More Thoughts about CMU SCS

TA’ing

• Material development, including but not limited to assignment and recitation development, is easily the most fulfilling part of TA’ing. However, as it falls under education design, it is critical that proper procedures for that is followed, which involves the creation and alignment of formal learning goals, assessments, and instruction. This often requires consultation with resources like the Eberly Center as well as veteran TAs and professors. It also requires quite a bit of teaching experience to understand what kind of pedagogical material works well with students.

Research

• Most people don’t find themselves ready to do research until junior year at the earliest. Although it’s probably not very hard to find a research opportunity earlier on, most people report not being able to accomplish anything.