Preparation Practices: Faculty Perspectives on Technical Interviews at Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the Southeastern Region of the United States Conference

Thapaliya, A, Lunn, SJ, Dillon, EC et al. (2025). Preparation Practices: Faculty Perspectives on Technical Interviews at Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the Southeastern Region of the United States . 10.1109/FIE63693.2025.11328220

cited authors

  • Thapaliya, A; Lunn, SJ; Dillon, EC; Williams, KL

authors

abstract

  • This research full paper examines conceptions of technical interview preparation, with a focus on computing faculty from Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the southeastern region of the United States. Educators can play a key role in students' learning and understanding, yet how they may conceptualize this in the hiring process remains underexplored. Guided by Social Cognitive Career Theory, we conducted semistructured interviews with n=8 faculty and assessed them with reflexive thematic analysis. Participants suggested that students often prepare through: Online Resources (e.g., coding websites, AI tools), Community Support (e.g., faculty guidance, networking), and Self-Development (e.g., enhancing their communication, resilience). They also mentioned that educators could play a greater role by: Providing Encouragement, Forming Industry Connections, Embedding Efforts within Courses, Embedding Efforts Outside Courses, Establishing Efforts Outside Courses, and through Training for Educators (i.e., on technical interviews and improving their own English). At the institutional level, faculty spoke to: Welcoming Hispanic and LatinĂ© students (e.g., through Spanish-language resources and cultural support), Increasing Opportunity Access (e.g., financial and career services), and Forging External Partnerships (e.g., the value of visiting professorships). This study seeks to inform and encourage opportunities to bridge the gap between academic preparation and career attainment.

publication date

  • January 1, 2025

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)