Innovators will usually have four main goals:

• Developing or creating new applications, relationships, systems, or products.
• Providing creative ideas or artistic contributions.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Benchmarking, experimenting and testing novel approaches to solving problems.

Technicians will often be asked these tasks:

• Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

• Maintaining computer equipment used in instruction.
• Evaluating and grading students’ class working, laboratory working, assignments, and papers.
• Maintaining student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
• Preparing and delivering lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as programming, data structures, and software design.
• Preparing course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
• Compiling, administering, and grading examinations or assigning this working to others.
• Keeping abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
• Initiating, facilitating, and moderating classroom discussions.
• Planning, evaluating, and revising curricula, course content, and course materials and methods of instruction.
• Supervising students’ laboratory working.
• Maintaining regularly scheduled office hours to advising and assisting students.