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Herman, Professor at CSU Long Beach: Advize Career Interview
Discover a unique perspective on academia from a CSU Long Beach professor who initially pursued data analytics!
This professor's unexpected journey began with juggling various jobs to finance college, eventually leading to a rewarding career in education.
Hear about a typical day involves teaching, student interaction, and committee work, balancing a "nine-to-five" schedule with weekend grading and staying current to engage students.
Learn how strong communication, adaptability, and collaboration are key to thriving in this student-centered environment, where the biggest challenge is navigating the slow pace of institutional change.
This person most enjoys helping students achieve "light bulb moments," and the constant turnover of students.
They value the work-life balance and flexibility teaching offers, emphasizing networking, stepping outside comfort zones, and developing both hard and soft skills like Excel and teamwork, as well as recognizing and respecting the stories of each student to create an inclusive learning environment.
This professor's insights offer a compelling look at the rewards and challenges of a career dedicated to shaping future generations.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Herman Singh
Professor
CSU Long Beach
CSU Long Beach
Economics
Education
Education
Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Professor at CSU Long Beach
Herman's path to professorship was unexpected, initially aiming for data analytics after enjoying being a TA in undergrad while juggling jobs like "valet...pizza delivery...and working at a car wash" to afford college in Southern California. A part-time teaching opportunity at CSU Long Beach unexpectedly "opened up so many more doors," leading to a full-time tenure track position at Golden West College, consulting work for the city of Long Beach, and ongoing teaching at CSU Long Beach.
Main Responsibilities of a Professor at CSU Long Beach
Herman's main responsibilities as a professor at CSU Long Beach involve teaching, which includes "disseminating information to students," grading, and providing relevant workplace skills informed by their industry experience to ensure Long Beach students are competitive. Crucially, Herman emphasizes connecting with students during office hours and accommodating diverse learning styles through innovative assessments, underscoring a commitment to student success and engagement.
A Day In The Life Of A Professor At CSU Long Beach
A professor's day is heavily scheduled around classes at multiple campuses like Golden West and CSU Long Beach, and is treated like a "nine to five" to maximize productivity, with time also dedicated to office hours, committee meetings, and responding to the deluge of student emails within 24 hours. However, Herman separates grading from the work week, reserving weekends for it, and prioritizes staying current with events to keep lectures fresh and relatable for students, reflecting a commitment to student engagement and responsiveness.
Most Important Skills For A Professor At CSU Long Beach
For a role like Professor at CSU Long Beach, Herman emphasizes that strong communication skills are paramount, highlighting the importance of "public speaking" and "being able to teach others in different ways" beyond simply reading slides. Herman underscores that being knowledgeable, adaptable to current trends, capable of conducting research to answer student questions, and effective at collaborating with colleagues and committees are crucial for success in the ever-evolving academic landscape, especially given the shift from pre- to post-COVID teaching environments.
Favorite Parts of Being a Professor at CSU Long Beach
Herman, a CSU Long Beach professor, finds the most fulfilling aspect of teaching to be "helping students" and witnessing their "light bulb moment" as they grasp complex concepts and build confidence, especially seeing students realize their potential for graduate studies; furthermore, Herman values the flexibility the role provides, including the autonomy to manage own schedule, pursue side projects, and maintain a top-tier "work-life balance," which contrasts sharply with previous aspirations for a data analyst position stuck behind a desk all day.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Professor At CSU Long Beach
Herman, a Professor at CSU Long Beach, finds the biggest challenge in higher education is the slow pace of progress, noting that even creating a new class is "like a one to two year process" involving numerous meetings and committees. This bureaucratic process is especially frustrating when working on "student centered and student focused" projects, as it means current students often miss out on the benefits of new ideas due to the lengthy implementation timeline.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Higher Education Industry as a Professor
Herman, a Professor at CSU Long Beach, most enjoys the constant "turnover of students" because each class presents a unique challenge and opportunity to work with diverse learners. The industry also fosters connections with passionate individuals, leading to engaging conversations and real-world applications like consulting, stemming from the "connections made through the industry."
Who Thrives in Higher Education According to a CSULB Professor
According to Herman, a CSU Long Beach professor, people who thrive in higher education are "really student centered," constantly seeking ways to help students succeed and adapt to modern challenges. Furthermore, success is found by those who embrace adaptability, integrating technology like AI into their teaching to effectively prepare students for the evolving workforce and ensure they are not "behind the curve."
What a Professor at CSULB Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Higher Education
Herman wishes someone had told them about the significant time investment required to properly set up a class, as "you just can't do it overnight." They learned early on that students often don't read assigned materials, necessitating clear, repeated explanations and concise presentation slides with "less is more" to facilitate better comprehension and engagement.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Professors at CSU Long Beach
For undergraduates, tutoring positions at community colleges or CSUs can be a starting point, while those with a master's can teach at four-year institutions or participate in community college internship programs that serve as a "trial run" for potential faculty positions. Regardless of degree level, Herman emphasizes developing both "hard skills" like Excel and coding languages and crucial "soft skills" such as teamwork and the ability to take feedback, advising students to leverage available campus resources to enhance competitiveness.
Significant Career Lesson From A Professor At CSU Long Beach
A significant lesson Herman learned as a professor is that "everyone has a story," and treating students with respect and kindness, recognizing their potential struggles, is crucial. Being flexible and caring for students as human beings, not just ID numbers, creates a safe learning environment where they feel like "they belong in the classroom."
College Experiences That Helped a Professor at CSU Long Beach Succeed
To prepare for a successful career, Herman emphasizes the importance of networking, stating that "the only reason why I got this teaching position was because I was always around and I always helped everyone," and the importance of challenging oneself by stepping outside one's comfort zone, like when Herman overcame shyness to become a TA. Both of which allowed Herman to have good mentors, who poured into Herman with advice, setting the stage for a successful academic career.
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