How They Came to Teach at UIC
Ever wondered how professors come to teach your class? Or how they became the professional they are today? Here are two different stories from professors that may have taught you in the past or are currently teaching you today.
Adjunct Professor Carolyn Calzavara (Marketing Department) teaches Intro to Sales and B2B Marketing. Dr. Emily Minor (Biology Department) teaches Human Ecological Systems and conducts urban ecology research in the Chicagoland area.
Starting a career
Professor Calzavara started her career as a pre-sales consultant for a computer manufacturer. While working as a consultant, she was able to interact with various businesses and found her passion for product management. She explored business operations globally and was involved in business-to-business (B2B) marketing. Throughout her career, she worked in various tech companies which fueled her curiosity to come up with some amazing products. While she no longer works in the field, she dedicates her time teaching students about B2B sector.
Dr. Minor began her career at a slower pace. She mentioned that she was never a good student growing up and like many other people our age, she struggled to decide on what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. During her time at community college, she discovered her love for science and decided to complete her bachelor’s in biology. Shortly after undergrad, she pursued becoming a researcher. Dr. Minor obtained her PhD in Biology at Duke University and then had the opportunity to become a professor at UIC. She has stayed with UIC ever since and has contributed greatly to the Biology department and the students.
The benefits of teaching at UIC
After years of working in the field, Professor Calzavara wanted to help the next generation gain knowledge for working in the field. At her last company, she mentored young professionals. This encouraged her to teach because she enjoys getting new ideas from the next generation. UIC allowed her to connect with students and guide them in their career journey.
Dr. Minor loves the flexibility of UIC. While fulfilling her passion for research, she can help future researchers get a foot in the door. She loves being able to teach a smaller sized class with students who may not be biology majors. Collaborating with different mindsets and expertise is key to a successful project. She hopes to inspire students to collaborate with others and expand their knowledge on various social issues.
Tips for students
Professor Calzavara suggests joining organizations like the American Marketing Association to explore different areas of marketing like research and content creation. She also recommends attending marketing conferences to connect with different companies. Another tip is to “be curious!” She said that it takes a while to gain a good understanding of the work structure, so ask many questions. And finally, there is a business for everything. Whether your career starts at the company of your dreams or not, it is still a starting point to one’s end goal.
“If you are interested in research, make sure you like it.” says Dr. Minor. Research may not be something that a lot of people would choose as a career, but it is a fun job. While it may sound glamorous, there is a lot of trial and error that comes with the job. Take the time to explore whether you want to stay in a lab or do field work.
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If you are interested, participate in undergraduate research. Applying to PhD programs requires research experience, so take advantage while studying at UIC. Bonus tip, when emailing professors for research positions, make sure to personalize the email and be knowledgeable of the professor’s area of expertise. Professors get over 100 emails a day, so write a personal and compelling message!
Our professors have been through different walks of life. Ultimately, they are here to guide us as we start our careers. Make a connection with a professor to learn more about their experience and maybe it will help you in your career.