[4] She joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Texas A&M University in 1983 as an assistant professor.
She was promoted to associate professor in 1990, at the same time adding a joint appointment with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
[4] Her administrative work for the university began in 1991 with a position as assistant dean of graduate studies in engineering.
Watson stated that recused herself from dealings with her wife's center, and claimed that she was denied due process in the removal.
[5][6] Watson became an IEEE Fellow in 1999, "for contributions to engineering education, including outreach to women and minorities and accreditation".