do u want to teach or do u want to become an academician? there's a difference. if u like to teach, then i strongly suggest just becoming a part-time lecturer attached to an IPT. they will call u from time to time to teach, while still being able to practice.

when u become a full-fledged lecturer, u have other responsibilities apart from teaching - u will do research, publication, consultancy, public/community service and so on. basically teaching is just about 1/5th of ur entire job description. a lot of people got put off, which is why the young would be lecturers joined IPTs and suddenly left after a year.

however, should u accept that possibility, there will be time for u to practice. if u're in IPTA that is. some IPTAs have special programmes to allow their academic staff gain practical experience and exposure. some allow them to do part time, others like UTM allow them to take 1 year off (paid) for them to gain field experience every 5-7 years.

i only had 1 year when i applied. so yes.

but remember, it also depends on what the faculty needs. for example, if the faculty already had a whole bunch of academicians with practical experience (or even have their own practice running around), they wont even look at ur job experience.

but if they are in dire need of somebody with practical experience, u might be out of luck. my suggestion, ask around, particularly the faculty members. do some research before u apply. it's one job that requires u to do so extensively .