Chris  Hair

Chris Hair

Instructor of Geosciences


Laramie County Community College

Cheyenne, WY USA


There is no better classroom than world itself.

Milestones

My road in life has taken me all over.
Graduated high school planning on becoming a mechanical engineer.
Switched majors many times: English, Neuroscience, Construction Management.
Poor grades landed me on academic probation multiple times during my undergraduate career.
Broke my jaw in a skiing accident and quit school for a few years to work. During this time I managed a Mexican food restaurant, and delivered medicine and supplies to hospitals.
Returned to school and took a "Geography of Latin America" class. I realized that I had always had a passion for geography.
Never thought I would go to graduate school, but I did! Got accepted to the graduate school at Southern Miss.
Became a Fulbright-Hays Scholar, and spent a few years in northern Ecuador hiking volcanoes and studying Indigenous agriculture.
Got a job at LCCC during the pandemic of 2020!!
Keep following my journey

Education

High School
Mead High School, Spokane WA
Bachelor
Geography: Global Studies
Brigham Young University
Graduate
Geography
University of Southern Mississippi
Doctorate
Geography
University of Southern Mississippi

Career

Instructor of Geosciences

I share my passion and excitement for Geoscience everyday!!

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Science
Teaching / Mentoring

Day to Day

The very best part of my day is in the classroom, when I get to explore the Earth with my students. I spend a lot of time preparing lessons and hands-on activities, that will help my students get excited about Geosciences. These prep times become my lab experiments, where I test ideas, and figure out creative ways to help my students understand the Earth and the people that live on it. I also spend time grading assignments, and working one-on-one with students.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for high school students

Talk to a geographer or geoscientist!! Individuals working in the field have their fingers on the pulse of the industry. They have likely made mistakes on their path like I did, and can give you advice on the skills and qualities that are in demand right now. You will still need to follow your own path, but conversations like these can help get your foot in the door, and also be a great motivator to help you hit the ground running.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

undergrad
Bachelor
Geography: Global Studies
graduate
Graduate
Geography
doctorate
Doctorate
Geography

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Peers:

"I often got the question, "What can you possibly do with a Geography degree?" There were many times when this question made me doubt my chosen field and wonder if I could be successful."

Challenges I Overcame

Poor Academic Progress