Understanding My Journey to Becoming a Professor

My initial inclination towards a career path aligned more with hands-on work than teaching. Back then, I had a somewhat dismissive view of teaching, perceiving it as an excuse for those unable or unwilling to engage in practical work. However, my path to becoming a professor took a fascinating turn, which has profoundly impacted my career and personal development.

My Early Aspirations (Age 14 and Beyond)

Interestingly, my journey began when I thought I wanted to be a professor at the tender age of 14. I was quite naive, but looking back, it now strikes me as somewhat peculiar that I didn't pursue this path more seriously. Fast forward to my graduate school years, I was part of a teaching assistant (TA) role in my first year. Serving as a TA brought me a level of responsibility and engagement that I found stimulating and rewarding. Running a lab and handling recitation sections for introductory courses were experiences that I genuinely enjoyed. Yet, despite these experiences, I didn't find myself leaning towards a full-time professorship.

By my second year in graduate school, my primary focus shifted towards research. Collaborating with a postdoc and contributing to a paper made me realize that research could be a fulfilling career. Over time, I moved on to other projects and eventually focused on completing my dissertation. It was during this phase that I faced an unexpected turn of events that would pave the way for a different career path.

The Unexpected Path to Teaching

After completing my dissertation, I was more focused on pursuing research positions. However, a letter from my research advisor caught my attention. The letter was from the chair of the physics department of a neighboring college of science and engineering, enquiring if anyone knew of recent graduates or those about to graduate who would be available to teach during the spring semester while a professor was on medical leave. On a whim, I decided to apply for the position. My research was concluded, the paper was accepted, and I was just finalizing the thesis.

I applied, had an interview, and was asked to give a colloquium on my doctoral research. It was on that campus, and only after a few weeks into teaching, that I realized this was my calling. I had almost walked into an interview with IBM Research, but then I realized that teaching was something I truly wanted to do. So, I canceled the interview and decided to continue with teaching.

Conclusion

Since then, my career as a professor has been a rewarding one. I can’t imagine having chosen a different path. The journey from skepticism to full commitment has been both challenging and enlightening. It’s a testament to the unexpected paths life can take and the importance of staying open to new experiences.