The first step to become a principal lecturer requires the completion of a masters or doctoral degree program. The benefit of having an advanced degree is the credibility that goes along with it. It is important to become a recognized expert in the field in which the lectures will cover. Offering services as a lecturer to small organizations will also provide the experience and exposure needed to be regarded as an expert in the field.
The path to become a principal lecturer has changed over time. The career has become professionalized over the past few decades, and it may be challenging to obtain a lectureship position without having completed a PhD. You may have opportunities to gain experience as a lecturer through internships and academic teaching assistant positions while studying for your degree, however. If your career goal is to lecture in an academic environment, having a doctorate degree not only provides credibility but can also afford you the opportunity to have written works published. Through the completion of a doctoral dissertation, students on track for a lectureship can research and complete publishable work.
Joining a speaker's bureau may also provide you with the exposure and experience necessary to become a principal lecturer, and it will often look impressive on a resume. When someone wants to find a lecturer or speaker to cover a particular topic, the speaker's bureau can be contacted for referrals. After joining, you may have the opportunity to gain practice preparing and delivering lectures.
There are opportunities to work as a principal lecturer outside of an academic setting. It is possible to start a career as a lecturer by speaking at school, church, and other functions. Where working in an academic setting will require a course of study related to the subject matter to be lectured on, working independently and with smaller organizations can offer you the freedom and flexibility to speak on a variety of subjects.
Becoming a principal lecturer is not always an easy task. Lecturers who work in an academic environment should work to be recognized experts in their chosen fields. Publishing written works can help bolster your credibility and increase your competitiveness for academic lecturer positions. Knowledge and exposure in education are key elements to be considered on the road to become a principal lecturer.