Unfair Accusations from My Professor During a Code Interview
Recently, during my computer science class, we were required to participate in a code interview as part of an assignment. Attendance was mandatory for credit, so I showed up as instructed. The professor reviewed my code and asked me to explain it. Nowhere in the assignment did it state that I was prohibited from seeking help.
As I began to explain my code, I stumbled upon a small section that I didn’t quite understand. I openly admitted, “I don’t know what that means,” but continued to describe the rest of my work. Instead of moving on, the professor started pressing me intensely about my lack of understanding of that one detail.
At that moment, I mentioned that I had received some assistance from a tutor (who isn’t affiliated with the school). His reaction was immediate and dramatic; he claimed, “Well, I never said you couldn’t get help.” However, then he abruptly shifted gears and began to make serious accusations, implying that I had cheated or plagiarized someone else’s code. I was taken aback—being accused of such a serious allegation is substantial. I firmly denied cheating because I hadn’t; I had simply sought some tutoring. Yet, the professor kept insisting, almost trying to force me into a “confession” for something I didn’t do.
Communicating effectively has always been a challenge for me, and the situation only exacerbated my difficulties. Out of nowhere, he stood up and declared, “I will decide whether or not to grade this,” before abruptly kicking me out.
So, what do you think? Did I handle this incorrectly?
Edit: Just to clarify, I have short-term memory loss, which complicates my ability to retain information.
I’m really sorry to hear about your experience. It sounds incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially since you were trying your best to explain your code. From what you’ve described, it seems unfair for the professor to jump to conclusions without considering the context of your struggle, particularly given your learning challenges.
It’s important to seek clarification on the expectations around the interview and help—if the assignment didn’t specify that you couldn’t get assistance, it seems unreasonable for him to question your integrity after you mentioned getting help. Professors should foster an environment where students feel comfortable admitting when they don’t understand something without fear of being accused of cheating.
Have you considered discussing this situation with a mentor, advisor, or another faculty member? It might also be beneficial to reach out to your college’s academic support services or ombuds office. They could help you navigate this situation and ensure that your concerns are heard and taken seriously. You deserve a fair opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the material.