1Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

Career PanelEverything That I Wish I Knew Before I

Graduated

A look back to my PhD time: Typical experience as a TA Typical focus on research

Computing Science Combinatorics and Optimization

Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

2

Graphs

Discrete Optimization

Enumeration

3Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

What I learned afterwards as a faculty member: Duties involve:

Teaching

Research

Service

How to be better prepared?

4Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

Teaching Vast amount of resources: studies, discussions,

workshops, etc.

How do people learn? Input Modality: visual vs. verbal learners

• Most people are visual learners• Most course content is verbal (e.g., lectures)

Processing: active vs. reflective learners• Most lectures are passive, so

Active learners don’t get to act on the material Reflective learners don’t do much reflecting

5Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

How do teachers work? Deductive (traditional)

Fundamentals Derivations Examples Homeworks

Inductive (inquiry, problem-based learning) Challenges Define problems Instruction

find/refine solutions

6Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

How to communicate learning objectives?

7Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

Research Developing a research program Maintaining depth, increasing breadth Understanding grant writing Embarking on collaborative research work

8Graduate Student's Workshop on Networks Research, U. of A.

Services Scientific:

peer reviewing in journals and conferences Administrative:

Committees: undergraduate, graduate, outreach

Skills Communication skillsTeam management skillsTime management skills