Jared Nicol

--- Writing Teacher, Academic Coach ---

There is a distance between the world of academia and industry-- giving back to students with a professional's perspective tightens that distance and gives students invaluable direction for their future.
Tell us about your work at DVX. What challenges do you face with students in this program?

My work at DVX is focused on supporting students through their academic and career goals. The student population that I work with needs support for their academic skills, and they need direction when it comes to exploring their career choices.

You recently organized a speaker series for your students. What was your motivation behind this initiative? Was it successful?

I developed the “Speaker Series” at DVX as a way to give students a realistic notion of the careers that exist and are available to them. Many people, students and professionals alike, have very little understanding of day-to-day tasks that a career requires. It is easy to get caught up in an idealistic dream of doing any career- a doctor saving lives or a fireman running into a burning building- as opposed to the less glamorous yet realistic aspects of those jobs, like the paperwork that needs to be filled out or the tests that need to be passed. The speaker series was created to circumvent these potential surprises for my students and to reveal the actual qualifications, skills, and expectations of interesting and accessible careers.

What advice would you give professionals interested in sharing their knowledge / career journeys?

Many schools, including my own, have programs available to career professionals to involve themselves in the academic space as tutors, teachers, speakers, and more. This accessibility is something that is, unfortunately, not often taken advantage of, which leaves teachers to answer industry-profession questions in a reductionistic style. Students crave to hear industry-specific knowledge, and, reflexively, the professionals gain some pleasure answering curious questions and providing students with a sense of direction that they would not otherwise get.

Jared Nicol Bio:

Jared Nicol is the writing teacher and an academic coach for the Da Vinci Extension (DVX) program. He has taught in a variety of programs before arriving at DVX. He has developed project-based learning curriculum, and he is familiar with the populations and structure of both rigorous Blue Ribbon school programs and high-growth Title I charter schools. Additionally, he has worked to involve himself as a coach and as a club sponsor in his time as an educator. In his free time, Jared reads, writes and spends as much of his time as possible with his friends and family along the coast of California. Jared earned his B.A. in English Literature from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his English Single-Subject teaching credential from San Diego State University.

Spotlights
I love talking about my work, life, and perspectives. It's a very engaging and fulfilling experience for me to be able to connect with people openly and honestly on that level.
- Adeet Deshmukh Guest lecturing is rewarding in that it allows me to stay abreast of what the next generation is thinking and what the top academics are concerned about and it allows me to give back and share my wisdom with tomorrows society leaders.
- Rishad Tobaccowalla There is a distance between the world of academia and industry-- giving back to students with a professional's perspective tightens that distance and gives students invaluable direction for their future.
- Jared Nicol The divide between the industry and academia is widening. The next generation of graduates are being armed with knowledge and skills that are irrelevant by the time they graduate. Professionals must collaborate with professors and cultivate classrooms where everyone benefits.
- Richie Etwaru Bringing in communication professionals to guest lecture in my classroom is an excellent way to bring the material home and to further inspire students and to educate them on the various opportunities in our industry.
- Michelle Truelson One of the biggest challenges for college professors is insuring that real-world demands of work and of professions are represented. Most professors have career experience working as teachers and researchers and don’t necessarily have detailed understanding of the needs of other professions. At the same time, we are expected to help prepare the next generation to move into business and professions. Guest lectures can be one solution to this challenge. Industry experts, corporate leaders, and business professionals can help insure that class content is relevant to the world of work.
- Matthew Seeger, Ph.D. Most rewarding experience for me is getting students excited about a career in Consumer Insights, and seeing the value of anthropological thinking to consumer research
- Timothy Malefyt, Ph.D. I am very motivated to share my life and professional experiences with students, so that I can bring some insight into the world of entrepreneurship, which is the most scary, grueling yet rewarding career path there is.
- Gaye Tomlinson Speaking provides an opportunity for me to teach and share information that can change lives.
- Karen I. Wilson, Ph.D. Guest lecturing provides an opportunity to connect with community at-large
- Mugdha Yeolekar, Ph.D. I like talking about PR because it’s something everything thinks they understand - but they really don’t know how it is different from advertising or marketing. I break it down in simple terms and make the tactics and theories very digestible.
- Andrea Holland I have been very fortunate in my life and career. It’s my pleasure to share my experience to help others get their start.
- Don Lupo “I’m on and see both sides of the equation. I ask and I deliver as a presenter. For 46 years and 79 semesters of teaching, I have used as many as 27 outside pros to make a memorable semester of Marketing, business or advertising classes at USC, at CSUN, at LMU and at Pepperdine (Both undergrad and graduate). The speakers help a class standout, be memorable and the students stay interested and focused. The students get much more from an organized, special class with relevant, top-notch speakers, presenters and judges. Always have and always will.”
- Larry Steven Londre I strongly believe in the practice of service, whether it was my military service or just helping total strangers. At this point in my life experience, I suppose I have entered the developmental stage of generativity, where I want to contribute to the wellbeing of younger generations.
- Kevin Beatty I invite guest speakers to show my students people who look like them who have achieved. I want to put them in the room with people who have the potential to shape their careers. I know from my personal experience how a guest speaker can change the way you see yourself and what’s possible for you.
- Ebony Utley, Ph.D.