Career Reflections

Career Reflections Collection

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of Microsoft Research, we invited innovators in computer science and related fields to join us for a day to look back and then forward to the next 20 years of computer science. These reflections on advice to young scientists are provided as a gift to the computer science community. We plan to release one set of thoughts per month over the anniversary year. We hope you'll subscribe to the series and check in again soon.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM A DAY OF REFLECTION

This overview video captures highlights from a day of brainstorming and discussions at Microsoft Research. Six groups (teams Babbage, Boole, Gödel, Turing, Shannon, and Simon), composed of Microsoft Research computer scientists and their colleagues from other research organizations, reflected separately about the past 20 years and the future to come, in the context of providing advice to young scientists. Afterwards, participants came together to listen to briefings about the discussions from the chairs of each team.

Understand Through Teaching

Greg Morrisett, Allen B. Cutting Professor of Computer Science, Harvard University

Embrace Computing

Tom Daniel, Komen Endowed Chair of Biology, University of Washington

Embracing Applications And Building Skillsets

Deborah Estrin, Professor of Computer Science, UCLA

Role models and inspiration

Ed Lazowska, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington

Mentor, empower, and share the credit

Ed Lazowska, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington

Leadership and service

Ed Lazowska, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington

Know Thyself

Dave Patterson, Pardee Professor of Computer Science, UC Berkeley

Know the Whole Stack

Dave Patterson, Pardee Professor of Computer Science, UC Berkeley

Surround Yourself With Geniuses

Edward Feigenbaum, Kumagai Professor of Computer Science Emeritus, Stanford University

Top Down and Bottom Up

Edward Feigenbaum, Kumagai Professor of Computer Science Emeritus, Stanford University

Stretch Into the Unknown

Robert Colwell, Deputy Director of the Microsystems Technology Office, DARPA

Learn From Failure

Robert Colwell, Deputy Director of the Microsystems Technology Office, DARPA

Select Relevant Problems

Eva Tardos, Jacob Schurman Professor of Computer Science, Cornell University

Theory and Practice

Eva Tardos, Jacob Schurman Professor of Computer Science, Cornell University

Supporting Diversity

Eva Tardos, Jacob Schurman Professor of Computer Science, Cornell University

Doing Service

Eva Tardos, Jacob Schurman Professor of Computer Science, Cornell University