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What does a faculty member do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Rebecca Sarver

A faculty member is responsible for teaching students a wide range of both vocational and academic subjects. As a faculty member, you will teach and impart knowledge to your students and help them with the learning process and knowledge application. Some of the duties that you will perform include collaborating with colleagues in modifying the curriculum, counseling them about learning difficulties, life choices, and personal problems, and writing recommendations to aid students to secure internships or jobs. You will also participate in activities of professional associations to advance research and standards in the field.

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Faculty member responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real faculty member resumes:

  • Lead instruction in non-credit ESL self-enrichment conversation courses (as needed).
  • Develop and manage syllabus materials.
  • Update the course curriculum for economics and drama to encompass a wider array of topics.
  • Develop and teach college courses in ethics, philosophy, sociology, religion and international affairs.
  • Conduct review sessions in anatomy, physiology and microbiology.
  • Teach undergraduate courses relate to psychology, physiology, and development
  • Focuse on introductory level and advance cadaver base anatomy and physiology and other health relate biology courses.
  • Teach basic skills encompassing math, science, English, and literature.
  • Observe and participate the evaluation of collegiate athletes in the USAFA physiology lab.
  • Deliver lectures on a variety of topics relate to foreign policy, politics, and economics.
  • Teach introductory level psychology and sociology courses.
  • Prepare powerpoint presentation for lectures.Responsibilities Maintain student records.
  • Create interesting lesson plans, syllabus and classroom discussions/activities.
  • Develop and revise curriculum for students in the mathematics department.
  • Facilitate clinical interviewing and medical ethics training for 1st year medical students

Faculty member skills and personality traits

We calculated that 15% of Faculty Members are proficient in Public Health, Mathematics, and Curriculum Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Faculty Members that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Public Health, 15%

    Directed community public health workforce development functions.

  • Mathematics, 11%

    Co-authored curriculum and taught an introductory algebra class for struggling middle school mathematics students.

  • Curriculum Development, 10%

    Received special recognition for individual and team contributions and collaborative work in 4 year curriculum development for college of medicine.

  • Professional Development, 6%

    Designed and delivered professional development activities in several states and worked as a critical friend with several schools.

  • PowerPoint, 6%

    Designed PowerPoint presentation for Hughes Science Symposium at Barnard College.

  • Course Materials, 5%

    Prepared course materials and instructed pharmaceutical microbiology, chemistry, biotechnology courses and laboratory protocols and stimulated class discussions.

Common skills that a faculty member uses to do their job include "public health," "mathematics," and "curriculum development." You can find details on the most important faculty member responsibilities below.

Interpersonal skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a faculty member to have is interpersonal skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "postsecondary teachers need to work well with others for tasks such as instructing students and serving on committees." Faculty members often use interpersonal skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "conduct communication classes: public speaking, interpersonal communication, small group & argumentation. "

Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling faculty member duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "postsecondary teachers need good communication skills to present lectures and provide feedback to students." According to a faculty member resume, here's how faculty members can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "created and conducted a public speaking workshop series for students and faculty; ! "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for faculty members to perform their duties. For an example of how faculty member responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "postsecondary teachers need strong writing ability to publish original research and analysis." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a faculty member: "course content included study skills, organization techniques, resume writing, and self-advocacy. ".

Most common faculty member skills

The three companies that hire the most faculty members are:

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Compare different faculty members

Faculty member vs. Health and physical education teacher

Health And Physical Education Teachers help young people lead healthy lifestyles. They organize games and challenges that promote physical activity for children and young adults.

If we compare the average faculty member annual salary with that of a health and physical education teacher, we find that health and physical education teachers typically earn a $55,709 lower salary than faculty members make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both faculty member and health and physical education teacher positions are skilled in mathematics, professional development, and student learning.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, faculty member responsibilities require skills like "public health," "curriculum development," "powerpoint," and "course materials." Meanwhile a typical health and physical education teacher has skills in areas such as "classroom management," "physical education curriculum," "k-12," and "school health." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Health and physical education teachers really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $50,131. Comparatively, faculty members tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $143,955.health and physical education teachers tend to reach lower levels of education than faculty members. In fact, health and physical education teachers are 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 11.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Faculty member vs. Professor

A professor is a teaching professional who provides instructions to students on various academic and vocational subjects in colleges, universities, and vocational schools. Professors design curriculums for courses and ensure that they meet college and department students. They continuously conduct research and experiments so that advanced knowledge in their field is completed. They share their research and works by publishing them in books and academic journals. They also provide assistance to graduating students.

Professor positions earn higher pay than faculty member roles. They earn a $54,721 higher salary than faculty members per year.A few skills overlap for faculty members and professors. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "mathematics," "curriculum development," and "professional development. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that faculty member responsibilities requires skills like "public health," "general education," "student learning," and "advisory boards." But a professor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "philosophy," "graduate courses," "mentoring students," and "research projects."

Professors may earn a higher salary than faculty members, but professors earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $148,195. On the other hand, faculty members receive higher pay in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $143,955.professors earn similar levels of education than faculty members in general. They're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 11.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for faculty members in the next 3-5 years?

Rebecca SarverRebecca Sarver LinkedIn profile

Lecturer in Human Services Studies, Elmira College

The use of remote and virtual meetings will continue even after COVID-19. Face to face meetings may still be the preferred method of contact, but the reality is that many clients who need to access services do not have reliable and consistent transportation to get to the services. Phones and computers enable more convenient meetings that are less costly in terms of time and travel. Some clients may prefer not to leave their homes.

Faculty member vs. College instructor

A certified veterinary technician is in charge of performing laboratory tests, participating in medical procedures, and performing clerical support tasks at veterinary clinics, zoos, and private laboratories. Their responsibilities often include collecting information from pet owners, studying patients' medical histories, gathering and analyzing samples from patients through various laboratory procedures, operating equipment and machines, and monitoring patients' conditions. Moreover, under the supervision of a veterinarian, they may also provide first-aid to animals and administer medication.

On average, college instructors earn lower salaries than faculty members, with a $52,265 difference per year.By looking over several faculty members and college instructors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "mathematics," "curriculum development," and "professional development." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, faculty members are more likely to have skills like "public health," "organizational behavior," "advisory boards," and "hypertension." But a college instructor is more likely to have skills like "classroom management," "social work," "math," and "money management."

College instructors earn the best pay in the education industry, where they command an average salary of $50,236. Faculty members earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $143,955.Most college instructors achieve a similar degree level compared to faculty members. For example, they're 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 7.9% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Faculty member vs. Medical instructor

Medical instructors cover subjects relating to medical care with their students. They create lesson plans, research topics within the field, give tests and assignments, and teach students how to conduct medical procedures. They might also have to create laboratory assignments and coordinate clinical practicums.

Medical instructors average a lower salary than the annual salary of faculty members. The difference is about $44,731 per year.According to resumes from faculty members and medical instructors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "curriculum development," "professional development," and "powerpoint. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A faculty member uses "public health," "mathematics," "public speaking," and "economics." Medical instructors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "medical terminology," "cpc," "clinical procedures," and "hipaa. "medical instructors enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $78,583. For comparison, faculty members earn the highest salary in the health care industry.The average resume of medical instructors showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to faculty members. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 14.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 6.2%.

Types of faculty member

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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