I have my first ever interview for a university lecturing post. Have questions.

[LecturingLife]

have an interview for a lecturer post coming up. Never really expected to be short listed to be honest.

Never worked in academia before. I currently work in industry directly related to the degree concerned. Job advert said it would be ideal for someone in this field to take up their first lecturing post. As well as working in this field I also teach people already qualified to ensure their skills, etc are up to date. So I have a lot of teaching experience, just not in a university setting.

I'm slightly clueless how to prepare for the interview. I have to do a micro teaching session which is fine. It's the actual interview I'm more concerned about. Obviously I would expect normal questions along the lines of why do you want to go into lecturering, why would I be good at the job, what challenges would I expect to come up against.

Would they expect me to know anything about the politics of higher education, combatting attrition rates, funding issues, etc??

I have no experience of marking assignments but I'm guessing I would be given guidance in this area.

How much time do lecturers spend teaching and how much time marking and preparing for lectures. They did say something about some days been able to work from home.

I know I would be expected to complete a teaching qualification but would there be pressure on me to finish my masters, do a PhD, do research, write articles? It's not a Russell group or even a red brick uni.

[Snuper]

How exciting! Have you started yet, and what are your first impressions of how it will work out?

I swithered with heading back to academia, but have realised I could do research in my new field so all not lost yet, so interested in your experience.

[LecturingLife]

Don't start till the new year. Am worried about the commuting but very excited about the job!

[thereasonisyou]

Hi @LecturingLife, I know this thread was started a little while ago but I was wondering how you've got on in your new job. I am also a nurse who is exploring the possibility of a career change into lecturing (job opportunity has come up and I'm weighing up the pros and cons of applying). Thanks

[LecturingLife]

Hi @thereasonisyou.

I’m really enjoying the job, though I do think I’m being broken in very gently. Haven’t taken any lectures or seminars on my own. Just shadowing others currently. Lots of meetings! Am doing marking.

It’s just so interesting. I love talking to the students and find them (mostly) passionate and a breath of fresh air. Colleagues are very supportive.

Some of my colleagues seem a bit stressed with workload but the team has been short for a bit, hopefully when I get up and running that will get better for all. I like the flexibility of the job, some days I might finish a bit early and go home and do some reading at home. Feel like I’m treated like an adult which is a novelty after the nhs!

[thereasonisyou]

Thanks @LecturingLife for your reply. So pleased for you that you are enjoying the job so far .
Can I ask if you miss the clinical side at all (patient contact)? It's one thing that I worry about if I did choose to change.
Are you working Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm or is it more flexible ?
Like a lot of people, nursing is all I have ever done and whilst the thought of pursuing another career is exciting and will be positive in many ways, I guess it's a bit like letting go of a security blanket- one that is tired and full of holes- but a security blanket none the less!!

[LecturingLife]

It’s more flexible. Obviously if I have a lecture or a meeting to be there for I need to be in work, otherwise I can work from home. If I have a lecture in the morning I could leave at lunchtime and go home to work if I wanted to, don’t need to ask.

I don’t miss the clinical side that much to be honest. Am just enjoying the new challenges so much. Have stayed on the bank though and do plan to do a few shifts when I can.