Thinking > Knowing

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. Math and writing both offer unique ways to strengthen that muscle.

Sadly, we don’t articulate this unique opportunity well, and students are understandably left disenchanted and uninterested. Math is simply a subject for memorizing formulas, and writing is a menial task which can now be outsourced to AI. We reward getting the right answer and adherence to strict rubrics, rather than creative problem solving. That’s why I work with students: I want to empower them to critically think, deal with ambiguity, take a stance, and develop an authentic voice. These skills will not just prepare them for the classroom, but for successfully navigating the twists and turns of life ahead of them.