Lieutenant Commander Discusses How the IS Program Prepared Him for the Reality of the U.S. Coast Guard Gary Bruce Lieutenant Commander U.S. Coast Guard Gary Bruce graduated from Florida State University with his Masters degree in ISD approximately 12 months ago. He is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard, serving at Coast Guard Headquarters, Washington, D.C. He currently serves as the Chief of the Performance Solutions Division within the Directorate of Human Resources. When asked if he views himself as a Performance Technologist, a Instructional Designer, or something else, Gary replied, "Yes to all." His duties include working as an internal Performance and Training Consultant, as well as a manager of current Coast Guard training programs. So not only does he work with the various systems within the Coast Guard to analyze performance gaps, he also assists in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of solutions systems, including detailed training development. Gary has found the most important instructional design/ performance technology skill to be the ability to think holistically. Whether he is starting a broad based performance analysis or reviewing curriculum for adherence to their ISD model, the ability to take that step back to assess what it is they're really trying to accomplish is always there. "It seems like such a simple way of thinking but many people and organizations haven't begun to grasp it." Gary suggests students take the classes in Instructional Design and Performance Systems Analysis (previously taught by Dr. Dick), as well as the "Needs" Assessment class with Dr. Kaufman to help lock in this way of thinking. Gary's one regret was not having taken an EVALUATION class, this due to his limited time of only 12 months at FSU. He wishes he was afforded the time to attend more classes on evaluation and statistics. "You'll need it where ever you go." Other than that, Gary does not feel he has met many challenges he was not prepared for. It is difficult to tell whether the ISD program at FSU alone prepared him for those challenges, however. He had had considerable experience in "training" with the Coast Guard prior to FSU. Basically, his prior experience coupled with the skills that FSU helped him to achieve has enabled him to handle most challenges...but time will tell. Gary's Advice "Never doubt yourself. You may think that everyone is thinking the same way you are but they are not. Always stay focused on the ultimate outcome that you are striving for. Both personally and professionally." "Secrets for Success": 3 Things Completely understand your customers real "Needs" and not necessarily their "Wants" (Kaufman, et. al.). Once you've helped them understand where it is that they really want to go you're well on your way to success. The ability to make an organization turn to your way of doing and thinking without them even noticing is invaluable. Have you ever heard the term, "making them eat dirt and like it"? Well, hopefully you don't offer them dirt but you get my drift. Speaking in terms that they can understand will give you that opening you'll need towards earning their trust. The ISD speak that you're learning in school will help you sound smart but it won't help you in the least in the real world.

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