What’s an Instructional Support Specialist?What’s an Instructional Support Specialist?

I’m not sure, but here’s how I became one.I’m not sure, but here’s how I became one.

Ross A. LazearRoss A. LazearAMS Career Fair - 4 April 2011AMS Career Fair - 4 April 2011

It all started when…It all started when…

• Weather-obsessed kid growing up in MinnesotaWeather-obsessed kid growing up in Minnesota• Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science at the Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science at the

University of Wisconsin, in Madison, WIUniversity of Wisconsin, in Madison, WI

It all started when…It all started when…

• Summer before senior year:Summer before senior year:– Began research project with synoptic professor Began research project with synoptic professor

Michael MorganMichael Morgan

My extremely messy research lab

Graduate SchoolGraduate School

• Master of Science degree at Wisconsin (RA)Master of Science degree at Wisconsin (RA)– Advisor: Michael C. MorganAdvisor: Michael C. Morgan

– Continued research from undergrad, as well as additional Continued research from undergrad, as well as additional projects, several conferencesprojects, several conferences

• Fourth semester (out of five): Fourth semester (out of five): – TA’ed AOS 101: Weather and ClimateTA’ed AOS 101: Weather and Climate

– Fell in love with teaching! Fell in love with teaching!

…….but chose to finish graduate studies with a M.S. (for the time .but chose to finish graduate studies with a M.S. (for the time being)being)

– How can I teach without a Ph.D.?How can I teach without a Ph.D.?

Applying for JobsApplying for Jobs

• Used many job sites:Used many job sites:– Univ. Oklahoma, Penn. State job boardsUniv. Oklahoma, Penn. State job boards

– National Weather AssociationNational Weather Association

– AMSAMS

– USA JobsUSA Jobs

– Indeed.comIndeed.com

• September 2007: Found Instructor September 2007: Found Instructor position at Albany!position at Albany!

• January 2008: InterviewedJanuary 2008: Interviewed

• March 2008: OfferedMarch 2008: Offered

• May 2008: Moved!May 2008: Moved!

How Did I Get the Job?How Did I Get the Job?

• Teaching experience in graduate schoolTeaching experience in graduate school

• Research in a strong synoptic groupResearch in a strong synoptic group

• Forecasting experience and ability in the Forecasting experience and ability in the WxChallengeWxChallenge

How Can You Teach in Atmospheric Science?How Can You Teach in Atmospheric Science?

• Jobs like mine are relatively rare…Jobs like mine are relatively rare…– Instructor positions at various Atmos. Sci. programsInstructor positions at various Atmos. Sci. programs

– Most college-level teaching and/or research jobs require Most college-level teaching and/or research jobs require a Ph.D.a Ph.D.

– I can thank Mike Landin for “creating” my position!I can thank Mike Landin for “creating” my position!

• Becoming a Becoming a professor professor requires:requires:– Ph.D., and typically a 1-2 yr. Post-doc if research Univ.Ph.D., and typically a 1-2 yr. Post-doc if research Univ.

– Strong research (and publication) backgroundStrong research (and publication) background