Better Preparing Undergraduate Animal Science Students for Careers in Education by Providing Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Opportunities and Support

Abstract

In a time where employers and students are expecting a degree to prepare them for future employment, it is necessary for animal science programs to consider all career pathways graduates may take. Many animal science graduates enter educational careers, yet animal science departments typically do not explicitly teach towards educational careers or provide opportunities to learn and practice teaching methods. Utilizing undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs) may be a viable option to better prepare these students for careers in education. The objectives of the studies in this dissertation were to characterize what undergraduate TA opportunities currently exist in animal science departments in the United States and to develop an effective opportunity for animal science undergraduate students to receive instruction and practice in preparation for future educational careers similar to the opportunities presently available for industry or veterinary careers. Many animal science departments reported that they currently offer undergraduate TA opportunities, but the experiences of the TAs varied widely and departments expressed interest in improving these opportunities and making them more uniform. Characterizing what such opportunities may provide undergraduate TAs, undergraduate students, and the department, informs plans to improve their implementation. The development of the Animal Science Laboratory Teaching Methods (ANSC 289) course is a prime example of providing a learning experience effective for preparing students for future educational careers, while simultaneously leveraging the benefits of utilizing undergraduate TAs to improve teaching for all involved within the department. In addition to the academic and universal skills provided by ANSC 289, this course filled a gap in preparing students for educational careers. All students in the course reported improvement in their teaching skills, and many indicated that they are more likely to enter educational careers after the course and accompanying undergraduate TA experience. Additionally, there was increased interest in TA opportunities from the undergraduate students in the course served by undergraduate TAs. The intent of making this course an official course within the animal science department is to continue to raise awareness and preparation for educational careers until it is equal to that of information addressing industry or veterinary career options in the field of animal science.