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Professor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Michael Pytlik Ph.D.,

Ray English

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical professor skills. We ranked the top skills for professors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.3% of professor resumes contained philosophy as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a professor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 professor skills for your resume and career

1. Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of our current reality and existence and the questions and knowledge surrounding it.

Here's how professors use philosophy:

Maintained and enhanced traditional classroom delivery including lectures, content-driven media, and contextual applications of contemporary Humanities and Philosophy.
Designed and taught a philosophy seminar on Logical Positivism.

2. Curriculum Development

Here's how professors use curriculum development:

Collaborate with the Business Technology Department team concerning plans of study, curriculum development, budgets and stakeholder evaluations.
Test construction, curriculum development, clinical affiliations, student mentoring and advising were included as responsibilities.

3. Mathematics

Here's how professors use mathematics:

Served on committees to develop and implement Statistics Major, Statistics Minor and Applied Statistics Concentration within the Mathematics curriculum.
Instructed students in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, college mathematics, and pharmacology math and dosage calculations.

4. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how professors use c++:

Worked with C sharp, a C++ variant, to improve models and excel to analyze costing data.
Designed course material to teach computer engineering courses including C, C++ and Software development life cycle principles.

5. Literature

Here's how professors use literature:

Project management certificate: Cornell University Translation certificate: Global Translation Institute Bachelor of Arts in French/Arabic Literature Ste.
Facilitated in developing a survey reaching 2500 participants, analyzed respondents' data, monitored industry literature.

6. Graduate Courses

Here's how professors use graduate courses:

Develop and teach graduate and undergraduate courses including beginning through advanced computer graphics animation Member of SCAD Interdisciplinary Committee.
Developed educational curriculum and established performance measurements for elective and certificate undergraduate and graduate courses regarding Africa.

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7. Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that tells us about the composition, properties, and structure of elements and compounds. The processes these elements undergo and how they undergo change all come under the branch of chemistry.

Here's how professors use chemistry:

Experimented with different surface chemistry to improve quality of yields -Participated in poster session and presentation to faculty and graduate students.
Prepare and/or supervise the preparation of laboratory materials for teaching each weekly laboratory session associated with each chemistry course.

8. Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate courses usually refer to the first studies undertaken at university.

Here's how professors use undergraduate courses:

Delivered undergraduate course in Spanish to international student body.
Graduate and undergraduate coursework in general education and special education

9. Economics

Here's how professors use economics:

Researched effects of tort liability on auto accidents and the economics of vicarious liability.
Conducted independent researches and supervised research in resource economics especially irrigation water.

10. Syllabus

Here's how professors use syllabus:

Restructure syllabus for all classes in Paralegal Program in accordance with federal education guidelines.
Developed syllabus and content for elective classes for Biblical Counseling and Managing Conflict.

11. Physiology

Physiology is a branch of biology focused on studying living things, other parts, and the functions of these parts. It studies the functions of living things, especially the human body, and the effects of different processes and actions on the well-being of the body.

Here's how professors use physiology:

Research, schedule and develop course Physiology, biology and medical terminology professor All proper duty and responsibilities for a professor position
Revised a proposed Human Anatomy and Physiology curriculum for new Nursing and Dentistry academic programs.

12. Ethics

Ethics is a branch of knowledge that involves recommending, defending, and systemizing aspects of right and wrong behavior.

Here's how professors use ethics:

Increased productivity through organization & communication Carolina Ethics Bowl Member
Major courses: Human Resources, Basic Psychology, the Psychology of Human Sexuality, Ethics, Humanities and Basic Spanish.

13. Professional Development

Professional development means to have the essential training certification or education with the purpose of earning and having a successful career. Every job requires a different set of skills. However, new skills may be needed in the future. Professional development, in this regard, helps people to develop and polish the skills and become efficient workers.

Here's how professors use professional development:

Participated in University-approved faculty evaluation processes that included continuous improvement in teaching and instruction, professional development, and university service.
Maintained knowledge current in field through professional development including involvement in professional organizations and meetings, conferences, and workshops.

14. Course Materials

Here's how professors use course materials:

Created instructional content to include media which integrates changes regarding contemporary, regional and topical issues into appropriate course materials.
Led weekly review sessions and counseled students regarding course material and exam preparation involving Commercial Paper and Secured Transactions.

15. Anatomy

Anatomy is the comprehensive study of the internal structure and functions of a thing (living or nonliving). In the body, it's referred to as human anatomy which is the study of the body's internal structure and how they function with one another. There's also plant anatomy and animal anatomy for studying the structures of both.

Here's how professors use anatomy:

Assisted students with identification and comprehension of anatomy * Helped prepare students for upcoming exams and proctored and graded exams.
Handled the task of conducting regular lectures of anatomy and microbiology experiments in the classroom as well as in laboratories.

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What skills help Professors find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on professor resumes?

Dr. Michael Pytlik Ph.D.

Director of Judaic Studies and the Director of the Cis Maisel Center for Judaic Studies and Community Engagement, Oakland University, Rochester MI

Effective communication, broad-based skills in academics, language study, international travel, and examples of working with others: team skills, volunteering, internships.

What hard/technical skills are most important for professors?

Ray English

Assistant Dean, Office of Career and Employment Services, Arizona State University

The most important technical skills are the ability to write and to use the latest office software.

What soft skills should all professors possess?

Ray English

Assistant Dean, Office of Career and Employment Services, Arizona State University

The most important soft skill is fitting the company's culture you want to work for. People want to hire people that fit their culture.

What professor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

April Dawkins Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, The University of North Carolina Greensboro

Our graduates are likely to be already employed, both during their studies and immediately after graduation. Many school librarians transition from the classroom to the library setting, while they are completing their tasks. Suppose a graduate wanted to take an additional year before seeking employment as a school librarian. In that case, they might focus on improving teaching skills, their knowledge about children's and young adult literature, and picking up new technology skills. They could work on these skills by using a bookstore or public library, volunteering with after-school programs or community groups that do outreach with children, and exploring new technology trends.

What type of skills will young professors need?

Dr. Stephen Waring

Professor and Chair, University of Alabama

Young people today find a very different job market than their parents did. Their parents were more likely to stay in a single field, and sometimes even a single employer, for much of their work lives. Today, they are likely to change fields and employers AND experience technological change. But important job skills remain constant: communication skills in writing and in person, experience in working on teams, an ability to research and analyze complex problems, and an ability to learn and re-tool to accommodate change. These are skills that are central to contemporary education in the liberal arts and humanities.

What technical skills for a professor stand out to employers?

Dr. Emily Hayden

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Campbellsville University

The ability to write in a coherent manner. A simple well-formulated email can leave an impression on a coworker or supervisor. Understanding Word, Excel, and other business programs is necessary. Understanding the difference between texting with a friend verses a coworker is essential. I believe right now, during the global pandemic, computer and technology skills will be very valuable. A lot of employers are expecting individuals to meet through Zoom and Microsoft teams calls. Technology allows people to work from home and still accomplish their job tasks. With new technology skills also brings new types of communication skills. Being able to communicate effectively while using online tools will be very valuable to employers.

Do you want to know more?

List of professor skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a professor resume and required skills for a professor to have include:

Philosophy
Curriculum Development
Mathematics
C++
Literature
Graduate Courses
Chemistry
Undergraduate Courses
Economics
Syllabus
Physiology
Ethics
Professional Development
Course Materials
Anatomy
Mentoring Students

Research Projects
Pharmacology
Sociology
Data Analysis
Architecture
Organizational Behavior
Legal Research
Business Administration
Blackboard
Entrepreneurship
Course Content
PowerPoint
Seminar
Political Science
Business Management
International Business

Course Curriculum
Photoshop
Social Justice
Public Speaking
Windows
Calculus
Strategic Management
III
ESL
Courses Taught
HTML
Teaching Methodologies
Business Law
DNA
Multidisciplinary Research

Updated January 8, 2025

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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