5 ms·

This is a really ignorant question and I'm pretty sure I already know the answer. But say I wanted to become a teacher at some school, specifically teaching thi

This is a really ignorant question and I'm pretty sure I already know the answer. But say I wanted to become a teacher at some school, specifically teaching things like "how to organize and execute the operational side of a tech product", or "managing Enterprise IT". You have to have a degree (in something) first, right? They won't just hire someone with 25 years experience and no degree to teach a class?

mrkeen 4y ago
Which came first, the professor or the degree? When schools open new programs, they need people to teach the degree when it didn't previously exist. Simon Peyton Jones skipped the PhD but later became a lecturer and professor and a whole lot more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Peyton_Jones#Education https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Peyton_Jones#Education
bo1024 4y ago
To teach a class or two on the side, they absolutely would. For full time options, there is a title “professor of the practice” which might not need a PhD but it’s a bit rare.
NtochkaNzvanova 4y ago
This reply is not meant to be dismissive at all, just direct: things like "how to organize and execute the operational side of a tech product" or "managing Enterprise IT" are not things that are taught in the "elite" research universities being discussed in this article. They are more likely taught (here in the US) in community colleges, vocational schools, or (at best) university extension programs (i.e., professional education programs run on the side by research universities, such as the University of California). Whereas research universities require (or almost require) a PhD to teach undergrads (and certainly graduate students), these more professionally-oriented programs are much more flexible. They might like to see an advanced degree such as an MS or MBA, but probably would put significant value on industry experience. No bachelor's degree might be a hard sell though.

mrkeen 4y ago

Which came first, the professor or the degree? When schools open new programs, they need people to teach the degree when it didn't previously exist. Simon Peyton Jones skipped the PhD but later became a lecturer and professor and a whole lot more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Peyton_Jones#Education https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Peyton_Jones#Education

bo1024 4y ago

To teach a class or two on the side, they absolutely would. For full time options, there is a title “professor of the practice” which might not need a PhD but it’s a bit rare.

NtochkaNzvanova 4y ago

This reply is not meant to be dismissive at all, just direct: things like "how to organize and execute the operational side of a tech product" or "managing Enterprise IT" are not things that are taught in the "elite" research universities being discussed in this article. They are more likely taught (here in the US) in community colleges, vocational schools, or (at best) university extension programs (i.e., professional education programs run on the side by research universities, such as the University of California). Whereas research universities require (or almost require) a PhD to teach undergrads (and certainly graduate students), these more professionally-oriented programs are much more flexible. They might like to see an advanced degree such as an MS or MBA, but probably would put significant value on industry experience. No bachelor's degree might be a hard sell though.