What are college professors responsible for?

I know college professors teach classes, but what else do they do? Are they involved in research or advising students? I'm curious about their role since I'm considering becoming a professor in the future.

The role of a college professor can be multifaceted and is typically divided into three main areas: teaching, research, and service.

Educating students is, of course, the most visible part of a professor's job. This includes not only delivering lectures, but also creating course syllabi, preparing and grading assignments and exams, and often advising and mentoring students, especially those at the graduate level.

Research is another significant part of a professor's job, especially at research-intensive universities. This often involves designing and conducting studies, analyzing results, writing and publishing academic papers, and presenting findings at conferences. Some professors may also write or contribute to books in their field.

The service component of a professor's role involves contributing to the administrative functioning of their department or university. This could include serving on various committees, overseeing department budgets, participating in curriculum planning, and even engaging in tasks like student recruitment. They may also be involved in service to their discipline more broadly, such as peer reviewing for academic journals.

Keep in mind that the balance of these responsibilities can differ widely depending on the type of institution. For example, at a large research university, a professor might spend a large portion of their time on research, while at a small liberal arts college, teaching might take up more of their time.

It's also worth noting that becoming a professor often requires a significant amount of education, typically a PhD in the relevant field. It can be a rewarding career, but it's also one that requires a considerable investment of time and effort.