In Inside Higher Ed, Marcus Lau shares hard-earned advice on navigating the transition from teaching assistant to university lecturer. Drawing from his own experience, Lau outlines three essential questions that aspiring lecturers should ask before stepping into their first course lead role:

• What are the key learning outcomes?
  Clarify whether course objectives are set or flexible, and understand how those goals shape assessments, readings, and activities.
• How much autonomy do I have?
  Find out whether you’re free to redesign assignments, change the course format, or revise the syllabus—or whether you’re expected to follow a preexisting framework.
• What support is available?
  Ask whether you’ll have access to past materials, mentorship from previous instructors, or help from instructional support teams.

Lau emphasizes that while the lecturer role brings rewarding professional growth, it also demands careful preparation and clarity about responsibilities. His advice encourages proactive planning and collaboration to ensure a smoother, more confident teaching experience.

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