TPO 11 Conversation2
Narrator
Listen to a conversation between a student and a Professor.
Student
Hi professor Atkins, you wanted to see me?
Professor
Hi Bill thanks for coming. I wanted to talk to you about …..
Student
Is there ... is there something wrong with my research paper?
Professor
No, not at all, in fact it's very good. That’s why I wanted to talk to you.
Student
Oh, thanks
Professor
I think you know the department is looking to hire a new professor, are you familiar with our hiring process?
Student
No, but what is that got to do with me?
Professor
Well, Bill, we have several qualified applicants we are serious about. And as part of the interview process, we have them meet with a committee of professors and students in our department. They also have to give a talk.
Student
You mean like a lecture?
Professor
Yes, like a sample lecture on one of their academic interests
Student
Oh, so you can see their teaching style.
Professor
Exactly
Student
Uh-huh.…Make sense.
Professor
So I’d like to know if you’d be willing to join us as a student representatives on the interview committee. It’d be a good experience for you. You could put it on your resume.
Student
Oh… that’d look good for my grad school application, I guess, so, what do I
have to do?
Professor
The department secretary will give you a schedule of the applicants’ visits. If you are free, we’d like you to attend their talks and then later you can give us your opinion. Oh, and we usually serve lunch or snacks depending on what time the talk is.
Student
Cool, that’s another good reason to do this. Um… when is the next talk?
Professor
We actually haven't had any yet, the first one is next Friday, at 10 AM, then lunch, and then formal discussion with the applicant right after.
Student
Oh well, I’m free on Fridays. If all the talks are on Fridays, I will be able to make it to all of them.
Professor
That’s great, now you should know that this job candidate is interested in the life cycles in the forest.
Student
That’s what my research about.
Professor
Yes, I know that’s why I feel it necessary to point out that even though this applicant’s research interests are similar to yours; we want you to tell us what you think about the teaching of all these applicants. Your perspective as a student, how the applicant teaches in the classroom, that what’s important to us.
Student
I understand. So how many applicants are there?
Professor
Let’s see, we have 4, all very good candidates, that we will be looking at over the next few weeks. It's going to be a tough decision. But it'll be a good experience for you, especially if you’re going to grad school.
Student
Thank you. It’ll be cool to do this. I’ll get a copy of the schedule from the secretary on my way out.
Professor
You’re welcome, see you in class this afternoon