How has a background in the useful liberal arts prepared you for your career?
At Dickinson, I really got a well rounded education. I wasn’t just focused on my major, but exposed to a lot of environments, which is especially important these days.
Why is that so important?
You know, it’s rare, now, for a person to work for one company in your career. You won’t work for one company for the rest of your life; you have to be ready for any direction. That’s what Dickinson did for me. You have to be prepared to apply anywhere. That was so valuable.
What has Dickinson provided you that gives you an edge?
Dickinson gave me great technical knowledge, yes, but it’s really the foundation that Dickinson gave me that made the difference. These days, you have to be ready to take the opportunity when its there, be ready for it, wherever it is. Dickinson also gave me an international background and prepared me for a more connected world. All of that definitely helped shape my career path, opened up new opportunities and prepared me to succeed when new doors opened.
If you were speaking to an incoming first-year student, what would you say is the most important thing you learned at Dickinson?
I'd say that I learned that I wasn't entitled to anything, but had to work for it. Dickinson taught me that you have to earn it, that there’s nothing like hard work, and you’re not entitled to something just because your have a good name on your diploma, or the name of a wonderful graduate school. I’ve seen that attitude in graduate school. But coming from Dickinson, I thought differently. Dickinson taught me you’re not entitled to anything. You really have to work for it and be ready—and that door will open.