Lisa Lambert Snodgrass

M.S., Career Development Director, BRNG 1114
Email: lsnodgra@purdue.edu

My Educational Path:

• 1st Major: Elementary Education
• 2nd Major: English Secondary Education
• Master's Degree in Administration & Supervision
• PhD (abd) in Curriculum & Instruction with concentration in Career & Technical Education: Culturally Intelligent Learning and Working Spaces

My Career Path:

• 1st Professional Job: English Teacher, TSC
• 2nd Professional Job: Assistant Principal, TSC
• 3rd Professional Job: Middle School Principal - CCS
• 4th Professional Job: Lead English Academic Advisor, Purdue University, CLA
• 5th and Current Professional Job: Career Development Director, Liberal Arts

My Most Outrageous Interview Experience:

For one of my positions I had to prepare a presentation for an audience made up of faculty and administrators. I had carefully researched the topic, had prepared a full script, and had rehearsed the presentation several times. The day of the interview was wonderful; everything was going smoothly, and I felt confident. Then came time for the presentation. I set up the room as I had planned it and I arranged the handouts carefully. Everything was ready ... I opened my mouth to begin and my mind went completely blank. I could not remember a single thing from my research, the script, nothing. I had purposefully not included any notes from my planning as I was positive that I 'had this memorized!' I stumbled through the presentation by relying on the handouts, but I never fully recovered. I did get the job, but was very disappointed in my own performance.

Lesson learned: Always have a presentation outline - Always!

My Worst Job:

During high school I worked as a nurse's aide at the local nursing home. Cleaning bed pans and the patients themselves was more than I had bargained for. On the flip side, I did love interacting with the patients themselves and maintained many of those relationships after I quit the nursing assistant job.

My Dream Job:

I believe I'm in a dream position, however, I've found that my dream job is always evolving in some way. One element always remains the same: I love teaching, training, and helping others develop professionally.  Post-doctorate I hope to put into action my passion for teaching, training and professional development blended with building culturally intelligent and responsive curriculum and programs that prepare our graduates for the global marketplace.

My Words of Inspiration for Liberal Arts Students:

Both Plato and Socrates wisely said, "Know thyself." I want to reiterate that sentiment: Know yourself. The search for the perfect job is a tough one, but can be made easier if you have a clear, honest understanding of your goals, skills and talents. Take time to invest in yourself and in your career just as you will the stock market and your financial security. Take time to examine and reflect on who you are and what you really want from a career. This investment of time will pay huge dividends over your lifetime.