Volunteer Spotlight: Jennifer Tyler

The aspects of audiology that I enjoy are vestibular, auditory processing, and electrophysiologic. At ISU, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be part of the canine audiology team and have even done my capstone on canine brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) normative data. My future career goals include working for a hospital or ENT office, possibly going back to school to obtain a PhD, and eventually, working at a university. 

Why do you volunteer with the Academy?

I greatly enjoy volunteering with the Academy as secretary on the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA) board of directors. I joined to provide a student’s perspective to the field  to help the profession of audiology grow, and gain valuable experience while doing so. I have learned a lot including how the Academy works, all they do for the profession, and the background work that makes the profession function properly.

What is one thing that you can say volunteering has done for you and your personal success as an Audiologist?

Volunteering for the Academy has helped me with my professional skills. It has really helped me with time management more than any other experience I have had. During the last year, I have had to balance school, volunteering, extracurricular activities, and my personal life. It is not an easy task but it is worth it for the chance to work with the wonderful students and professionals in the Academy.

Volunteering has also helped me with networking, as I have met many wonderful audiologists and audiology students through the Academy and the various groups it contains. Yet another professional skill that volunteering for the Academy has given me involves communication. I have learned better communication skills over zoom, email, and in person. 

What’s your favorite place of all the places you’ve traveled?

I have traveled to many places in the United States and to different countries as well. During a personal vacation over 10 years ago, I traveled to Ireland with my mother. This is the best location and the greenest location I have traveled thus far. Surrounded by greenery, I learned how sheep dogs are trained, saw Irish dancers, and tried an Irish coffee. I learned so much about the country and its monuments. I hope to travel to more locations in the future, including Germany, Japan, and Barcelona. 

I have also been to two AAA Annual Conferences during my career as an audiology student and plan to attend the upcoming AAA 2024_HearTECH Expo, April 17-20, in Atlanta, Georgia. I have been to Indianapolis, Indiana, in 2017 and Seattle, Washington, last year. I cannot pick a favorite, as each time I attend the conference, I have a different and wonderful experience. Each location and conference is filled with its own history, education, and adventure. I am excited to attend the upcoming AAA event, as a volunteer on the SAA board for a new conference experience.

What is your best study tip?

My best study tip is to study over a couple of days and make sure to get a good night’s sleep. Do not wait until the night before an exam to study. I am always surprised at how much I remember the next morning after only a couple of hours of studying the night before. 

Another tip I have is to create a google or word document and add all your notes and slides for that subject into the document. That way you have all your notes in one place. You can study on your electronic device or, if you are like me, you can print it out to study. 

Volunteer Opportunities