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Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

O*NET files this work under Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary: people who teach courses in computer science. The skills rated most useful are instructing, writing, and speaking. One core duty is to prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts. With a code of SIC, this is mostly a job for people drawn to helping, teaching or caring for people. Investigative interests also help, rated 5.7 out of 7. Getting in usually takes graduate school and often five years or more of related experience, a level O*NET calls extensive preparation. A regular part of the work is to compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others. If you want helping, teaching or caring for people, keep it on your list. If you need leading, persuading and making business decisions, it may feel thin.

What they do

Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Main tasks

  • Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
  • Compile, administer, and grade examinations or assign this work to others.
  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory work, assignments, and papers.
  • Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
  • Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

Skills

  • Instructing
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Learning Strategies
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You get energy from helping other people move forward.
  • You enjoy working out why something happens, not just what happened.
  • You are prepared for graduate-level study and a long training path.
  • You are comfortable relying on instructing and writing.

May not suit you if

  • You find a full day of dealing with people draining.
  • You want to lead people or run the business side. Enterprising rates 2.3 out of 7 here.
  • You want to be working in the field within the next few years.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code SIC takes the three highest, and Social comes first here.

Preparation

Extensive preparation. Many jobs here need graduate study, and people often spend five years or more building specialist experience.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: Master's Degree. This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Assistant Professor
  • Associate Professor
  • Computer Information Systems Instructor (CIS Instructor)
  • Computer Science Instructor
  • Computer Science Professor

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.