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The alumni of �պ�����’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) are a hugely diverse group to be sure, but, as you’ll see below, there’s a common thread running through many of their stories: how a broad-based, liberal arts education provided a potent recipe for both professional success and personal fulfillment. Without further ado, allow us to introduce you to 23 alums who have used the skills they learned while in CAS to build rich, rewarding careers doing things they’re passionate about—all while traveling paths as unique as their college experiences.  

A

Alex Auman '09

Lives in: Ciudad Juárez, Mexico

Majors: History and Political Science

Current position: Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Foreign Service

What work looks like: “U.S. Diplomats work in all corners of the world to protect Americans and American interests overseas. This includes promoting peace, advancing economic development, strengthening international relations, and providing help during crises and disasters.”

What she loves about it: “Every few years I get to live and work in a completely different part of the world while at the same time serving my country. So far, I’ve worked in Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco, and Iraq—and now, Mexico!” 

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “Most importantly, I gained critical thinking skills! I would not be an American diplomat today if I did not have the critical thinking skills I developed during my time at �պ�����. Receiving knowledge is an important aspect of higher education, but I believe critical thinking is the most important skill a student can learn. Persuasive writing comes in second. The future holds untold opportunities for each of us, and we don’t know what we don’t know. A well-rounded education provides the skills and experience needed to adapt to new situations, further personal and professional growth, and ensure better judgment.”

John Austin '07

Lives in: Oakland, CA

Major: Anthropology

Current position: Learning and Development Program Manager for Airbnb

What work looks like: “My job entails working with leaders to figure out how to create learning content that helps our internal teams grow and collaborate better.”

What he loves about it: “Solving problems with my colleagues—nothing is off the table and the more you understand what makes people tick the more creative you can be with what you build to help them grow.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “Critical thinking and adaptability. My first class at �պ�����, the professor wore a hat with a ponytail and at the very end took it off to shift our perspective from hippy professor to clean-cut academic. It was a micro-lesson on perspective and prejudice that I continue to use in my work. The critical thinking and adaptability I learned have also helped me. Nothing within the business world is completely ‘rule-based,’ meaning what you anticipated will always change. Both of those skills have let me quickly understand a new environment and make an impact. It’s been crucial to my success. Many of my friends have gone into careers that have clear pathways and steps, but mine has had lots of twists and turns. It’s exciting to know that I could be working on anything tomorrow! Liberal arts gave me the flexibility to think that way and know there’s not one single answer to how to live and work.”

 

B

Lydia Bates '14

Lives in: Atlanta, GA

Major/minors: Political Science major, History and Studio Art double-minor

Current position: Program Manager for Partnerships at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

What work looks like: “I am part of the SPLC department that researches and monitors far-right extremism in the United States. I work with our external partner organizations to develop resources that help young people understand extremist manipulation and build their resilience to it.”

What she loves about it: “I enjoy discussing and working towards intersectional and collaborative solutions to complex issues, such as rapidly changing technological and social landscapes and increasing political polarization, that are impacting young people and their communities across the United States. Also, I love our union because it supports transparency and accountability for the whole organization and builds camaraderie and solidarity amongst the staff. Overall, it makes SPLC a better place to work.” 

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “In all the positions I’ve held in my 7-plus years at SPLC and at each of my prior jobs, writing has been a massive part of my work. I’m regularly required to take a large amount of research, primary and secondary sources, and other materials, and distill them all down into one coherent piece of writing that is accessible for a broad audience. I think the countless papers I wrote in my four years at �պ����� gave me a very strong foundation to build my professional writing career on. Overall, the interdisciplinary approach of my liberal arts education has proved very valuable in my career. It has helped me to think critically, understand and appreciate differing perspectives, and work towards responses to complex problems that are adaptable and responsive to a diversity of needs.” 

Adam Bottini '15

Lives in: Columbia, SC

Majors: Political Science and Philosophy

Current position: Senior Business Process Consultant for GlideFast

What work looks like: “I evaluate client software processes and workflows and then partner with them to implement improvements.”

What he loves about it: “The opportunity to work with folks across all industries and job types.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “My liberal arts education taught me many things, including analytics and analysis, critical thinking, research aptitude, interdisciplinary understanding, adaptability, and flexibility—all skills that have helped me get where I am today. Interdisciplinary understanding, in particular, provided the basis and foundation for my professional career, as being able to understand the industry and viewpoints of those around you is invaluable. It was immensely important to me to receive this kind of well-rounded education, as it provided a massive amount of exposure to various industries, perspectives, and lines of communication. Don’t be deterred from getting a degree in liberal arts—the skills you learn will carry you professionally into success.”

 

C

 

Thomas D. Campbell '13, J.D.

Lives in: Boston, MA

Major: Philosophy

Current position: Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section  

What work looks like: “I investigate and prosecute white-collar crime, all the way from opening an investigation to presenting the case at trial. My cases focus on fraud and the unlawful distribution of controlled substances by doctors, medical device and pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and other medical providers.”

What he loves about it: “My job is intellectually and personally rewarding. It provides a practical engagement and application of the kinds of ethical debates that I loved having in college, topics such as intentionality, accountability, and the consequences of one’s actions.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “At �պ�����, I learned how to read, understand, and summarize complex theories into succinct and compelling arguments tailored to a specific target audience. The argument might take the form of a written legal brief, an oral argument before a judge, or an opening or closing argument in front of a jury. The key is that I didn’t simply learn the theories of certain philosophers or the specific schools of thought throughout time, but instead learned a specific way of thinking and processing information. This has informed all my work, from working as an advocate at a nonprofit, to pursuing graduate school, to working for federal judges, to practicing law. I also learned to distill an argument down to its basic structure, which is immensely helpful when reading legal opinions or an opposing party’s rationale. I cannot overstate how much I value the liberal arts education I received in the philosophy department at �պ�����.”

Kelvin Chen '11

Lives in: Taipei, Taiwan

Major: History

Current position: Journalist at the Taiwan News

What work looks like: “I cover major stories related to Taiwanese political, cultural, and military affairs. I also conduct exclusive, in-depth interviews with Taiwan academics, experts, politicians, diplomats, and others.”

What he loves about it: “I get to attend exciting events and major press conferences and meet key figures in Taipei’s diplomatic and political circles. In my nearly five years as a Taipei-based journalist, I have interviewed ambassadors and prime ministers from various nations, visiting U.S. delegations, and Taiwanese lawmakers and government officials, including the former Chief of the General Staff of Taiwan’s Armed Forces.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “Receiving a liberal arts education instilled in me critical thinking skills and honed my writing capabilities. It also significantly impacted my global view, exposing me to different histories, politics, and cultures of the world. I became even more curious about what was happening in other countries and eager to expand my knowledge of current global affairs.  “Thanks to the skills I gained, I can efficiently grasp key concepts or facts from large amounts of information, which is imperative to being a successful journalist. The core skills I learned at �պ����� made the transition from academic to journalistic writing a smooth one.”

Sarah Cleary, Ph.D. '18

Lives in: Oxford, United Kingdom

Major: Chemistry

Current position: Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of HydRegen

What work looks like: “My overarching role is to ensure that my biotech company’s scientific goals are aligned with our commercial objectives. This entails directing the chemistry team to innovate and develop our technologies, managing customer projects, and collaborating with my fellow leaders on company strategy.” 

What she loves about it: “I love applying my scientific background to something that has tangible, real-world application. For example, we are currently working with manufacturers to develop more sustainable production routes to common medicines like acetaminophen. I also love that my job has introduced me to new ways of thinking about chemistry and taught me a lot about the commercial side of the sector. I’ve learned on the fly about what it takes to run a start-up company, which, in addition to chemistry, includes marketing strategies, building relationships with customers, intellectual property, and managing people and teams.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “I’ve gained truly valuable skills that have made me a better leader, including writing and communication (such as translating difficult concepts into something understandable), navigating complex challenges, and creating strong teams out of individuals with varying interests and backgrounds. The steps I’ve taken in my career have all hinged on my scientific background, strong communication, effective project management, and an openness to collaborating and sharing knowledge with my colleagues. Beyond my career path, I feel that my well-rounded education has been hugely influential because it helped me form my worldview and solidify my personal values.”

Merete Cowles '23

Lives in: Rongo, Kenya

Majors: Health and Society and Anthropology

Current position: Communications & Learning Fellow at the Lwala Community Alliance through the Princeton in Africa Fellowship Program

What work looks like: “As the field contact for Lwala’s communications team, I am responsible for developing communications materials that tell the story about Lwala’s work and impact, and the importance of community-led health.”

What she loves about it: “I love how engaged my work is with the local community. I get to build meaningful connections with beneficiaries and help amplify their voices on a global scale. I am proud to work at an organization with a  96% Kenyan staff that truly embodies the principles of community-led and sustainable health interventions.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “When I think of my education, I think of exploration, collaboration, and curiosity. The liberal arts approach challenges you to constantly expand your comfort zone, empowers you to ask questions, and encourages you to learn from both peers and professors. One of the most important skills I honed was collaboration. With so much overlap between majors throughout my coursework, I was able to work with people from all different areas of expertise. I also learned to reflect on my own strengths and weaknesses, work in a group, and engage in critical discussions seen through many different lenses. These skills have made me a better leader, delegator, listener, and teammate when it comes to fieldwork and problem-solving. Learning without the confines of a single-track structure allowed me to explore interests and build skills that made me a more interesting person. I think it’s important to approach college as not just a way to get a degree, but as a holistic investment in yourself.”

Robin Craren '10

Lives in: Drexel Hill, PA

Majors: Art History and Political Science

Current position: Senior Coordinator for Collections Information and Research at the Barnes Foundation

What work looks like: “I manage and do research into, and the writing of interpretive materials for, the art collection at the Barnes Foundation. I also work closely on projects related to our archival materials and publications.”

What she loves about it: “I enjoy engaging directly with art objects and being able to tell stories about them to the public. I also find their histories fascinating and fun to explore, both from the aspect of how they fit into history or an artist’s career and from the perspective of where they came from and how they ended up in our collection.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “I gained such a wide set of skills from my experience in the College of Arts and Sciences. Being able to take classes in different, but related, areas has helped me immensely and given me the ability to make connections between disparate subjects. The language and writing skills I gained have been the most helpful. Having a foundational understanding of government, history, language, and the arts has helped me to make connections within my writing and have a better understanding of our place in history. Studying the liberal arts has been very important to my overall career and life. Had I not had the opportunity to take that first art history class, I wouldn’t have pursued a career path in the museum field, I wouldn’t be in the position I hold today, and I wouldn’t be able to engage with art in a way that I find fulfilling.”

 

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Zach Despart '12

Lives in: Austin, TX

Majors: Film and Television Studies and Political Science

Current position: Investigative Reporter for the Texas Tribune

What work looks like: “I investigate power in the second-largest U.S. state. Often, this involves exposing government corruption, waste, incompetence, and other failures by those in charge. I travel around Texas and follow the stories wherever they need chasing. Most recently, I spent 18 months investigating what went wrong during the Uvalde elementary school mass shooting. Our team’s work was awarded the Collier Prize and was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.”

What he loves about it: “Journalism is one of the very few professions where you get to meaningfully interact with people from all walks of life. I’ve interviewed homeless people, billionaires, criminals, victims, teachers, janitors, soldiers, activists, undecided voters in suburbia, professional athletes, farmers, small-town mayors, members of Congress, and everyone in between. You get such an appreciation for the richness and diversity of this country. Each story is an opportunity for adventure.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “A well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for a career in journalism. Reporting demands that you learn a lot about a given subject quickly, plus you need to make a compelling case for why people should give interviews to you, especially vulnerable sources who may face consequences for doing so. There is no singular major or academic program that is ideal for aspiring journalists. Rather, the best preparation is a broad-based education focused on developing skills including critical thinking, analytical reasoning, problem solving, creativity, research, and communication. I use all those skills every day as a reporter.”

 

F

 

Emily Florio '04

Lives in: Washington, DC

Major/minor: English major, Communication Science minor

Current position: Director of Knowledge Research at DLA Piper LLP (US)

What work looks like: “I lead a team who provides specialized research and database/resources support to the 1700 US lawyers in our law firm. As the director, I oversee everything, including the budget, attorney requests, training, and adopting new technology. In addition to my paid job, I am heavily involved with the American Association of Law Libraries, mentoring newer law librarians, volunteering generally, and speaking at the annual conference and on webinars.”

What she loves about it: “Every day is different, and it is impossible to get bored. Our firm has been a pacesetter regarding generative AI in the legal space, so it has become fairly all-consuming. I read a lot about the development and use of these tools and have become a go-to law librarian speaker on the topic.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “Analyzing, writing, and speaking about literature prepared me to have an inquisitive mind and read between the lines of what lawyers are actually asking us to do rather than simply what they think they are asking for. I regularly speak with professionalism and authority to firm leaders and attorneys, which is akin to the many times I had to sell my perception of an author’s intent or persuade someone to understand. I am thankful to have received a well-rounded liberal arts education that encouraged us to learn in engaging ways that went beyond simply reading homework, taking written exams, and listening to lectures.”

Abby G. Frazier '08, Ph.D.

Lives in: Worcester, MA

Majors/minor: Geography and Mathematics double-major, Economics minor

Current position: Assistant Professor of geography at Clark University

What work looks like: “I mainly teach and do research. I am a climatologist, so my research looks at better understanding how climate is changing and how it impacts water resources and ecosystems. I lived in Honolulu for 12 years, and I mainly work in Hawaii and the Pacific Islands studying drought and working with local resource managers and communities to build resilience. I was the chapter lead author of the Hawaii-Pacific Islands chapter of the 5th U.S. National Climate Assessment. On the teaching side, I work with both undergraduates and graduate students, teaching courses like Earth System Science, Hydroclimatology, and Climate Dynamics.”  

What she loves about it: “I love so many aspects of my job. The most rewarding part is seeing the impact of my work and helping make sure that what I do is actually useful and making a difference in the world. As a professor, I not only get to do this through my research, but also through teaching students. I’m incredibly lucky to be in this position.” 

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “I think my liberal arts education helped me to remain well-rounded in how I see the world. It exposed me to a wide range of subjects and really allowed me to explore my interests and find the fields I am passionate about. In addition to math and science, I loved being able to take a musical theater class my senior year!”  

 

G

 

Claudia Garber '18

Lives in: Boston, MA

Major/minor: Linguistics major, French minor, Honors College

Current position: Senior Linguist for Sonos Voice Control

What work looks like: “I work on the Machine Learning/Voice Assistant team for a tech company. Behind every voice assistant there are linguists who help with automatic speech recognition and spoken language understanding. I design textual data to account for variation within the English language, audio data sets to include a variety of voices, and pronunciation dictionaries to help the models better recognize human speech.”

What she loves about it: “My team and office are based in Paris, and my role allows me to foster my love of both French and linguistics, as we have many meetings in French. I love the cross-cultural dynamic of my workplace and am lucky enough to get to travel to Paris for work!”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “It allowed me to explore different avenues as an undergraduate, which in turn helped me develop a multi-faceted approach to problem-solving. I can see the big picture and how smaller pieces of that picture are interconnected. In my current role, I manage many different workflows, and the multi-faceted nature of my job sometimes just feels like a continuation of my experience in the liberal arts. I also find that my perspective is sometimes different from that of the scientists and engineers. With a liberal arts background, I have learned to think about problems in multiple contexts—and this ability has helped me to get where I am today. Though I may not have the computational or engineering skills of the typical person in my field, I feel respected and valued because of the perspectives I bring to the table.” 

Jake Guarino '17

Lives in: Boston, MA

Major/minors: Economics major, Finance and Political Science double-minor

Position: Corporate Development Associate at Spotify (entering MBA program at Harvard Business School in fall 2024)

What work looks like: “My job entails both mergers and acquisitions and strategic work. Our team is tasked with executing acquisitions and divestments as we look to grow the business inorganically. When we are not in a live deal process, we help senior leaders develop strategic goals for our main content verticals, which include music, podcasts, and audiobooks.”

What he loves about it: “Helping craft the strategy for a product that impacts the experience of hundreds of millions of users around the world is very exciting. It is also interesting to work in media as we continue to compete against fast-growing and equally large platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and others.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “Understanding how the interplay of finance, economics, and politics impact real-world decision-making was a key learning from my liberal arts education. Instead of focusing within one specific niche, I was able to gain a broad understanding of many different focus areas. Diversity of experiences is, I think, key to where I am today. I was able to leverage my degree and to get internships in advertising, non-profit work, and finance, and ultimately decided to pursue a career in finance.”

 

I

 

Sameera Ibrahim '16

Lives in: Seattle, WA

Majors: Geography, Global Studies, and Political Science

Current position: Population Inequities Research and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Washington

What work looks like: “I organize focus group discussions and interviews with refugee and immigrant communities across the Greater Puget Sound area, draft research reports and policy briefs for Washington State legislators, consult with community partner organizations, and analyze census data and qualitative interview data.” 

What she loves about it: “The wide range of individuals and organizations I get to interact with on a daily basis.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “It has been important to me to have received such a well-rounded education. In no particular order, I’ve gained curiosity about the world, a dexterity to read across different genres of writing, the awareness that there is never just one approach or perspective to a problem, and a strong foundation for writing and analysis. Across all my jobs since graduating, strong writing skills and the ability to write for different audiences has been a throughline.”  

 

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Jason Maulucci '17

Lives in: Essex Junction, VT

Major: Political Science

Current position: Campaign Manager for VT Governor Phil Scott

What work looks like: “My primary objective is to work to reelect the Governor. As Campaign Manager, that includes everything from setting strategy, fundraising, and doing media relations, to working with other candidates who share the Governor’s vision, budgeting, and more. Previously, I served for four years as the Governor’s press secretary and a senior policy advisor.” 

What he loves about it: “No day is ever the same. In the world of politics, there are always new challenges and opportunities.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “I’m a big advocate for getting a liberal arts education. It helps create well-rounded citizens with a diverse set of skills. When you work for a governor, you deal with all sorts of issues, from economics to human services, natural resources, and more. A liberal arts education best prepares you for a job where you’re dealing with a whole host of subjects, because you can draw on the skills you learn and apply them in so many ways.”

Tilden Mitchell '18

Lives in: Berkeley, CA

Major/minors: Geography major, Chinese and Asian Studies double-minor

Current position: International Programs Manager at Gravity Water  

What work looks like: “Gravity Water turns rain into safe water for schools throughout Southeast Asia by installing innovative rainwater harvesting and filtration technology. My role involves coordinating the planning and execution of multiple in-country initiatives in Vietnam, Nepal, Malaysia, and Taiwan.”

What she loves about it: “I love the intricate challenge of collaborating with team members across multiple countries. From government regulations and public perceptions of water to the availability of materials and operational logistics, each project demands a unique approach viewed through its own cultural lens. It’s fascinating and rewarding to address these diverse challenges while working towards our common mission.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “Reflecting on my education, I realize how invaluable a well-rounded liberal arts education has been for me. While I may not have fully grasped its benefits at the time, I now see its profound impact. Engaging in conversations with a diverse group of 20 students from across the country and around the world broadened my perspective. This experience taught me to view issues from multiple angles and to empathize, even when I didn't agree. It has been instrumental in shaping my ability to navigate and understand complex, multifaceted challenges in my professional and personal life. Developing personal connections is what truly makes a difference in development work, and that’s something I learned at �պ�����. I also became adept at creative problem-solving, which was the key for me in terms of getting where I am professionally!”

Acadia Moeyersoms '17, Ph.D.

Lives in: Durham, NC

Major: Biochemistry

Current position: Senior Scientist II at Becton Dickinson

What work looks like: “I work for a medical technology company that is a leader in healthcare. In the Early Research and Development Center, we help identify unmet needs and conduct early-stage research on new healthcare technologies before they are moved into product development. I am currently working on a cancer diagnostic test.” 

What she loves about it: “I love the people I work with and having the ability to contribute to new technologies that can help people. Working at a large medical technology company allows me to see the true impact we are making in terms of helping health care workers provide better care and helping patients get better care.” 

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “My liberal arts education provided me with the opportunity to gain other skills outside of scientific labs and scientific writing, like the ability to communicate my thoughts, ideas, and findings. In my writing classes, I had to learn how to express myself and my thoughts in a creative, compelling way, something that has helped me be able to talk at professional conferences and give seminars. In an acting class I took, I had to get comfortable with public speaking, which helped me gain confidence to give talks to large audiences. And by taking economics, philosophy, Honors College, and many other types of classes, I was able to practice communicating topics I was not so familiar with.”

 

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Liz Paley '88

Lives in: New York, NY and San Francisco, CA

Major: Political Science

Current position: Founder & Principal at Framework Consulting

What work looks like: “I provide objective perspective, thought partnership, and counsel to leaders in areas such as defining and articulating corporate strategy, setting leadership strategy, aligning organizational structure to business objectives and priorities, and crafting internal and external messaging. Put another way, I help leaders and companies be more clear, more effective, and more impactful.”

What she loves about it: “What I do now taps into everything I enjoyed about my previous professional chapters and gives me the satisfaction of seeing the result of my input and involvement more immediately. I’ve often described myself as being professionally happiest when I am ‘the person behind the person,’ and I feel that way about the role I play for CEOs and other leaders. I’m also very stimulated by working across a broad range of industries and with leaders and companies of all shapes and sizes.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “It’s painting with a broad brush to describe a great liberal arts education as the foundation for everything, but I really feel that way. For me, it sparked my curiosity about a lot of subjects, fueled an ongoing love of learning, gave me a greater appreciation for the value of cross-disciplinary thinking, and taught me how to write with skill and care. I am grateful for and tap into that well-rounded education every day, whether in my work, my cultural pursuits, or my engagement with the world around me.”

Sam Pasqualoni '22

Lives in: Boston, MA

Major: Neuroscience

Current position: Research Associate at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

What work looks like: “In my lab, we study the effect synaptic dysfunction on the occurrence of neurological disorders. I am responsible for conducting and planning experiments, maintenance of laboratory space, and writing literature.”

What he loves about it: “Daily problem solving and the expectation to stay current with contemporary science push me to continuously grow and learn.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “I had the opportunity to minor in English, which provided excellent literary skills that I never truly appreciated until I had the opportunity to exercise my writing among my colleagues. The ability to write concisely, which is extremely important to scientific diction, has helped me get where I am professionally. In general, I feel my liberal arts education has given me an edge in the science world. What good are technical skills without the ability to effectively communicate your methodology and findings?” 

Richard S. Perkin '03

Lives in: Southport, CT

Major: History

Current position: Co-Founder of Gells Apparel 

What work looks like: “We are a premium accessories and apparel brand with licensing partnerships with the National Hockey League and several NCAA institutions (including �պ�����), plus three partner charities whom we support in several ways. As an owner of a small business, my responsibilities are “soup to nuts.” There are days where I will have a meeting with an executive at a Fortune 500 company and others where I handle tasks like inventory management and accounting.”

What he loves about it: “There is nothing more rewarding to me than putting down a vision on paper— for a new product line, new channel of distribution, or process improvement—and watching it come to fruition. It’s hard work but it’s also extremely rewarding.”

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “I wear many hats as a business owner, and I think a liberal arts education is one that forces you to wear many hats as a student.  I took different courses at �պ����� in different fields such as economics, architecture, philosophy, and (of course) history. This required me to be open to learning different materials in different settings on a daily basis, and I had to pivot my mindset from class to class. Today, I am constantly having to pivot in a similar way. One moment I am addressing a supply chain issue and the next I am working on a marketing presentation. Having a well-rounded education helped me become a more well-rounded person inside and outside the classroom.”

 

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Claire Tattersfield '19

Lives in: Brooklyn, NY

Majors/minor: Global Studies and Political Science double-major, Spanish minor

Current position: Associate Editor for Viking Children’s Books and Flamingo Books (part of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House) 

What work looks like: “I mostly work on picture books and legacy brands. Not only do I work with authors and illustrators, but I also get to think creatively about new publishing for older books like Corduroy, Madeline, and Pippi Longstocking. I dream up potential new books in the series or work with a designer to give them more modern covers.”

What she loves about it: “I really love that I get to think creatively all day long. From working with authors to brainstorm new ideas for their next book to helping an author ‘drama-up’ the climax of their middle-grade book, it’s so much fun helping others fulfill their creative vision. I also like that this job is extremely collaborative—I work with other editors all day long, bouncing ideas off each other and helping with their projects.”

What she gained from a liberal arts education: “My two majors taught me how to research as well as synthesize information and put it in context that’s constructive and useful. Where previously my education had been very linear, my liberal arts education helped me look at a lot of very different-seeming pieces of information and see how they relate to each other, and that’s an invaluable skill. It helps me study book sales data, for example, and figure out what that means in the marketplace. And, thanks to my Spanish minor, I’ve been able to take the lead on coordinating the Spanish-language translations for the imprints I work for. On my resume, having a well-rounded education that was applicable in many ways really made me stand out.”

 

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Tyler Wilkinson-Ray '13

Lives in: Aspen, CO

Major: Global Studies

Current position: Founder and Director of The Wilder Studio

What work looks like: “I am a documentary and commercial filmmaker and photographer. Most of my work is making short films for companies in the outdoor industry like The North Face, Yeti, and Patagonia.”

What he loves about it: “I get paid to travel all over the world, meeting people I would normally never meet. The most important part of my work is storytelling, and it’s fascinating to get to know so many different people, their communities, and their cultures.”   

What he gained from a liberal arts education: “Overall, it taught me how to think and how bring a new and creative approach to challenges. I really believe your undergrad should be about making your brain a fun place to hang out and teaching you how to think critically versus developing specific skills. Of course, being a good writer is critical, but I think being well-rounded and having a diverse skillset is ultimately much more important when handling the wide range of challenges you will face in life and the workforce. This is especially true with types of technology, such as AI, that are coming out today and will continue to come out in the coming decades. More than ever, being able to think creatively will be more important than having a highly specialized skillset. Don’t listen to your parents if they tell you that you have to study accounting or engineering—the economy of your generation will be entirely different than the economy they worked in.”

Interested in learning more about becoming involved as a �պ����� alum? Visit.