AMS Early Career Profile: Benjamin Etgen

Benjamin Etgen Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Sacramento (BA) Position: Instructor Institution: American River College Industry Sector: Education

What he does:

• As a community college instructor, Benjamin uses mathematics every day. Since being hired three years ago he has taught a wide range of classes, from calculus for math and science majors to the equally challenging mathematical discovery for elementary school teachers. Before that he was an adjunct instructor and an Instructor Assistant at UC Davis.

Math on the job:

• He enjoys the interaction with students. Most of his time is spent in office hours, in lessons and study sessions or writing exams and projects for his students. A question in calculus may lead to a discussion of Kepler's life, from math history. A discovery class may choose a topic that leads to topics from number theory or combinatorics. Once a postage-stamp problem in a discovery class led students to a visual solution for a difficult problem.

Benjamin's background:

• Benjamin completed his Masters of Arts in Teaching at UC Davis in December 2002. He had earned his Bachelors degree at CSU Sacramento in January 2001. He was also a student at American River College. Benjamin characterizes his job as "equal parts math, teaching and dedication." Pedagogical experiences in the program provided very important skills. "When I left graduate school, I knew that I would be an adjunct instructor for a while," he said. "You have to prove to yourself first, and then to a hiring committee, that teaching is everything." "One of the reasons I chose mathematics is because of the people you meet," says Benjamin. "My classmates, professors and now colleagues are remarkable people. I found that very little of my education came easily to me, but all of it was enjoyable."

Advice for students:

• "Don't lose confidence in yourself."