Will “Soil Science Professor” be Automated?

Core Skills & Abilities

• Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

• Supervise laboratory sessions and field work and coordinate laboratory operations.

• Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.

• Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.

• Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.

• Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.

• Act as advisers to student organizations.

• Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.

• Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.

• Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.

• Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.

• Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.

• Participate in campus and community events.

• Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and laboratory equipment.

• Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.

• Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.

• Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.

• Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.

• Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as crop production, plant genetics, and soil chemistry.

• Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.

• Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.

• Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.

• Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.