How To Become a College Professor

Before even beginning the steps to becoming a college professor, you should be really, really sure that you want to do this. Academia at its best is the most rewarding profession there is; you get to teach subjects you love to young adults who are interested in what you have to say, to spend all day every day reading, writing, and talking. But at its worst, academia can be exhausting; the politics are unrivaled, the work load is impossible, the salaries are sub-par, and the students hate you. Unfortunately, you also have tens of thousands of dollars in student loans. The question, of course, is whether the fantastic things outweigh the horrific things; this is something only you can decide. So if you're sure, here's what you should do:

1. Decide what you would like to teach. In most cases, becoming a professor requires at least some education beyond your Bachelor's Degree (and in some cases, a lot of it). Because this is the case, you absolutely need to love your subject matter. Otherwise, you'll be setting yourself up for failure before even beginning. You should also check on the job placement rates for your chosen subject. Some fields, especially those in the humanities, have terrible job prospects. If this is true of yours, you'll want to think more carefully about whether this is really what you want.
2. Find out how much education you will need. You will generally need at least a Master's Degree. Some technical schools hire professors who have Bachelor's Degrees and practical experience in the field, but these positions are less lucrative, carry less prestige, and are generally intended to be part-time positions. For full-time teaching in the arts and sciences, you will need a PhD; for full-time teaching in business and related fields, you will need an MBA. Most other fields require MAs, but you will want to check into the requirements for your field. Many colleges and universities now hire adjunct (part-time) professors, in many cases requiring a less strenuous education for these positions. However, adjunct professors are generally paid poorly, have no job security, and receive no benefits. Embark upon this career choice with caution.
3. Get the education. You want to try not to finance your own education if at all possible. College professor is usually not the most lucrative career, and juggling student loans during your first few years of teaching can be daunting. Many universities offer research and teaching assistantships for their graduate students. These generally pay the student's tuition and often pay a stipend as well. Taking an assistantship is a good option, especially if you would like to get some teaching experience prior to leaving the program.
4. Now that you've gotten your degree(s), you'll need to begin the application process. You should apply for every full-time position that fits your education/specialties, regardless of the location. If you wait to receive a job in your locality, you will be waiting for a very long time. If you really want that job, you need to be willing and ready to move nearly anywhere. It is not uncommon for a new graduate to be on the job market for several years before receiving his first tenure-track job. Many people, in fact, decide to opt out after a year or two of job hunting and take jobs in private industry, teaching high school, or other non-profit fields. You, too, may decide to do so.
5. So you have your first job. Take a deep breath and enjoy that sense of relief. Now, get to work. There are articles and books to be written, courses to prep and teach, committees to serve, and papers to grade. Your work, in short, is just beginning.