There are some people that finish their studies and just want to get back into studying further; they dream of becoming an academic. Some of the dreams can come from a passion that they have for research, a drive to improve their knowledge as they are, as well as a need to help others be passionate about studying and education, or a specific academic subject. Some academic dreams, however, may come from a vision of dreaming that comes from staying in the academic surroundings, where you’re comfortable, and doing things that you enjoy and that inspire you. If this sounds like you, or could potentially sound like you, whether you’re studying or already in an established career, then you need to think about the realities of an academic career, to help you to decide if this is going to be for you or not. 

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Getting started

If you are an aspiring academic, then the actions that you take, and some of the concerns that you have, can depend on where you are in your career. If you still have plenty of studying to go, then you’ve got time to explore your options. If you are already in a career, then you need to think about what else is available to you, and what path you’d need to go down. 

• If you are currently studying for an undergraduate or a masters, or this is the highest level of education that you have, then there are options for you. You could study further, such as a doctorate, or you could major in something that would allow you to teach down the line, such as teaching. If you don’t currently have a masters, then that could be a next step, especially if you wanted to become a teacher, as you could do a masters in education, for example.

• If you are planning to study for a PhD or to become a Doctoral Researcher or you already have this and are thinking of what to do next, then you’ll be in a very good position for pursuing a career in academia. You could study while being employed by a University, or become a research fellow at a University. However, if you are looking to become a college professor, then you may need to research a little into it. You should check out what the average college professor salary is, as well as what specific qualifications you will need in order to do just that. For many people pursuing a career in education, becoming a professor is the goal.
  
• Post-doctoral research or looking to become teaching staff is another option for you with a career in academia. You could become a member of the teaching staff at a University, whether that was full-time or part-time, and you can do that without becoming a lecturer, or as well as. 

There are plenty of avenues open to you if you are looking for a career in teaching, research, and academia; it just depends what route you want to go down.