From Classroom to Bench: A Lab Educator’s Perspective

Interview Skills

2012-12-19T03:16:00Z

As the years go on, I have noticed a steady decline in the ability of candidate students to conduct a successful interview. The ability to confidently sell yourself and provide a potential employer or professor a well-rounded view of your personality and professional qualities can really take you far in life. However, it seems this talent is an ever-declining one. In recent years I have seen students do everything from freeze up with anxiety to act so casual I question their commitment or enthusiasm...(read more)

Branching Out

2012-10-29T16:24:00Z

Those of us in the laboratory profession know our scene all too well. Closed off from much of the world, listening to the hum of our instruments and running analysis after analysis, and loving every minute of it! I feel comfortable in this environment and even thrive in it, as many other that share my profession. However, are we getting the most out of our profession and our role in the healthcare team being closed off from so many other healthcare workers? This is a concern I have as a Medical Laboratory...(read more)

Oldies But Goodies

2012-02-16T19:42:00Z

As the semester (and the year) comes to an end, it is an ideal time to go through old documents and files. While sifting through piles of filed papers, I came across a few articles about the history of science and I thought I would share a few with you. I reviewed a book published in 1985 by Steve Shapin entitled Leviathan and the Air-Pump: Hobbes, Boyle, and the Experimental Life . The book focused on the controversies that arose because of the publication of the work done by Robert Boyle entitled...(read more)

Do We Offer a Fair Evaluation to Students?

2011-11-21T02:33:00Z

In the last few weeks and months, most of us followed the news of three trials or events that captured the attention of national media. Casey Anthony was tried for a first degree murder of her daughter, Caylee, but was acquitted. The trial lasted 6 weeks. At the end, the jury found Casey not guilty of murder or aggravated child abuse. The verdict was greeted with public outrage, and Time magazine described the case as "the social media trial of the century." The second case was for Conrad Murray,...(read more)

Give 'em a Chance

2011-11-02T18:52:00Z

Anyone who has children knows the great parallel between teaching strategies and child rearing. Often times, the same techniques we use to raise our children are directly applicable in the classroom. One such technique is the discipline of standing back and giving your child a chance to show you they can handle situations. I can't complain that my child is not walking if I never give her the opportunity to try on her own. I can't complain that my teenager doesn't make mature choices if I control...(read more)

Questioning Faculty Salary

2011-10-31T16:51:00Z

I love college sports! I believe academic athletic departments bring huge benefits (and funds) to the universities and to the communities they serve. However, when I read a recent editorial in USA Today about the rise of the salaries of the athletic directors on campuses nationwide, I must admit, I was upset. When I read that the average salary is $450,000 I became angrier. And when I learned that a good number of schools gave their athletic directors raises of about $75,000 just last year, I was...(read more)

Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

2011-10-24T02:57:00Z

I admit that every once in a while, I find myself dealing with a student that is struggling to learn the basic and essential principles of the material we are teaching while the rest of the class has moved on and ready for new material. By no means, are these weak students. They have met the rigorous admission criteria and their academic records prior to entering the program proved that they possessed the necessary intellectual abilities (and the grades) to succeed in the program. So, I decided to...(read more)

Thank you, Steve Jobs

2011-10-11T14:13:00Z

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 56. The innovative pioneer transformed the use of personal computer technology in all aspects of our lives, including our classrooms. Steve, the heart and soul of the iPod, iPhone, and iPad, is listed on 313 Apple patents. President Barack Obama released a statement that described the magnitude of this loss by saying, "The world has lost a man with a vision. Perhaps the greatest compliment to Steve's success is the...(read more)

Can You Say No?

2011-09-29T15:42:00Z

We are known to be hard working people, dedicated to our jobs, and committed to excellence in everything we do. When things need to be done, they get done. We may not be quick on volunteering on doing this and that, but once asked, we cannot say no. The word no does not exist in our vocabulary. But is that good for us at a personal level and to the profession in general? If you do not feel like participating in an event or joining a committee, say no and mean it. Say it immediately with a firm tone...(read more)

Criticism – Part II

2011-09-15T02:05:00Z

Last blog, we talked about receiving criticism and offered a few practical suggestions on how to take it. In this blog, I want to discuss how to give a negative feedback. In your role as a supervisor or a teacher, it becomes your responsibility to be a coach, a counselor, and a disciplinarian. It is critical that feedback is given in a careful and a balanced way. When people, let alone difficult ones, are under fire, they tend to get defensive and counter attack. Therefore, you need to be prepared....(read more)

Criticism

2011-09-06T16:23:00Z

Admit it; no one likes to be criticized. In a typical work day, I receive many comments from supervisors, co-workers, and students that are uplifting and encouraging. Occasionally, I receive a negative comment criticizing something I have done or an action I have taken. How do you handle criticism? Most of us react on an impulse and start defending ourselves or even lash back. By definition, criticism is the judgment of the merits and faults of the work or actions of an individual or group by another....(read more)

Welcome New Teachers

2011-08-29T19:15:00Z

My last blog was addressed to students entering our profession. This one is dedicated to new teachers joining the academic field. As a student, I experienced a typical mixture of teachers and different teaching styles. When I became one, I learned many instructional techniques to adopt in my classroom, and other teaching styles to avoid. The first year in academe is critical. Experiences gained during this period of time can start a promising teaching career with continued growth and development....(read more)

Ready or Not, School Is Back!

2011-08-19T17:01:00Z

August is here and most schools are opening their doors for new and returning students. For those entering our beloved profession, I am pleased to welcome you to an exciting and dynamic profession. It is critically important for you to realize that health care providers and employers require graduates who are not only technically competent but also excellent communicators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers. Upon successful completion of this program, you will have gained the minimum knowledge,...(read more)

ASCLS Keynote Speakers: Are We Up to the Challenge?

2011-08-04T02:35:00Z

I attended the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) annual meeting in Atlanta. The meeting was a great opportunity to meet members of the laboratory community. The keynote speakers demonstrated, in a debate format, the challenges faced by practicing clinicians on appropriate test selection and correct interpretation of test results. The interactive format featured a laboratory director (Dr. Laposata) and an internist (Dr. Meisel), discussing their sometimes competing challenges...(read more)

No One Likes to Be Rejected

2011-07-21T22:53:00Z

No one likes to be rejected whether in a personal relationship or for a professional employment opportunity. While I am not an expert in providing advice for broken personal relationships, I can shed some light on handling professional rejection. Let’s face it, for any job opening, many people will apply, but only one will get the job. It does not mean you are a bad person or not qualified for the job. It simply means the one who received the offer was the most fit for the job in the eyes of the...(read more)