by Elizabeth Carman ’15
Tyler Schipper ‘09 graduated from Central College five years ago, but he still hasn’t left the classroom. After being a student most of his life, Schipper discovered he would much rather be a teacher. Schipper took his economics degree to the University of Oregon, where he earned a Ph.D. in economics and worked as a teaching fellow. Now an assistant professor of economics at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, Schipper reflects on how he got there.
How did you choose to go to graduate school?
I decided I wanted to be an economics major while studying abroad in London. I was answering calls for a Member of Parliament, and I remember thinking that I would rather be advising politicians about policy matters instead of political matters. After taking a few more economics classes at Central, I decided I really wanted to teach at the college level, which required an advanced degree.
How did you become an assistant professor at the University of Saint Thomas?
The job market for students with Ph.D.s in economics is very similar to a meat grinder. Last fall, I sent out around 150 applications to a wide range of colleges, think tanks and government agencies. After an agonizing period of waiting, I started to hear back from places that wanted to schedule an initial interview with me at the ASSA Conference in Philadelphia last year. I was interviewed 20 times during the three days I spent in Philadelphia. I then spent nearly two months on the road, once again being interviewed by institutions I had encountered at the ASSA Conference. It was one of the most exciting and exhausting periods of my life. I was so very glad when the University of St. Thomas offered me a position.
“Central provided a lot of professors I wish to emulate.” – Tyler Schipper ’09
What is most challenging about being a professor?
Time. There is a constant struggle between devoting time to teaching versus professional development, even though the two are inexorably linked. For me, it is easy to prioritize preparing class materials and investigating new ways to teach topics. However, I know that my research interests need attention as well. It is those research interests that allow me to bring new and exciting ideas into the classroom.
What is most rewarding about being a professor?
I love seeing students have those “ah-ha” moments when things start to click. I also really like assigning student papers that have an open topic. It is always neat to see what topics interest my students, and it prevents me from having preconceived notions about how to approach a topic.
What are your career ambitions for the future?
Right now, my ambitions seem small. I want to carve out my role at UST, and that takes time. I want to do this job well. Central provided me with a lot of professors I wish to emulate. They understood that their jobs were about teaching, mentoring and research — but also about nurturing the institution as a whole. I am gradually starting to understand that so much of what my professors at Central did was never really rewarded in terms of money or recognition. However, it is those same intangibles that made Central such an amazing place.
“Without a doubt, every Central professor I had knew my name.”
– Tyler Schipper
What was your experience at Central like?
I look back very fondly at my time at Central. The experiences I most remember are not specific events, but rather the day-to-day routines. Getting coffee at the library, attending Student Senate meetings, going on runs with friends and all of the other small things that too often get taken for granted. I remember being incredibly busy, and I wish I had tried to slow down and take it all in just a little bit more.
How did Central prepare you for the future?
Professor of economics Brian Peterson played an instrumental role in my academic life, as he helped me get into graduate school. Given how difficult graduate school was, I blame him for that (just kidding). When it came time to go on the job market last year, Dr. Peterson was still one of the people I turned to for advice.
How was your experience at the University of Oregon different?
U of O and Eugene are polar opposites from Central and Pella. Pella always felt very safe and welcoming, although sometimes a little insular (which is why study abroad is such a crucial part of a Central degree!). Eugene felt very open and worldly. Being a big university, U of O brought in some of the best speakers and scholars from around the world. However, teaching there was very different from what I experienced as an undergrad at Central. The classes I taught had anywhere from 90 to 350 students. During my best semesters, I was only able to learn the names of half of my students. In contrast, without a doubt, every Central professor I had knew my name. I love both places and instructions, and I’m very glad to have experienced both.