This is a link to an article I wrote for Inlandia Literary Journeys. Each Sunday’s Life section of the Press Enterprise features a different guest column. This is from 3/13/2016. Share, enjoy, and read other postings on the subject of writing here –
The Creative Pause, Larry Burns
Filed under career, college teaching, critical thinking, UOPX, writing
Metrics! No matter your job, there are data available to validate, educate, or eliminate you! A solid organization will utilize all three purposes while managing the people side of the operation. During my decade in higher education, “educate” would seem a natural fit, but metrics applied in higher education can make people wonder just what they taught us at our alma maters.
If you were ever a college student, you know that the preferred method of gathering metrics from students is through the end of course survey. One concern is that they tend to attract your most ardent supporters and frustrated detractors. To be fair, that is an unscientific opinion supported by personal experience over several years. I would be pleasantly surprised to find otherwise, so if there is good evidence to the contrary, please let me know.
A second concern has to do with the psychological effect looking at my scores has on me. As much as I say and believe that I am not competitive, I sure find plenty of evidence to the contrary. Since I teach a class on thinking critically about data, I should know better. Actually, I do know better. I also know that if Vegas ever offers betting options on what motivates decisions – emotions or evidence – put your kid’s college fund on “emotion”. But I look at the score, then immediately see how my score compares with the University average. Above average means I have been validated and I am a great teacher and should keep on keepin’ on. Below average and I may need to revise my syllabus, dust off the CV, or both.
Now that I teach several times per week instead of a few times per year, I am on campus a good deal. Which means I get to run into students from my early courses on a regular basis. I like these student interactions because they tell a story better than the data sets. As someone who teachers with a philosophy that we all enjoy stories and should tailor our communications to that reality, it makes sense for me.
Recently I ran into three students from three different classes on the same day! First, I enjoyed the fact that enough of my students persisted through their early coursework in order for me to run into them! Second, I remembered two of their names! More importantly, the short conversations we had between classes left me feeling that I am making a difference. One talked about his tough but survivable Math class, and how it related to some of our discussion topics in English. The other warned me that there are still plenty of teachers still doing the “Death by PowerPoint” thing. He said if the military could not break him with months of jargon-filled slides, an occasional four hour session of them was not going to stop him either. The third conversation was the most supportive and it came from a student that really did not like my class all that much. We talked about work stuff and parted with a friendly handshake.
All three interactions came about by chance. A chance that happened only because they chose to stick with the program and I chose to be out and about at my campus. For me, it was validating. To see them still at it, to see they wanted to continue the conversation long after they had to, helps me understand my goal as a professor. It is not to get a higher score than my peers. If I truly wish to help them “Rise”, I must make it a point to see them, and hear them, long after they have passed my class.
Filed under college teaching, critical thinking, higher education, metrics, UOPX
Going into the final weeks of my University Studies course, career development gets some well deserved attention. One of the skills a successful student (and student of teaching) must have is intrapersonal intelligence. For me, it’s the ability dial in your GPS career coordinates in the now. Then, look back to understand the motivations, people, and circumstances that brought you to this moment. Then use that data to glimpse potential futures.
I’ve had my fair share of juicy plot twists along the way.
I worked for my first employer from ’86 to ’96. In ’93 I had my first son and took three weeks vacation to be home with him and my wife. Result? My old-school boss wrote me up for “lack of dedication” to my job. Human Resources helped my boss understand that the world had changed since he worked for Sterling Cooper.
Lesson learned? Take nothing for granted – not your legal work rights and certainly never assume your employer has your best interests in mind.
In 1996, I cashed in my 401(k), left the only company I ever worked for, and joined the entrepreneur-class. I was a third generation printer; what could go wrong? Eighteen months later, I joined the ranks of the failed business owner. I even sold my car to keep the business alive a few more months.
Lessons learned? One, don’t go into a business just because you think it can make money. I did not like printing but it was all I knew. I probably would have failed in another business though because I also learned…I prefer to work for other people. There! I have outed myself. In this vague period of self-directed and self-employed and completely empowered version of work we see today, I say “no thanks”.
I like being part of a group, I like not having to make all the decisions, and I really like a dependable paycheck!
The rest of the 90’s and early 2000’s were various sales jobs. Good jobs sure, but the limited jobs available to a person with hustle, the ability to wear a tie, and NO COLLEGE degree. So just like in 1992, when I realized how much more career advancement was possible in an office vs a production line, I leveraged my relationships and experience and vaulted onto a new path.
My volunteer efforts landed me an interview for a Director of Career Services job with a 9-month certification school. I was not qualified but got the job anyway (see previous paragraph, re: Hustle). This was six months after earning my English degree. Then I did some calculated jumping, similar to what James Citrin advises in his blog, How to Move From Job to Job. My goal? To get a job at a degree granting college.
Over the next ten years, I stayed in the same role (Director), in the same field (Career Development) in the same industry (Post Secondary Education). But I learned about the many ways education is delivered. I worked at nationally accredited colleges, market-driven colleges, and a state college. It was not always pretty, but I also was fortunate to serve a similar student cohort everywhere I worked – first generation college students from Inland Southern California.
So, flipping to the last chapter, I gear up to break into a new career in Summer 2014. My gift arrives, just at the top of the story arc, 3 days after Christmas: An interview to teach first year college students full time. I get the job! How? Patient and deliberate (somewhat) planning. It was the culmination of my effort and intentions over the last two decades. It was setting up a SMART goal. It was using the tools at hand.
I wrote, revised, and edited that story for years. Lots of blank pages left. Time to get to class and write some more.
What’s your career story? Ready to tell it? Better yet, are you ready to live it? If not, today is a great day to start.
Filed under career, college teaching, employment, higher education, training
want me to staple that for you?
More good training today. Everyone returned for Day 2 which is a good sign. How cool is this…I am now one of more than 300 full time faculty working at University of Phoenix. I love being part of something bigger than myself and that’s how it feels at the moment.
My short discussion today will focus on the more pedestrian parts of telecommuting –
Dress code/grooming – Today I’m dressed to engage my body AND mind. I’m in workout clothes, no shoes…but I did brush my teeth! I bought an exercise ball to use as a chair. Doing core exercises and learning how to make students feel welcome on their first day, feels like a win to me.
My co-worker, Blue the Mastiff-Shepard mix, is guarding my door against intruders and interlopers – Good Boy!
Not for nothing, but I’m in a good spot to work and keep an eye on the neighborhood. Has not been too distracting. I’ve managed to get all my work done, now I can watch some more tutorials and search for some neat things to bring to class next Wednesday!
Filed under higher education
