This client applied for the role of Teaching Scholar (Mechanical) in the tertiary sector and gained a job interview. A total of 17 selection criteria required addressing which were separated into Essential and Desirable Sections. The Essentials section contained four key headings (Qualifications, Teaching, Other, and Personal Qualities); and the Desirable component contained three selection criteria listed under the heading ‘Experience, Knowledge and Skills’. It was a long application but as stated in a previous blog, I aim to keep the addressing of selection criteria to strictly five pages maximum unless otherwise specified.
ESSENTIAL:
QUALIFICATIONS:
A postgraduate qualification in Mechanical Engineering or relevant field.
I was awarded a PhD in Engineering from RRR University in 2009. The PhD project was a collaboration between RRR University, CRC-ACS and Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) funded by the United States Office of Naval Research to investigate the damage criticality of a composite polymer ship structure. It resulted in five publications for the journal, Composite Structures (Impact factor: 2.550). I also presented at two international conferences such as the (Australian International Aerospace Congress (AIAC) and International Conference for Composite Structures (ICCS).
TEACHING:
Ability to contribute effectively to the Faculty’s undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programs in a manner that influences, motivates, and inspires students to learn.
As an engineering teacher, my teaching philosophy is influenced by Kolb’s experience learning theories. In my classes, I encouraged students to apply the theoretical concepts taught in class. For in the ‘Aerodynamic’ subject, the assessment component mainly focused on the students’ problem solving abilities. Therefore, face-to-face class sessions were mainly used for problem solving activities in addition to short lectures in between. In 2013, the Good Teaching Scale (GTS) and (Overall Satisfaction Index (OSI) results from the survey were graded at 82% and 94% respectively. My average GTS and OSI results for the other three subjects I taught in that year were 90% and 95% respectively.
PERSONAL QUALITIES:
Interpersonal skills that demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, the staff of the School, Faculty and with other members of the University.
In my research career, I supervised a student for a summer internship program. I provided one-on-one coaching sessions to help him perform above and beyond the initial tasks required. Coaching was an instrumental resource which helped him to publish his work for an international conference publication. As well as undertaking the duties of a sessional teacher, I contributed to three LLL projects. The projects were dedicated in advancing of the learning and teaching at RRR University. I was selected to participate in the projects due to consistently meeting the deadline set the by project leader. In my dealings with the project leader, I shared my interest in undertaking a minor thesis (as part of my Master of Education program) that could contribute to the organisation. I modified his research proposal to suit my interests as well as to ensure that it was acceptable for a minor thesis.
DESIRABLE:
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Administration of academic programs.
My main duty as a teacher in the School of Vocational Engineering for the Associate Degree program at RRR University involves coordinating three subjects per semester. As a subject coordinator, I publish the learning program for the semester, prepare learning resources, design assessments, provide regular feedback to the students, and release the students’ final results. Due to my excellent performance, I was given greater accountability in coordinating a large cohort of students (total enrolment of 286) for the subject ‘Engineering Materials’ which comprises two lecture groups, seven tutorial groups, and four teaching staff including myself.
I’m here to help market you!
Cheers,
Annie Cerone
