Cecil Short

Companies and Schools: 
Texas Tech University

Job Titles:
Assistant Professor of Practice

Why did you pursue a career in the instructional design and technology field?
I saw what instructional technology was capable of doing to help K-12 learners and I wanted to learn more about how to use technology effectively in K-12 contexts, as well as help others in K-12 contexts learn how to use technology effectively.

What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities in your roles?
Besides the common roles of teaching courses in my department, conducting research, and mentoring students, I get the opportunity to work side-by-side with K-12 practitioners to transform their pedagogy. A lot of my work focuses on partnering with teachers, coaches, and administrators who spend everyday working with a very diverse set of learners. I help these stakeholders serve their learners by equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to design, implement, and evaluate technology-integrated teaching and learning.

How have you found your jobs? What advice do you have for someone trying to find a job in the instructional design and technology field?
I knew from the beginning of the program that I wanted to search for a faculty position. This knowledge directed everything I did in the program. Searching for a job may start in the last year of the program, but preparing for the job search really starts on day one. As soon as you know what it is you would like to do, begin looking at job postings and start building the skills and knowledge that you will need to be effective in your desired job.

In what ways did your graduate program prepare you for your career?
I was able to work on my teaching and research skills from day one (and actually even before my first day in the department) because I reached out to faculty members and got involved in their ongoing projects and teaching opportunities. I also found lots of opportunities for service by attending conferences and working with the faculty and staff on campus. All of these experiences helped me to build a strong CV for my job applications.