I was lying on a bed waiting to undergo a minor outpatient surgery when a nurse walked into my private space to verify my information, including my name, date of birth, and profession. After they rattled off all of these facts and rolled away from my bed, I started to reflect on it. It is rare for me to hear my title of professor mentioned by anyone outside institutional walls.
Sitting in that space and waiting for my appointment, in between two older patients who needed to have their smartphones at max volume to hear them (there is an irony here that is not lost on me), I had time to think about what that title really means. Outside of regular meditation, I believe it is very rare for people to sit alone with their thoughts for an extended period. Since I grew up in a time when there wasn’t a screen in my face all the time, I figured I would use the time constructively and ponder what being a professor meant.

I have taught at the college level for over 15 years. I have taught at community colleges, R1s, and SLACs. Each one offers its own perks and challenges, making it memorable for various reasons. Honestly, I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world. I got to see the best in students and witnessed the “dumb” in students. I was fortunate to have students who were star players in the making right before my eyes. I knew they had the talent. It just needed a little guidance. I have also encountered students who had me questioning a lot of my life decisions. I would personally like to thank that one student at Shaode State who believed that the moon gave us nighttime for nearly convincing me that taking up alcoholism as a new hobby might be worth it.

I know that a professor’s roles are to teach and conduct research. I would like to think that I do both adequately. I have managed to get published a couple of times, and I am sure that my work is benefiting somebody, somewhere. However, I think that my best reward comes from working with students who are intimidated by this whole college thing. I know that none of that is as rewarding as having your work recognized by your peers to advance the discipline. Still, I am fine with helping that one soul overcome their anxiety about communicating their ideas to others.
Sure, the teaching part isn’t as glamorous, but I prefer to be in the trenches, trying to help students make connections to the material I present. Research is great, and I do like to try solving puzzles, but only a handful of people will ever read my work.

However, a student who enjoyed my class will recommend me to their friends, and my reputation as a “cool” professor on campus will grow. I never envisioned myself as the academic whale, although I have had my own set of delusions. I knew what I was good at, and I could take complicated stuff and make it make sense to those who might not grasp it on the first try. I think that is a professor superpower in itself, and I am glad that I have it.