Columbia University - all course assistant experience

This post will go over my experience as a course assistant at Columbia University from Fall 2018 to Fall 2021, this post will go over my experience as a course assistant at Columbia University.

Courses Assisted

• Introduction to Electrical Engineering (Fall 2018 - Spring 2019)
  • Supported over 100 students in mastering foundational concepts such as circuit analysis and Boolean logic
  • Graded homework assignments, ensuring hands-on learning and practical application of theoretical knowledge
  • Conducted weekly office hours to provide one-on-one guidance and address student questions alongside Professor David Vallancourt
• Security II (Spring 2019, Spring 2020) – Head Teaching Assistant
  • Conducted office hour sessions covering key security topics such as security architecture and threat modeling
  • Collaborated with Professor Steven Bellovin in Spring 2020 and Professor Debra Cook in Spring 2019 to refine course content and improve the clarity of assignments.
• Security I (Fall 2020, Fall 2021) – Head Teaching Assistant
  • Held office hours to provide in-depth guidance on key security topics, including cryptographic protocols (HMAC, AES, OpenSSL), web application security, and network security.
  • Developed supplemental study materials on CI/CD practices and fuzzing techniques, enabling students to write more comprehensive test cases for their homework, ultimately enhancing the quality of their code.
  • Collaborated with Professor Steven Bellovin in Fall 2020 and Professor Suman Jana in Fall 2021 to refine course content and improve the clarity of assignments.
• Computer Networks (Spring 2021) – Head Teaching Assistant
  • Supported students in understanding networking concepts such as TCP/IP and routing protocols during office hours
  • Designed and provided skeleton code for homework assignments, offering students a structured starting point and helpful hints to approach the problems effectively.
  • Collaborated with other TAs to solve homework problems in advance, ensuring we were prepared to assist students with their questions and challenges” for better readability
  • Managed course logistics such as tracking late days and reporting cases of academic dishonesty on behalf of Professor Henning Schulzrinne

Key Contributions

• Improved Course Materials: Worked closely with professors to enhance course content, streamline grading rubrics, and ensure assignments aligned with learning objectives.
• Mentorship: Provided academic and career guidance to students, helping them navigate technical challenges and explore opportunities in their fields.
• Technical Expertise: Leveraged hands-on experience to assist students with practical applications of theoretical concepts, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Impact

• Supported over 200 students across four courses, contributing to their academic success and technical growth.
• Helped modernize course workflows by introducing efficient grading practices and creating supplemental resources.
• Fostered a collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to engage deeply with course material and develop critical problem-solving skills.