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D.J. Brogan 777.5 Master’s degree in statistics at PurdueUpon arriving at the Purdue Statistics Department in fall of 1960, three newgraduate students (including me) chose the M.S. applied statistics track whilethe many remaining new stat graduate students chose the mathematical statisticstrack. After one semester I noted that more than half of the math stattrack students switched to the applied statistics track. I had a fleeting concernthat I might have chosen a “flunky” track, but I loved it and continued on.At the end of first semester I married a Purdue graduate student in English.As part of my financial aid, I assisted in teaching undergraduate calculuscourses and gained valuable instructor experience which supplemented myextensive math tutoring experience begun as an undergraduate. I began tothink that teaching college might not be a bad idea after all.7.6 Thwarted employment search after Master’s degreeAfter my husband and I completed our Purdue Master’s degrees in 1962, wemoved to Ames, Iowa, where he began a faculty position in the English Departmentat Iowa State University (ISU). I visited the ISU Statistics Departmentto inquire about employment opportunities and was offered a technical typistposition. My interviewer was enthusiastic because I would understand manyformulas and thus make fewer typing errors. Upon inquiring about positionsusing my statistical skills, I was told that no statistical staff positions wereavailable. Ames was a small town, so I searched in Des Moines, about 35 milesaway. I was able to find only clerical or secretarial positions; all technical positionswere reserved for males.7.7 Graduate school again as a fallback optionSince I was living in Ames, home to one of the best statistics departmentsin the country, I decided to take additional courses to become more qualifiedfor a statistical position. I was not allowed to take ISU courses unless I was adegree seeking student; thus I applied for the statistics doctoral program. Notonly was I accepted by the same department that had offered me a statisticaltypist position, but I was awarded a prestigious and competitive universitywidedoctoral fellowship for one year that paid all expenses and an attractivestipend. My daughter Jennifer was born at the end of my first year at ISU.