[2] Washburn's first academic appointment was as an instructor of chemistry at Connecticut Agricultural College in 1883, where he remained until 1887 when he traveled to Germany for his doctoral studies.

Additionally, he was respected nationally serving as the chairperson of the Section on Mechanic Arts of the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, and in 1894 made the treasurer of the same organization.

[10] However, his self-opinionated and occasional undiplomatic manner with members of the college's Board of Managers led to his ouster and his resignation as president in 1902.

[2][11] Shortly after leaving Rhode Island, Washburn became the director of the newly founded National Farm School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

[14][15] In 1921, an agricultural laboratory building was built on the central quadrangle of the Rhode Island State College and named Washburn Hall in his honor.