The
Life of A Lecturer
Bernard
Rolfe - Mechanical Engineering
Deakin University
The
highlight of my day was reviewing interesting results from
one of my research students. His project is to investigate
the effect of variation on the forming of sheet metal components
for the automotive industry.
I'm a Mechanical Engineering lecturer. My job consists of
three parts.
First part is Research. My research is concentrated
on developing better simulations of metal forming process
(stamping, forging). Simulations allow us to optimise these
processes without having to run expensive production trials.
Second part is Teaching. I teach mechanical
engineering design and computer-aided engineering analysis.
This involves finding out what is happening in industry and
what is the latest theory on these subjects; and then condensing
this into a series of weekly lectures that are hopefully interesting
to the students.
Third part is Community. As part of the University
I am obliged to help in its operation. This involves participating
in committees and other administrative tasks. Universities
are also connected to their communities, and all staff are
expected to try and communicate knowledge and experience to
the wider community.
The high point on Wednesday was part of my
Research focus. We hope to train talented students
in advanced thinking, techniques, and experimental
set-ups. Also, we hope to build up Australia's knowledge in
advanced manufacturing techniques so we can remain competitive.
In terms of career, well, an academic career is a difficult
one at the moment. A student who graduates in science or engineering
then needs to complete a PhD. It takes as long as
a full medical degree to get your first degree
and a PhD (~ 7 or 8 years
in total), and that is why we are called Doctors ;-).
After the PhD, researchers then undertake work as a paid researcher
(called Post-docs) for at least 3 years. This research is
all contract driven, generally contracts are between 1 and
3 years long.
After several post-doc positions, those wanting to continue
their academic career then find a lecturing position at a
University. This is difficult because there are not many position
available, and they may be in places you perhaps don't want
to go (such as Adelaide, only joking ;-)). The advantage of
getting a University lecturing position is that you can direct
only research themes, rather than working on someone else's.
Career wise you can then progress towards Professor if your
research becomes well known and worthwhile.
To be suited to an Academic career you need to be seriously
interested in life long learning. In this position,
you never stop learning things.
In high-school, I had no idea what
Engineers did, even though I had two uncles
who were engineers. Career counsellor
saw I had good Maths and Science results and suggested that
I do Engineering (Being a reactionary I refused her advice
and started doing Economics at Uni, but still ended up in
Engineering). I was interested in nuclear physics, not that
I could understand it. My friend and I wanted to form a new
political party as we were tired of the political party rhetoric
at the time. We didn't get far on this.
I realised Engineering was for me when I did summer work for
a robotics group at University. Amazing toys, interesting
problems to solve, and the end result would/could often benefit
society.
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