Teaching Oriented Academic Careers:

The Landscape is Broader than You Think

Orlando, Florida – June 21, 2023

Overview

FCRC 2023 – Orlando, Florida

Wednesday, June 21, 5:30-9:30 pm

Options are increasing for PhD recipients who want to pursue a career focused on undergraduate teaching. Most PhD-granting departments have introduced a teaching faculty track, often with academic rank, while many masters-granting and primarily undergraduate institutions are expanding their computer science departments. Teaching-focused faculty often pursue research with undergraduates or research on computer science education.

This workshop is intended for PhD students and postdocs who want to learn about academic career options with a focus on teaching and gain a better understanding of the landscape of academic positions. Experienced and successful academic leaders as well as junior faculty in different teaching oriented positions will highlight how to best prepare for the different teaching positions and compare teaching-focused career paths.

Workshop sessions will focus on the responsibilities, benefits, challenges, and opportunities of different teaching-focused career paths, including information on what’s needed to be a competitive candidate. The workshop concludes with a networking reception where potential candidates can meet representatives from institutions with teaching focused positions.

A box dinner will be provided to registered participants.

Attending the Workshop

To attend this workshop, you must be registered for FCRC AND complete the CRA-E Landscape registration form (button above).

We strongly encourage you to register for this workshop, so that we can ensure there is adequate space and food. If you are registered for an FCRC conference but not for this workshop, you may walk-in on a space-available basis, but we cannot guarantee meals will be available for unregistered participants.

Agenda

Agenda

5:30-6:00 Welcome

Welcome and introductions. Small group setup with leaders engaging participants in ice-breaker activities to set a safe environment for discussion and questions.

6:00-6:50 Teaching-Oriented Career Paths

Panelists: Alison Norman (University of Texas at Austin), Jason Forsyth (James Mason University), Charlie Curtsinger (Grinnell College), Brian Railing (Carnegie Mellon University)

Session Chair: Kelly Shaw (Williams College)

Experienced faculty in teaching-focused positions at a range of institutions will describe and reflect on their jobs. Topics will include expectations for teaching, advising, research, and service; pathways for job security and promotion; roles within the department and institution; support and mentoring; joys and challenges.

6:50-7:00 Break

7:00-7:50 From Grad Student To Professor

Panelists: Robbie Weber (University of Washington), Jomara Sandbulte (University of Minnesota at Duluth), Kristy Gardner (Amherst College)

Session Chair: Drew Hilton (Duke University)

Early-career faculty in teaching-oriented positions at a range of institutions will reflect on their graduate school preparation for teaching-focused careers, their stories from the academic job search, and their experiences as new faculty.

7:50-8:00 Break

8:00-9:00 What Are Recruiting Committees Looking For?

Panelists: Yael Gertner (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), Fernando Gonzales (Florida Gulf Coast University), Stephen Freund (Williams College)

Session Chair: Janet Davis (Whitman College)

Department and search committee chairs from a range of institutions discuss what makes a strong applicant and a successful application at their respective institutions. They explain search committee goals, criteria, and timelines, as well as what candidates can expect during screening interviews, campus interviews, and offer negotiations.

9:00- 9:30 Networking Reception

The reception will set up tables with selected discussion topics and match participants with representatives from institutions having positions they are interested in.

Organizers