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Nick Carter ‘95: Biology/Chemistry Teacher Warren Central High School

KW - What was your career path after Wabash?
NC – I took the GRE and went to grad school for biology at Louisiana State University. Once there, I discovered that I hadn’t acquired the necessary research skills compatible for the pursuit of a Ph.D. I graduated with a non-thesis Master’s Degree. I was hoping to pursue a field in ecology or marine biology, with ecology being my primary focus. I looked at different opportunities and found that the only places that would hire a non-Ph.D biologist were community colleges and high schools. I decided to get a teaching license and I am currently employed as a Bio/Chem instructor at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis, IN.

KW – What shocks and surprises did you discover once in your profession?
NC – I found that because biology majors are a dime a dozen, the field is tremendously competitive. I was not planning on becoming a teacher on the high school level; I wanted to teach college instead. However, I never got the research experience I needed to succeed in a Ph.D program. I suggest to anyone interested in this field, the non MD route that is, to take advantage of as many research opportunities as possible.

KW – You seem to be a little pessimistic about your profession. What are some of the highlights of your job?
NC – You’re right: teacher’s can have big headaches. It’s the nature of the job. However, and it takes time to see this, but I’ve found that the satisfaction I get from connecting with students on a personal level is more powerful than any headaches I get from the administration or the students. Here’s an example: The day I found out that my contract is not getting renewed after this year, and I found myself walking around with a lot of anger and frustration the day I found out. After awhile though, my anger dissipated because students kept coming up and saying "Hey Mr. Carter, how’s it going?" It was then that I knew why I do this: it’s all about the students. Teaching is a selfless job, and I know I’m making a difference in student’s lives.

KW – Are you looking at any other opportunities, inside or outside of the field?
NC – Well if you mean getting an Administrator’s license, I am not interested in that. They have more headaches than teachers do. I have a good friend who’s an administrator, and I tell him this. "I’m glad I have my job, and I’m glad you have your’s. I wouldn’t want it any different."

KW- If there is one thing you could have done differently this whole time, what would that one thing be?
NC – I would definitely pursue research opportunities while an undergrad. Wabash prepared me very well academically – I fought for a 3.0 GPA here while breezing by with a 3.87 at Louisiana State – but I never developed the necessary research skills. One can only gain those through experience.