Professional Development
Engineering Teaching Assistant Certification
The Engineering Teaching Assistant Certification program provides professional learning opportunities in the fundamentals of engineering education, promoting student success and other aspects of fulfilling their responsibilities as educators and mentors. Certification is required for all new Cockrell School TAs during the first semester in which they are appointed. TAs who aspire to have a career in academia have additional opportunities to participate in a community of practice and attain an Advanced Engineering TA Certification.
The certification process consists of four elements, all of which must be completed to attain certification:
Eight-hour TA certification workshop
In-class observation or participation in a teaching practicum session
Early-semester survey of teaching effectiveness
Official UT Austin course-instructor survey (CIS or eCIS) — TA version
Pre-Certification: Training in Engineering Teaching Methods
All graduate students who have not been appointed as TAs are encouraged to participate in the Engineering TA Certification Workshop at any time. When a pre-certified graduate student is later appointed as a TA, he/she can complete the remaining certification requirements during the first semester of appointment to attain full Engineering Teaching Assistant Certification.
Advanced Engineering Teaching Assistant Certification
Certified Engineering Teaching Assistants can attain advanced-level certification by fulfilling the following requirements:
Participate in two continuing-education workshops, one of which can be outside the Cockrell School
Successfully complete an additional in-class observation and follow-up coaching
Develop a teaching statement and teaching portfolio
Preparing Future Faculty Workshops
All graduate students and post-docs, particularly those who aspire to have an academic career involving teaching and/or research, are welcome to participate in workshops that range from the following topics:
Developing your Curriculum Vitae (CV), Research Statement and Teaching Statement
Active learning strategies to increase student engagement and learning
Preparing to apply and interview for an engineering faculty position
Developing a research proposal
Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
The CTL offers multiple different professional development programs for graduate students, including a Teaching Preparation Series that can result in a “Teaching Preparation Certificate” or an “Advanced Teaching Preparation Certificate.”
Engineering Career Assistance Center (ECAC)
The ECAC offers career counseling, workshops, and networking opportunities. They have career counselors that can help you improve your job search, in both academia and industry. Through their ENGR Direct page, they also offer tips on resumes, job applications, and other job documents.
Office of Career and Life Design
Part of the Graduate School, the newly created Office of Career and Life Design offers professional development and career counseling for graduate students and post docs. They offer career advising for those looking to go on the job market, courses on career design or skill development, practice interviews and interview rooms, and networking events. Located at the Flawn Academic Center (FAC), on the 2nd floor (2.236), they will be holding events throughout the year for graduate students interested in professional development and future career plans.