 While working on his doctorate, Brands taught social studies and math—courses including world history, American history, Algebra II and calculus—at Kirby Hall School and Austin Community College District.His preferred method of transit was his bicycle as he commuted between classes at the University of Texas and his teaching responsibilities at the college preparatory school on the fringe of the UT campus and ACC's Rio Grande site in Central Austin.In his first year after completing his doctorate, Brands worked as an oral historian at the University of Texas School of Law.