Michael Roberto is a professor of management at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., and has also served as a visiting professor at NYU Stern School of Business. His research focuses on strategic decision making processes and senior management teams. Dr. Roberto's latest book is "Know What You Don't Know: How Great Leaders Prevent Problems Before They Happen" (Wharton School Publishing, 2009). After spending six years as a faculty member at Harvard Business School, he has a true passion for teaching and his research. Be sure to follow his writings on  Professor Michael Roberto's Blog: Musings About Leadership, Decision Making, and Competitive Strategy .

Why did you decide to pursue a career as a professor? 
I taught introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics to undergraduates while in my second year of the Harvard Business School MBA program. I fell in love with teaching, and I decided that I wanted to perhaps pursue a career as a professor someday. However, I had an offer by then to return to Staples, where I had conducted an internship. So, I went to Staples after commencement, but then after a year, I decided to enroll in the doctoral program at Harvard and pursue my true passion of teaching.

What type of preparation did you do to get into this field?
I spent several years as a financial analyst at General Dynamics after college. Then, I earned my MBA at Harvard, and I worked at Staples as a project manager on acquisition integration. Finally, I earned a doctorate at Harvard, and I’ve been a full-time faculty member since 2000.

What types of classes and projects did you have to do in school?
I didn’t pursue any degrees in education. My undergraduate was in economics, and my master’s and doctorate's are in business administration. However, I taught as a graduate student, and that was great training. I also learned to teach largely through an apprenticeship model at Harvard, where I observed senior faculty members in the classroom on a regular basis.

How did your education help you in your career?
Clearly, I was blessed to have wonderful professors throughout my education. I learned a great deal about business and economics from them, but I also observed many different great teachers. Those observations helped make me the teacher I am today. On the research side, I had wonderful mentors during my graduate program. With their help, I’ve become a scholar who has published articles and books that I hope have had an impact on both theory and practice.

What types of skills is someone required to have to work in your position? 
As a teacher and a scholar, the most important thing that one must have is passion. If you are interested and enthusiastic about a set of ideas, you can excite your students, your readers and your academic colleagues.

What do you do on a typical workday?
I don’t really have a typical workday, and I think that’s what makes my job so great. One day, I might be teaching and meeting with students. On another day, I might be writing an article or conducting interviews as part of a research project. On a different day, I might be traveling to deliver a leadership development program at a client company. That variety makes my professional life very fulfilling.

Do you plan to advance to another position within your career field? 
No, I love being a faculty member. I don’t have any interest in becoming a dean or full-time administrator. I want to spend my time as a teacher and a scholar. I certainly am involved in helping move my institution forward by serving in a variety of other roles. However, at the end of the day, I want my focus to always be on teaching and scholarship.

What type of person do you think is best suited for a job in your field?
I think you have to be intellectually curious. You must be articulate and be able to explain things in a clear and concise manner. Most importantly, though, you have to care about helping young people pursue their dreams. That’s not a skill, but it’s the most important part of the job.

Do you have any advice for those who are looking to launch a career in your field?
Get ready for a long journey! It takes many years to earn a doctorate and become a professor. However, the effort is worth it. I love my job. The journey is tough though. You have to be persistent.