Navigating Teaching Careers in Computing: CRA-E Career Landscape Workshop Series
By Matt Hazenbush, Director of Communications
With the rapid expansion of computing programs across academic institutions, demand for teaching-focused faculty has never been higher. Many PhD-granting departments now offer dedicated teaching faculty tracks, while master’s-granting and primarily undergraduate institutions continue to grow their faculty rosters. However, navigating the wide range of opportunities and understanding how to successfully enter this career path can be challenging.
To support those exploring teaching-focused careers, the CRA’s Education committee (CRA-E) will be hosting its annual CRA-E Career Landscape Workshop Series in May 2025. This free webinar series will introduce attendees to the different types of teaching-oriented positions, discuss how to prepare for a teaching-focused career, and provide guidance on the application and hiring process.
CRA-E Career Landscape Workshop Series
Building on the success of past workshops, the CRA-E Career Landscape Workshop Series provides valuable insights from experienced faculty across a variety of institutions. Each 80-minute session includes panel presentations, Q&A with panelists, and small-group discussions for networking and mentoring.
This virtual workshop series is intended for graduate students, postdocs, and industry professionals who want to learn about academic career options with an emphasis on teaching. Attendees from all computing disciplines are welcome.
Session Schedule:
- Tuesday, May 6: What is the landscape of teaching-oriented careers?
- Panelists: Nery Chapeton-Lamas (MiraCosta College), Drew Hilton (Duke University), Varsha Koushik (Colorado College), Suzanne Riviore (Sonoma State)
- Tuesday, May 13: How can I prepare myself for a teaching-oriented career?
- Panelists: Alan Jamieson (Northeastern University), Jeremiah Blanchard (University of Florida), Dietrich Geisler (Northwestern University), Lynn Kirabo (Harvey Mudd College)
- Tuesday, May 20: How do I apply for teaching-oriented positions?
- Panelists: Cynthia Taylor (Oberlin College), Kevin Lin (University of Washington), Victoria Dean (Olin College), Susanne Hambrusch (Purdue University)
All live sessions will be on Zoom at 6:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM CT / 4:30 PM MT / 3:30 PM PT.
Each session is designed to provide attendees with both broad insights and personalized advice from experienced faculty. The combination of panel discussions, Q&A, and networking opportunities will help participants make informed career decisions and succeed in the hiring process.
Participants may attend all three sessions or choose the ones most relevant to their interests. In addition, organizers and panelists will host online office hours later in the summer to provide further guidance on application materials.
Preparing for the Workshop
Before attending, participants are encouraged to watch Teaching Faculty 101, a recorded session featuring Drew Hilton, Professor of the Practice in Electrical and Computing Engineering at Duke University. This video provides foundational insights into teaching-oriented careers and will help attendees get the most out of the live discussions.
If you are considering a teaching-focused faculty career, don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experienced educators and gain valuable guidance on how to navigate this growing field.
