Good writing is good thinking.

When I entered college, I didn't know what I wanted to study, or the job I wanted to land after graduating. Very quickly, I fell in love with philosophy and math. Each allowed me to explore and find beauty in big, complicated ideas. I got to explore Plato's theory of forms, Aquinas' conception of justice, and Kierkegaard's stages of existence. I learned that the seemingly 'square' world on which Pac-Man lives is really a cylinder, and that e^(iπ) + 1 = 0. These subjects taught me how to creatively problem solve, and work through complex, conflicting, and ambiguous information. They taught me to feel comfortable saying "I don't know," but left me unsatisfied if I remained there. Ultimately, they taught me how to think.

After graduating, I explored healthcare consulting before landing in communications consulting, where I now write blogs, keynotes, executive communications, white papers, and sales pitches for Fortune 500 tech companies. Here's what I've learned: the brightest minds are humble, adaptable, well-rounded problem solvers. They are successful because they can articulate the purpose and strategy behind their actions; they can articulate the why. And the best way to strengthen that muscle is through writing.

Good writing and storytelling is for so much more than getting an 'A' on a school paper. Rather, “good writing is clear thinking made visible." Good writing is what empowers students to critically think, deal with ambiguity, take a stance, and develop an authentic voice; it's what equips them not just for the classroom, but for successfully navigating the twists and turns of life ahead of them.