What Is an IT Lecturer?

An Information Technology (IT) lecturer is an educator who teaches students about concepts related to computers and telecommunications. Lecturer positions are usually not full time, meaning that a professional in this position may not be responsible for performing administrative duties outside of grading. Whereas most university professors have doctorate degrees in their fields, lecturers may have master's degrees. In other cases, an IT lecturer may have years of experience in the IT industry or may have written books about the subject.

It is common for an IT lecturer to have an area of specialization. For example, a lecturer might be an authority in the field of network security. In this case, an educator is likely to teach classes that cover issues related to protecting networks against breaches of security. He or she also might teach introductory level classes that instruct students in how to set up and map networks.

A primary goal of most IT lecturers is to provide students with information and resources they need to reach a certain level of proficiency in a subject. Many lecturers teach in accredited degree programs. This means that lecturers often are responsible for assigning each student a grade based on his or her performance.

Some IT lecturers may teach courses that are not part of academic degree programs. Colleges and community organizations may offer classes for citizens who would like to learn about IT concepts. In these cases, lecturers might take a more relaxed approach to teaching a class. They might ask students to direct a course so they can learn concepts and practices about which they are curious.

IT lecturer salaries can vary depending on factors such as university funding, cost of living, and lecturer qualifications. A school with a small computer science department might offer smaller salaries for lecturers. Universities that are known for their computer science courses, on the other hand, might offer lecturers much higher salaries.

To become an IT lecturer, an individual can benefit from having a graduate degree in a related field. Most educational institutions prefer to hire lecturers who are accomplished and who may possess valuable insight into the industry. Professionals who have created new products, worked for successful organizations, or who have many years of experience may find positions as lecturers.

Another good way to become an IT lecturer is to act as an IT scholar. In other words, academics who study and write about IT issues often can fill lecturer positions. Many lecturers have published papers, books, and magazine articles about their areas of specialization.