2nd September marked the first day i set foot in uitm as a lecturer. Armed with my masters degree and supposedly 'sweet' smile, I was introduced earlier to the other lecturers and staffs by the dean himself. Later during the day, this is what happened:

Scene 1: in the elevator. the writer is going back home after following the dean everywhere around the faculty. There was a senior lecturer also waiting for the elevator with her.

Senior lecturer: Are you the new lecturer?
The writer      : Yes that's me (smile 'sweetly' -or so she thought)
Senior lecturer: Laa.. You look like a student

strike one

Scene 2: In a senior lecturer's room (another senior lecturer)

The Writer      : Doc, I wana ask you about a lecture
Senior lecturer : Yes, what can I help you with?
The Writer      : I'm supposed to take over Dr O's class, but I'm not entirely sure what I'm supposed to teach
Senior lecturer : Oh, you're a lecturer? I thought you're a student!

Strike two

Dang! That whole situation makes me wonder, what exact criterias define a lecturer? Except for the obvious fact that they're giving lectures to students of course. Is it the way they walk? or the way they talked? maybe it's the way they dress? Help me, cause I'm totally clueless.