Diana Franklin
University of Chicago
Chicago, IL USA
"My pivot to educational research was right for me—I have more than enough passion and commitment to be a professor in that!"
Career Roadmap
Diana's work combines: Education, Design, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Here's the path I took:
High School
Live Oak High School
Bachelor's Degree
BS
University of California, Davis
Graduate Degree
M.CS.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Doctorate
PhD
University of California, Davis
Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be an Associate Professor:
Bachelor's Degree: BS
Graduate Degree: M.CS.
Doctorate: PhD
Learn more about different paths to this career
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I first got my PhD in computer architecture and became a professor at a primarily-undergraduate institution with that focus. I earned tenure in that area.
2.
I then got married, and I chose to take a more teaching position at a research school and switch to educational research. I loved it, but too much time teaching to do the amount of research I wanted.
3.
I then went to University of Chicago and eventually earned a professor position in computer science education. I am finally back to being a tenured professor - in a new field and at a research school.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Teachers:
You don't have the commitment and passion it takes to be a professor.
How I responded:
This came from a professor at a university to which I wanted to apply. I later realized it was because he thought I should be obsessed with my work. I enjoyed my work, but I was not obsessed with it, and I felt forward discussing it in professional social situations. I took an education-related path because I had more passion for education than architecture research. My pivot to educational research was right for me - I have more than enough passion and commitment to be a professor in that!
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I made decisions to avoid the worst-case - poverty - instead of making decisions based on what I wanted. It was only after I was financially secure that I was able to take risks and pursue what I really loved. I wish I had found a middle ground.