Finance or Fine Arts? Economics or English? Successful alumni say, "Go with what you like. Five years down the road, it's not going to matter anyway."
A College Alumni Mentoring Series panel discussed the impact a liberal-arts education has on one's career yesterday. The panel, held at Houston Hall, was led by alumni who graduated with majors that usually make parents say, "Yes, but what are you going to do with it?"
According to the alumni, the answer would be "whatever you want to do!"
History major Dan Diamond, a 2002 College alumnus, is now working in healthcare advising; Caroline Elkin, a 2005 College alumna, went from Classical Studies to consulting; Roger Viola, a 1972 College alumnus, is a senior vice president at a major pharmaceuticals company with a degree in Religious Studies; the list goes on.
The speakers all emphasized the versatility of a liberal-arts education.
Diamond polled his friends before coming to the panel: "Every single person said that they had taken a completely different path," he said. "When hiring people, we don't look for a major - we look for people who are intellectually active and passionate about what they do."
However, finding that passion can be a difficult thing. Viola started out as a pre-med student and went through Philosophy and Psychology before settling on Religious Studies.
"Take opportunities that you find interesting and outside your comfort zone. Don't take something that you'll think you'll immediately be good at," he said.
It's not all about the academics, though: Bethany Henderson, a 1998 College alumna, noted that extracurriculars are also important.
"Take a leadership role in something. It doesn't really matter what, as long as it's a leadership role."
Being captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team helped her land a job as an Urban Fellow in New York, she said.
According to the panelists, students shouldn't be afraid of changing their plans both during and after college.
"If you don't know where you're going, anywhere will get you there," Elkin said.
Many students in the audience found that statement comforting.
"I totally concur with Caroline" Elkin, said College junior Aris Iliopoulos. The panel "is not going to change my future, but it helps me to deal with it gracefully."
Other students also found the encouragement they were looking for.
"They motivated me to go with what I like and not be worried about Mommy and my pay," said College senior and Psychology major Jeremy Mount .
