracts are generally temporary and the money not brilliant.
My supervisor has sent me a link to a job in the next city (about an hours commute) for a lecturing job covering a subject that links with my PhD (I'm doing health/environmental psychology, job is for environmental).
I have delivered a couple of lectures and helped out in seminars throughout my studies but always shit bricks get so nervous before lecturing, so thought I wasn't cut out for it.
Do you think this is something I can get over? Would you apply for it if you were me? The money is good and the commute manageable. The workload scares me a bit but is something I could get used to.
WWYD?

[ThatGingerOne]

I would go for it - and I still throw up after every lecture/presentation I give at uni (still studying).

If the money is good is it good enough to cover the expense of travel and still be higher than the lower paid research jobs that are close by? If not then what's the point?

It would give you a more experience in a different part of your subject to add to your CV and if you don't enjoy it you can always quit or search for work while you're doing it.

[TheLionQueen]

Thanks for replying! Oh no I thought you'd tell me to get a grip and I'd get over the nerves thing!
Money wise, unless I managed to get a job at the university I study at (unlikely & not nice to work for anyway) I will have to travel to one of three cities, and this is probably the closest. There's near enough a ten grand difference in pay so surely that couldn't be swallowed by commuting?!
I'm worried Ill end up out of my depth

[ThatGingerOne]

I would never tell you that! (On prescribed anxiety meds)

If you would have to travel anyway and there is such a massive pay increase (oh my you lucky thing!) I would 100% go for it.

If you need help you can just ask for it, if you find it too much you can just leave, but jobs after uni like that are rare and I think you should grab it with both hands. Time just after uni is where you try different jobs and find the one you want - don't worry about it and just go for it I say! Good luck!

[TheLionQueen]

Thanks for the support I've been writing my application. Not due til Dec so I have a bit of time to panic think it through.
Yes I think in an ideal world I'd have a nice research job that I could do from home with a good wage but in reality it's not going to happen!
The research stuff I've been looking at is around the 25k mark and this one starts at 32, progressing to up to 46.
I suppose yes there will be help available and as they are requesting applications from academics early in their careers they will be expecting to offer support.
There's nothing to lose in applying is there! I might not even get an interview and I'll be stressing about nothing

[murmuration]

I always thought I would never lecture because I got so nervous. But you get used to it, and manage. I truly started out utterly terrified of the students.

I've been lecturing for 10 years now, and I think this is the first year that I've approached it in a much more casual way. So yeah, the anxiety might not go away (or not go away fast) but you get used to it.

Definitely worth applying. If you get an interview, ask about what professional development they have to help you advance your teaching skills. You can see whether they're planning to support you or just dump you in it.

[impostersyndrome]

If you do get the job you're likely to be required to do training in teaching - especially now with the dreaded TEF - which should give you some strategies for teaching, assessment and etc. The more you do it and the more you know your subject, the easier it'll be.

Good luck!

[TheLionQueen]

Thanks murmur for advice and imposter for the luck! Good thinking re question at interview re professional development. I've done a teaching assistant prep course which was useful and covered loads- preparing lectures, delivery, assessment and evaluation etc but it was four years ago now. Wonder if I still have the paperwork somewhere.
I was thinking surely it must get better- not necessarily pleasant but would be nice not to shake uncontrollably and want to puke!

[Bountybarsyuk]

I don't feel bad when lecturing, I was initially nervous the first year but after that I've found it pretty easy. I memorized the lectures first time around more or less, and now give them without thinking really. I sometimes, if I'm very tired, might have a slight moment before speaking, but very rarely. I wouldn't want you to think it's the norm to be exceptionally nervous, it is for some people, others aren't and others love lecturing (nervous or not). I've found it's a fantastic way to get confident at presenting and I now find doing conferences easier as well.

[TheLionQueen]

Sorry this thread slipped down my watch list!
Thanks for sharing your experience Bounty it's a really good point that it could increase my confidence when presenting. I delivered a presentation at a conference a while ago and though nervous, I got a friend to sit in and watch and she said I didn't come across as nervous so hopefully hide it fairly well.
The topic is my specialism so surely can't be that hard- this has been my bread and butter for the last 5 years or so, so if I can't talk about that then there's something wrong!