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Challenges for faculty from schools with Smaller Eda programs. Yiorgos Makris Associate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009. Universities with small EDA programs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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CHALLENGES FOR FACULTY FROM SCHOOLS WITH SMALLER EDA PROGRAMSYiorgos MakrisAssociate Professor, Departments of EE & CS Yale University
DAC Young Faculty Workshop --- July 27, 2009
Universities with small EDA programs Eclectic, mostly private, schools with focus
on liberal arts and low emphasis on engineering
Traditional EE/CS departments heavy in applied science rather than engineering
Newer schools trying to build up in the area Does size matter?
It sure does!!! Especially if your area requires heavy development to facilitate research
But “small” does not mean “inadequate”
Challenge (1): Limited Infrastructure Lab space Equipment Software tools Possible Remedies:
Prepare concise proposal - educate the department
Invest the time/money to build up & learn Leverage “teaching needs” to fund infrastructure Make use of educational discounts Seek donations from industry
Challenge (2): Limited Manpower Ability to attract high-quality students Collaboration opportunities Technical support Possible Remedies:
Active pre-emptive recruiting, use your contacts Keep an open mind: true interdisciplinary
research may hold far more potential Cast your net wide: collaborate across schools Play along: IT usually curious to learn new
things
Challenge (3): Limited Knowledge Pertinent graduate courses In-house collective expertise CAD research culture Possible Remedies:
Hold weekly meetings, mix it up, make it fun Start a seminar, invite high-profile colleagues Expose your group to technical meetings Educational opportunities (DASS, CADathlon,
etc.) Leverage collaborations to challenge your
students
Challenge (4): Limited Visibility Industrial contacts Federal government agencies “Research center” accessibility Possible Remedies:
Student & visiting faculty summer positions Introduce research portfolio to program directors Short visits with “research center” schools Contacts may help but technical content is the key Remember: it takes time… be persistent but
patient
Challenge (5): Limited Mentorship Feedback on research topics Guidance in seeking funds, grant writing, etc. Championing (committees, awards, etc.) Possible Remedies:
Talk to people… Informal feedback is very effective Find external mentor, make it official if possible Get yourself invited to proposal review panels Volunteer your time, community will bring you up Ask… but don’t be a pest
Challenge (6): Limited Understanding Definition of impact Appreciation of contributions Calibration of departmental expectations Possible Remedies:
Semi-annual discussion with Chair Educate your mentor, use success story
examples Have your visitors meet the senior faculty Publicize achievements in your field Make yourself visible and sought after
Summary Longer lead time and additional effort
needed: view as opportunity rather than impediment
Don’t complain – explain:be prepared to educate your department
Choose your battles wisely:remember that change happens slowly
Understand the constraints & be flexible:adversity is not always your enemy
Summary (cont’d) Position yourself at the driver’s seat:
leverage connections, emit positive outlook Make yourself known in your community:
compete on quality, not quantity Take advantage of personal feel of small
places: make yourself an integral part of department
Have fun!!! It’s your choice to be there after all:if truly unhappy, be prepared to make a change