Career Goals
I’m fortunate to currently pursue my interests in research and instructional design at the College of Pharmacy at UGA, where I’ve worked for almost twelve years. I hope to continue working within an institution where I can have an impact on learners through research and collaborative problem solving.
My interests in conducting research that relies on cognitive task analysis in naturalistic decision-making environments could open opportunities for faculty positions in higher education as well as in training and technology design in a range of industries, particularly in the field of healthcare where my current work is situated.
Several examples of positions that align with my interests include:
Researcher, Macrocognition, LLC
This position at a research and consulting firm called Macrocognition is of particular interest to me because the organization is owned and operated by one of the preeminent scholars in the field of naturalistic decision making research, Gary Klein. Klein pioneered the study of naturalistic decision making in the 1980’s and continues to study the way people actually think under complex conditions, and to apply his findings to the practical application of training and technology in a range of domains, including healthcare and other industries. This kind of position would allow me the opportunity to pursue work that is precisely aligned with my current research trajectory.
Assistant Professor of Instructional Technology, NC A&T University
Of the Assistant Professor positions I reviewed I chose this example because the work includes teaching instructional design and multimedia development courses, and the program has a variety of focus areas for students including Media Coordinator, Instructional Technology Director, and Business and Industry. Many of the other positions I reviewed strongly emphasized instruction for future teachers in the K-12 environment, which I may have less preparation for than higher ed/business industry. It’s also a positive that the posting emphasizes the pursuit of research.
Director of Simulation Learning for the Institute of Clinical Competence, New York Institute of Technology-College of Osteopathic Medicine
With my current interest in developing a framework for the design of authentic learning environments for pharmacy students, I think a position as Director of Simulation Learning at a College of Medicine would be challenging and rewarding, and allow me to continue thinking critically about the creation of powerful learning experiences for students in healthcare. This position includes the opportunity to oversee and innovate the simulation program for the college, as well as produce relevant scholarship.