ADVICE FOR STUDENTS
Q: Why did you choose to attend Penn State? Are you glad that you did?
In 6th grade, Dr. Mel Goldstein visited my class to talk about meteorology and I knew this was exactly what I wanted to do. He said he went to Penn State and from that moment, I only wanted to come to Penn State and study meteorology. Penn State gave me so many wonderful things (education, friends, family, etc) that I can't imagine not coming here.
Q: What advice do you have for potential students considering attending Penn State and EMS?
Study hard, be open to meeting new people and doing new things, and have fun. You're only at Penn State for a limited time, so make the most of it!
Q: What was the favorite/best class you took at Penn State and why?
Cloud Physics. I love clouds and I am good at physics. It was also the hardest class I took so the challenge made it extra fun.
Q: How did Penn State help prepare you for your career?
Meteorology is the perfect major for so many careers - the field must prepare you to take complex concepts and be able to have both deep technical conversations and communicate with many people without science backgrounds. That skill is why so many meteorology graduates from Penn State are successful, no matter what career path you take.
Q: Did your career turn out as you planned?
I imagined that I would 1) travel the world, 2) find a career that was a combination of weather and business, and 3) own an entire building in New York City. Numbers 1 and 2 are done, so now I need to work on #3.
Q: How would you describe the quality of education you received at Penn State?
The highest quality possible. EMS is like being in a small school but you still have access to everything a large campus has. It's the perfect combination.
Q: Did you participate in any extracurricular activities like student clubs, organizations, internships, sports, study away or study abroad? Did they have any impact on you/your career? How?
I participated in Campus Weather Service for all 4 years and it really helped me with finding my leadership style. I learned that my enthusiasm was infectious, you can never accept subpar work/effort, and you always need to make time for fun. I've used that everywhere in my career.
Q: What is one thing you wish you would have done or taken advantage of at Penn State?
Other than going to the gym more (don't we all?), probably traveling abroad. I had to travel a lot internationally in my first job out of college and I feel like a study abroad program would have helped me.
Q: What one piece of advice would you like to give to students who are graduating?
1) You can always do more networking and 2) get involved in Penn State alumni groups (local alumni chapters, special interest groups, etc)
PENN STATE TRADITIONS
Q: What is your favorite Penn State tradition?
Penn State football game weekends. There is a level of excitement in the entire community that is unmatched.
Q:What’s the best thing about being a Penn Stater?
Access to our alumni network. It helped me recruit for work, find new opportunities, make friends and even helped me find my wife!
Q:How do you show your Penn State pride now?
I said I always wanted to buy a house in State College where I could walk to Beaver Stadium (and I did!). Also I am President of the New York City chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and a board member for GEMS (Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences).
FUN STUFF!
Q: What TV show do you watch faithfully or what band do you listen to faithfully?
Nothing matches Season 1 of The OC but the rest of my top 5 of all time would include 24, The Simpsons, South Park, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Q: What’s your favorite holiday and why?
Does Blue/White weekend count as a holiday? If yes, then because it's warm in State College (or warmer than February at least) and football is back (even if just for a day)!
Q: What’s something about you that might surprise people?
I used to fly over 100,000 miles a year for work but I still get nervous flying.
Q: What sports teams do you root for?
Other than Penn State, I root for the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants, Brooklyn Nets, Liverpool, and Carolina Hurricanes (former Hartford Whalers.
