Klian Cooley Interview

After conducting an interview, with my TA Kilian Cooley, I gained valuable information, not only about a degree in mathematics or his experience, but in setting up meetings with the University of Maryland faculty. Creating a relationship with your professor/TA is vital to success in that class. I learned how college faculty differs from high school faculty, and how to address the issues this promotes. In college, often in large lectures, the TA is the most resourceful person to go to. I choose to interview Kilian because he is my direct connection in my class of 300+ people, where the professor only focuses on the lecture. Kilian is a grad student in the field of applied mathematics, at the University of Maryland. He graduated from Purdue University also with a degree in applied mathematics. He chose to become a TA because as a grad student he needs a means of income, and he gets to practice what he is studying in the process. As a TA, he is in charge of grading, discussion sections, proctoring exams, attending office hours, and answering questions online. He believes the hardest part of being a TA is explaining things in a way people will understand, and grading is a very tedious process. On the contrary, the most rewarding

The office is shared by other math TA’s, but only one other TA was present at the time of the interview, who also was very friendly and welcoming. This space was conducive to learning, and had many empty desks where students are able to receive help on anything they are unsure of. Attending office hours often seems frightening for new freshman, but the environment was just the opposite. They truly are there to assist you with problems you don’t understand. I would not be afraid to attend more office hours after this