Alumni Profiles

Bennett Baucom ’12: Wine industry

What is the general field that you are working in?: I have been working in the wine industry. My first job was working harvest for a winery in Walla Walla. I’ve been working in sales in Seattle for the past 6 years.
What is your current job?: My most recent job was as a sales representative at Northwest Beverages, a beer, wine, spirits distributor.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I studied wine while working in the industry through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. I received the WSET Diploma last spring. Additionally, I started law school at the University of Washington last fall.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: Studying history strengthened my skills in research, reading, writing, critical thinking, and a host of other problem solving areas. I think the value of a liberal arts education lies in developing these skills and not necessarily in the content of what I learned.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: I suppose this advice probably applies to most Whitman students, but I would encourage them to choose a major they are interested in and not to worry about what they are going to “do” with their degree. People always asked me what I was “going to do” with a history major and I never looked at it that way. I saw a liberal arts degree as an investment in learning critical thinking and problem solving skills and choosing a career would come afterwards.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: America in Vietnam with Professor David Schmitz was the most memorable course I took at Whitman.

cade beck ’15: Non-profit sector

What is your current job?: I am a live theatre artist, primarily a light designer and theatrical electrician. Because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performing arts, I have taken on volunteer work founding, directing, and networking Colorado’s state-wide donation-based cloth mask initiative with Colorado Mask Project.
What is the general field that you are working in?: Non-profit sector.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I am excited to start my journey towards a graduate degree! I deeply miss being in the classroom, and this feels like a good time. I’m not sure what I’ll be pursuing yet!
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: My Whitman history major has informed all of my choices after college—professional and personal. Whitman’s history program created a well-rounded, globally-aware experience that has made it possible for me to understand current events in context and to apply that knowledge towards my life path. You’d be surprised how often pieces of history knowledge pop up in general conversation! Plus, trivia night.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: Have FUN! Let the 30-page research papers be enjoyable. Choose courses and areas of study that are things you think about when you don’t have to think about them. Really practice Chicago Style. Be amazed by what you learn. Identify the patterns in the history of humans, and use your knowledge to stop the cycle of pattern repetition. Take a course from as many different history professors that you can, especially in the areas of study about which you have no prior knowledge. Seek out herstory, and theirstory. Read primary sources and listen to oral histories. Incorporate new perspectives. Identify ways that your history studies intersect with other fields of study, and dive into them.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: Oof, this is a hard one. There are so many other history classes that deeply impacted my work, and they all deserve credit, but in lieu of a full transcript here are the ones that I come back to regularly to this day: The class that impacted me the most personally was the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict taught by Professor Elyse Semerdjian. The course that changed my perspectives on history most dramatically was Ancient Rome taught by Professor Sarah Davies. The course that redirected my narrative of US history was America in Vietnam taught by Professor David Schmitz. The course that taught me to write was Historical Methodologies taught by Professor Julie Charlip, focused on the Mexican Revolution.

Alexander Bye ’15: Insurance industry

What is your current job?: Senior Analyst, Product Research at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Seattle. I help the company develop new products by conducting research & analysis.
Are you pursuing education after Whitman?: No current plans for further education.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: Majoring in history helped me develop research skills and taught me to structure a cohesive argument. I use these skills every day at work. The major’s emphasis on critical thinking also helped me at work by refining my ability to problem solve.

Callan Carow ’16: Digital marketing

What is your current job?: I’m currently working at Zillow Group in Seattle as a Marketing Specialist. In particular, I work on the Search Engine Marketing (SEM) team, where I help to manage Zillow’s paid ad campaigns on search engines like Google and Bing.
What is the general field that you are working in?: Since graduating, I’ve been working in the field of digital marketing. I started my job at Zillow just a couple months ago, but before that I worked at a small digital marketing agency in Seattle for a few years.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: So far, I haven’t pursued any education since Whitman. I don’t currently have plans to pursue another degree, but I would definitely consider it if I found a program that I was interested in and was a good fit for my career goals.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: As you can tell, I didn’t end up in a field or career that specifically relates to history. However, the broader skills I learned through the history major—especially skills around written and verbal communication—are very relevant to my career in marketing and are just good foundational skills to have, regardless of career. Being able to communicate your ideas clearly, in a range of formats and to a variety of audiences, is a very important skill for marketing. I think that the history major was valuable in helping me develop that skill.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: If you love history and enjoy studying it, you’re in the right major! If you’re going to spend 4+ years studying a subject, I believe you should enjoy it. The broader skills you learn as a history major will prepare you for a variety of careers, so don’t feel like your major has to directly relate to the career you want to pursue. There are lots of ways to prepare yourself for your post-graduation career, like internships and volunteering experiences—both of which helped me to build up my resume.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: I took lots of history courses that I enjoyed, but one that stuck with me was a Post-World-War-II Japan course that I took in my senior year. I had only ever learned about World War II and its aftermath from an American perspective, so learning about the Japanese post-war experience was fascinating and changed how I think about World War II and its impacts.

Hayley Falk ’12: Local government

What is your current job?: Lead Management Analyst in the Office of Management and Budget for the City of Tacoma, WA.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: Received a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Southern California.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: The knowledge I gained from Whitman has been extremely helpful in my life post-graduation. As history majors, we learned how to analyze complex problems by examining the context of the situation as well as exploring the implicit and explicit consequences of actions. Whether I am working on a policy analysis where I need to understand precedent or conducting public outreach focusing on historically marginalized communities, my history background has enabled me to better serve the community.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: It is ok if you do not end up working as a historian! The tenets of analysis, research, and communication are applicable to any profession. One of the reasons I ended up pursuing a career in local government was to mold history rather than study it. There are difficult problems in the world that need dedicated and passionate nerds (a.k.a. Whitties). As history teaches us, there isn’t one truth or perspective; be open to hearing various opinions and weigh as many sources as you can to effect change. Plus, even if you don’t end up applying your history background at work you end up being a great trivia player.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: This one is tough. I am going to pivot and not answer your question directly. My favorite memory of being a history major was hosting a women’s only wine and cheese discussion on feminist history at my house. We had all twelve (?) women senior history majors along with all the female history professors discuss a variety of topics relating to representation and influence, it of course diverged into talking about Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Battlestar Galactica. The history community may not be the sexiest or most desirable of tracks available at Whitman, but the passion and character of its members is unmatched. I challenge you to find a group who can impart more “Fun Facts” on nearly every subject.

Emily Hanscam ’12: Archaeology

What is your current job?: I am a visiting Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Amsterdam, as well as the Project Manager for Archaeology at Halmyris, a volunteer excavation program in Romania which many Whitman students have attended.
What is the field that you are working in?: Archaeology! More specifically Roman Frontier archaeology in Eastern Europe, and the politics of the past broadly conceived in Europe and the United States. I am especially interested in how the perception of the past fuels national identities and narratives. I take a multidisciplinary approach to the study of the past which includes history, anthropology, critical cultural heritage studies, and classical reception studies as well as archaeology.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I have a Masters in Social Archaeology with Distinction from the University of Southampton (2014), and a PhD in Archaeology from Durham University (2019).
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: Because of my double major in History and Anthropology at Whitman, I was very well prepared to begin postgraduate work from a similarly multidisciplinary perspective. The skills I gained in pursuing a critical approach to the study of the past at Whitman continue to be invaluable for my career in academia.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: Read widely, think critically, and recognize that from working to dismantle systemic racism, to understanding the appropriation of Classical and Indigenous themes by the rioters at the US Capitol [on January 6, 2021], the critical study of the past has never been more important.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: HIST 201, the methodology class taught by Prof. Schmitz at Whitman was my first experience studying historiography, which I found fascinating! I also enjoyed how members of the faculty would visit the class to present their own research and approach to the study of the past.

Conner Madden ’14: Law

What is your current job?: I am a judicial clerk (a one-year position as an attorney assisting a federal judge) on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in Chicago.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I obtained a juris doctorate (J.D.) from Northwestern University.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: As a lawyer, I continue to rely on the knowledge and skills I gained as a history major. Much of my work involves research, analysis, and writing. I research and analyze case law and other historical and legal sources; I then apply that research and analysis to my cases. These tasks often require me to read legal resources carefully and with a critical eye, and then to clearly and concisely explain and apply that case law to the facts of my cases in my writing for the court. Each one of these steps utilizes a skill I developed as a history major. Additionally, I have retained the skepticism with which I learned to view historical sources while at Whitman—meaning that I read each source and testimony while considering context, potential biases, and other credibility issues.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: Regardless of the profession you ultimately pursue, I believe that a history major will serve you well as a citizen of our country and the world. Your study of history will not only introduce you to historical precedents for the problems of our time, but it will foster in you a natural curiosity and healthy skepticism that you will use to both seek a deeper understanding of the roots of the challenges we face and, ultimately, develop solutions for them.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: My favorite history course at Whitman was Professor Schmitz’s America in Vietnam course. Many students told me about this class when I enrolled at Whitman, and it did not disappoint: a comprehensive look at one of the most consequential foreign policy efforts of the United States, taught by one of Whitman’s best professors. I continue to reflect on what I learned in this class today.

Ian Robertson ’06: Internet media

What is your current job?: Head of Finance and Operations at Ad Practitioners (ConsumersAdvocate.org and Money.com)
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: Yes, MBA from UC Berkeley.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: Analytical skills. Reading and writing proficiency (was surprised to learn this).
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: The degree is not going to open doors for you, but if you can get in the door, the degree will likely help you outperform in the workplace.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: Like so many others, I loved America in Vietnam. David Schmitz was my advisor.

Arden Robinette ’16: Education

What is your current job?: I am a high school social studies teacher at Stayton High School in Stayton, Oregon. I primarily teach Global Studies (a sophomore-level course), but I’ve also taught a number of other classes, including current events, US history, and my personal favorite class to teach, World War II and the Holocaust (an elective class).
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: Yes, after graduating from Whitman I enrolled in a Masters of Arts in Teaching program at Lewis & Clark College’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling in Portland, Oregon (a mouthful, I know!). I received my MAT in Secondary Education with endorsements in Social Studies and English for Speakers of Other Languages.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: I definitely have a unique position here because I use my history major knowledge every day at work! I still pull out facts and anecdotes I remember learning from Whitman professors, and I regularly revisit course materials and notes from Whitman history classes. But more importantly, I use the skills I honed as a history major. Being a history major helped me learn how to ask questions, interrogate biases, and discuss difficult topics in respectful ways. I learned to present information and arguments clearly, to watch for patterns of continuity and change throughout history, and to find reliable and useful information through research. I use all these skills regularly, and I believe that being a Whitman history major set me up well to become an effective teacher!
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: Oh goodness, I can’t pick just one! The first history course that really made me think differently about history was Professor Woodfork’s Women in Africa course. The course I reflect on most regularly is Professor Sharp’s Modern Germany course (it’s extremely helpful for teaching my WWII class). The classes I learned the most “fun facts” from were Professor Cotts’ seminar on the Crusades and Professor Davies’ Roman Revolution course. But I truly enjoyed every single history course I took at Whitman!

Serena Runyan ’15: Education

What is your current job?: My current job is a bit of deviation from what I was doing before. I came to New Zealand for what was going to be a month or so and ended up staying through all the Covid craziness, which I’m super lucky for. I found a job I really love at a small restaurant called Taste of Home, working front of house. They serve food that I know from when I lived in Xi'an (teaching English through Whitman In China), which is a nice little homage to that part of my life.
What is the general field that you are working in?: Generally I’ve been working in education. I volunteered for AmeriCorps in an afterschool program, taught English in China, and then worked in Outdoor Education in Hong Kong. Going forward, I think I want to start pursuing a career in environmental sustainability.
Are you pursuing education after Whitman?: Not yet, but I’m planning on it. I’d like to get a degree in Environmental Science or Policy.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: As you can see, I’ve been traveling around living in different places and working in different jobs and settings. The history major, and more importantly the history professors, taught me to think. I was drawn to history not necessarily for the concrete knowledge of the past, but for the kind of discussions we had in class and for the kind of research and analysis that my classes asked of me. I think every history major gets comments about the usefulness of their degree, but I’ve always said that it prepared me to do whatever I wanted in the future. A history major is a good thinker, and I think that’s really the only academic skill you need to be successful in any job (in addition to the emotional intelligence integral to any position). Any hard skill can be learned when you need it; thinking critically can be applied to anything.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: History is such a fun subject because you can really dive into any topic you want to under its umbrella. Have fun with it! Also, don’t take any criticism about your chosen major seriously. You made a good choice!
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: My favorite history course at Whitman was Professor Schmitz’s 1960s seminar. I was a senior and took the course with a lot of my fellow history majors and good friends. More importantly, Professor Schmitz was an amazing teacher and taught me a lot, not only about history but also how to write well, think well, and present my ideas well verbally. I was very lucky to have him as a professor and advisor. Also, a shout-out to Professor Charlip for her tireless and ruthless editing of my poorly written papers. I will forever be wary of unclear antecedents. Thank you for making me a much better writer.

Michelle Saperstein ’10: Law

What is your current job?: I am currently an attorney at the Washington State Supreme Court in Olympia.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: After graduating from Whitman I got a Master’s Degree in Education from Boston University and taught high school history in Cambridge, Massachusetts for a year. After that I briefly worked in politics and for a couple non-profits. I then—finally!—decided to go to law school.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: My history degree from Whitman is tremendously valuable to me, even though I did not pursue a career in academia. My history coursework taught me how to transform dozens of primary sources into an interesting, cohesive story. This serves me well in my current role where I assist in the creation of judicial opinions. For each case, I read hundreds of pages of briefs, statutes, and relevant case law and meld these into one concise narrative for a public audience.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: My advice to current history majors is to take full advantage of the Whitman network. You will be surprised at how far the Whittie network extends and how it can help you. During law school, when I was interviewing for an externship at the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, I found out that two of the attorneys in the small Seattle office happened to be Whitman grads! A few years ago, I went to a Whitman happy hour and met an older alum who was an attorney working as a juvenile defender. He generously invited me to shadow him on one of his jail visit days. This was an amazing learning opportunity that I would not have had otherwise. In the last ten years since graduating from Whitman, I have had multiple run-ins with Whitman alumni, both in professional and social settings, and there is just this immediate bond there. I am so grateful for that network.

photograph of a man looking into the camera, wearing a collared shirt and glasses

Kenji Strait ’07: Law

What is your current job?: Associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, San Francisco. I represent public and private companies in tech mergers and acquisitions. Before that, I worked in Tokyo doing the same thing, but primarily for Japanese clients.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: University of Washington School of Law, J.D. 2011
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: The history program prepared me very well for law school and for being a lawyer—being able to digest large volumes of material in a short amount of time, providing a well-thought analysis, and being able to explain it are the core skills required for excelling in law school and as a lawyer.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: Try not to stress out about being a history major, but learn how to use Excel.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: Chinese History, with Brian Dott.

Matthew Sweeney ’12: Transportation

What is your current job?

Flight Attendant, Seattle

Are you pursuing education after Whitman?

No

How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?

My professors and my peers changed my life. My thinking and worldview completely ruptured. I came to understand that our ways of knowing our bodies and the world are political and shaped by language and historical forces. I learned that systems of production and exchange also set the conditions and limits of interpretation. Through the study of different cultures, and through the study of the history of thought, I discovered subjectivity at Whitman. I’m embarrassed it never occurred to me before.

This produced more pragmatic and liberated behaviors in me, as opposed to rigid ideological world-views. We are constantly seeing the negative effects of ideology in action, and if not for my history major I know my critical thinking would be much worse. It made me a better artist, it made me more empathetic and aware. It amplified my openness to difference. My job is very performative. It made me perform myself and my gender more authentically and situationally. It gave me perspective on the systems I participate in and negotiate with, systems that have a history, a purpose, and a place in time.

When you graduate and fully participate in the world of commerce and exchange, I think the study of history gives you tools that serve you well, and a sense of the big picture forces at play.

Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?

Be kind, and open to difference. Don’t hate human beings, hate the ways of knowing and producing that can shape them. Pick your battles, there are times to fight but they are rare. Listening and asking is more powerful than stating. Perform your gender in a way that feels authentic and empathetic. Don’t adhere to rigid ideologies and world-views as righteous and objective as they may seem. Life is not an ethics contest. Live your politics more than you talk your politics. You need less stuff than you think. Be situational and playful. Be uncomfortable. Ego is your friend and your enemy. Art and craft and career and stuff are important but not ends in themselves. They are means to being the best you can be for the people you hold in your heart.

What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?

I loved methodologies, shout out to John Cotts. I also loved my senior seminar on modernism, shout out to Lynn Sharp.

Marianna Symeonides ’08: Archives and records management

At Whitman, I focused my studies on gender in early modern Europe and worked in two northwest archives for summer jobs. I was unsure of my next step after graduation, but then I remembered how much I enjoyed working in the archives. I went to graduate school and earned a master’s degree in information studies. That’s the field which encompasses libraries and archives, as well as more technical subjects like user experience, digital libraries, and competitive intelligence. I specialized in archives and preservation, and took extra coursework on electronic records. Now, I work for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, where I provide records management training and consulting to local governments and state agencies. My job involves a lot of research, analysis, writing, and communication. Those are all skills that I learned and refined as a history major at Whitman—a point I was sure to mention in my interview. With my history background, I bring a long-range perspective to records management, which is just as important as the legal or financial perspective. Although this is not the career I expected as I began my history major (or even my master’s program), I never forget that documentation is the foundation of history, and that includes government records. By helping Texas governments and agencies manage their paper and digital records, I’m helping Texans preserve their history. Please feel free to connect with me on Twitter (@sharkivist) or LinkedIn if you’re interested in library or information science!

Julia Thompson ’15: Nonprofit/Museum/Education

What is your current job?

I am currently the Education Program Manager at the Holocaust Center for Humanity, Seattle, WA.

What is the general field that you are working in?

The non-profit/museum/education field.

Did you pursue education after Whitman?

I am not at this time, but my dream is to continue doing historical research and writing, which may indeed require pursuing an advanced degree someday.

How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?

My Whitman history major has been continually beneficial in the 5+ years since I graduated. I was lucky enough to receive a History Department internship the summer after my sophomore year. I had randomly emailed and called museums and similar institutions in the Seattle area with my resume in order to search for an internship, and the only organization that got back to me was the Holocaust Center for Humanity. Given that I’d just declared history, planned to study the WWII area specifically, and was about to study abroad in Prague the following Spring—this was an incredibly fortunate, wonderful fit. After a second summer working at the Center, and writing my honors thesis on Jewish Displaced Persons after the Holocaust, I then applied to a full-time position as Education Assistant at the Holocaust Center a few months before Whitman graduation, and got it! I might be an outlier in terms of how long I’ve stayed with one organization from college to post-grad, but there’s no question that my sustained success at the Center wouldn’t be possible without Whitman’s educational foundation.

I would also like to say that the foundations of history and historiography are more crucial than ever to understanding where we are as a country and world. My degree has made it easier to navigate difficult conversations, understand the news, and engage with the realities of political and cultural violence. It is abundantly clear that unless historical literacy is a high priority in our education system, we will continue to see conspiracy theories, false information, and dangerous ahistorical rhetoric flourish. While this may be preaching to the choir, I firmly believe that taking a course in history should be required for all Whitman students.

Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?

Seize opportunities to connect what you learn in your history coursework with other disciplines. Take a class or two in a department that you think you would hate (for me this was Astronomy…) and apply your historical theoretical frameworks to that subject. English courses alongside history are also a great asset for your writing ability. Utilize your peers, older majors, and folks like writing center tutors for advice and support! Do NOT take for granted how accessible History department professors can be. And finally, if you have even a slight interest in writing an honors thesis, just go for it: especially if writing is a skill you want to practice, perfect, or use post-Whitman. Writing a thesis was the most instructive and best learning experience of my time at Whitman, as hard as it felt sometimes.

What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?

Most memorable, which I think might be the answer for a lot of people, was America in Vietnam with Prof. Schmitz. We did a role-play in which each student portrayed a member of LBJ’s cabinet, and I had to represent General William Westmoreland’s point of view. This was an important challenge and exercise in looking at a historical moment from someone’s perspective that I personally did not agree with. I remember I made a little nameplate and general’s stars out of construction paper over 4-day, which was right before the next class session that we were doing this discussion. I’m sure I thought that was a funny idea but of course it looked kind of silly and elementary-school-esque.…

Brittany Torrence ’14: Law

What is your current job?: I am a civil litigation attorney at Smith Freed Eberhard (civil litigation firm).
What is the general field that you are working in?: Law
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I graduated from Whitman in 2014 and went straight to law school at Seattle University School of Law. I graduated from law school in 2017.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: I rarely use my degree now, but I believe a history degree from Whitman will more than prepare you for whatever is to come after you graduate. A history degree from Whitman gives you every skill you need to either tackle a brand new job in a new field, or prepare you for graduate school thereafter.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?
What was your favorite/most rememberable history course at Whitman?: My favorite memory was learning about the ancient Greek battle sites and structuring of the democratic system—and then actually studying abroad in Greece and standing in the very spots I read about.

Cate van Oppen ’08: Technology and telecommunications

What is your current job?: I am currently a product manager at Kymeta, a satellite antenna company (http://kymetacorp.com). My role is transitioning to Sr. Manager, Corporate Initiatives, but that is not official yet.
What is the general field that you are working in?: I work in technology and telecommunications.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: MBA in Finance and Marketing from University of Washington Foster School of Business.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: I use my history major all the time, from writing to public speaking. At work, I need to gather evidence and contextualize information to persuade decision makers. I need to understand a broad range of topics and/or come up to speed on new issues quickly in order to distill and communicate what really matters. I also need to be comfortable with nuance and grey areas, something that can get lost sometimes in the working world. My history major built the skeleton for all of that, and my MBA gave me new tools and vocabulary to communicate in the business world, but they would not be nearly as useful without the groundwork from studying history at Whitman. Plus, history was not an easy major, so it was a great way to learn prioritization and how to push myself.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: Have fun with it; history is exciting! Take classes that push you to think outside of your comfort zone. Also remember that you have a lot of options after you graduate—the great thing about a history major is that you have not pigeonholed yourself. It is a springboard for many different careers. The critical thinking, writing, and discussion skills you learn in the history department translate to business, law, academia, teaching, and many other areas and can help differentiate you from your peers in grad school or the workplace.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: Tie between US in Vietnam and the French Revolution.

Alyson Williams ’12: Government Affairs & Health Policy Analysis

What is the general field that you are working in?: Government Affairs & Health Policy Analysis.
What is your current job?: Policy Coordinator, Health District of Northern Larimer County in Fort Collins, CO.
Did you pursue education after Whitman?: I got a Masters in Public Health from George Washington University.
How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?: My history major made me a more thoughtful writer and a more well-rounded individual. Working in policy, I have to read a lot of material, synthesize what I have read, analyze it, then turn it back around in a manner that is appropriate for multiple types of audiences—without my history major I would not have had these skills ready to go. I also believe my major made it easier to find the throughline from past years/decades/centuries to where we are now in terms of policy and law.
Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?: A history major allows you to be a more thoughtful human but also gives you the skills to pursue any number of career paths. Do not feel that as a history major your only option is to go into academia.
What was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?: My favorite class was The Sixties with Prof. Schmitz.

David Young ’05: Law

What is your current job?

I am a senior associate at the law firm Ropes & Gray, LLP. I work in Washington D.C. and live with my wife and two young boys in Alexandria, VA.

What is the general field that you are working in?

I practice antitrust and competition law, including representation of plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state antitrust litigation and investigations, and I provide ongoing counseling and advice to businesses on compliance issues and mergers and acquisitions.

Did you pursue education after Whitman?

After college, I worked for two years at a small 10-person financial advisory firm in Boston, doing mostly administrative work. In 2007, I started law school at Georgetown University Law Center. I graduated in 2010 and spent a year working at the Legal Aid Society of Washington, D.C., representing indigent clients with state and federal public benefits claims. In 2011 I started at Ropes & Gray and over time came to specialize in antitrust, even though I had never focused on the subject in law school nor taken economics courses. Notably, when I first applied for my law firm job, I had a 20-minute initial interview with the hiring partner, and he asked several questions about my senior history thesis, which I ended up talking about for the entire interview. The fact that I could explain such a topic in such detail was the main reason I got my job.

How has the knowledge you gained from your Whitman history major been useful after graduation?

Don’t get me wrong, I loved learning about history at Whitman. But in my view, the primary career benefit of majoring in history was not the subject matter, but the development of “soft” skills that are needed for success in almost any field:

First, the term papers, essays, and other weekly assignments that come with being a history major can be a pain—but they are really critical to learning how to write in a concise and organized manner. It takes practice to develop your writing skills, and at least in my experience, I would not get another chance to develop that skill either in law school or at my job, where such abilities already had to be developed.
Second, the ability to talk in front of people coherently is an underappreciated, but everyday skill. Once again, it only develops through practice. I was quite shy in high school, but it was at Whitman and as a history major that I came out of my shell and learned to participate in discussions and make presentations to others. I use those skills every day now when I talk to clients, opposing counsel, or to other attorneys in my firm.
Third, and maybe most importantly, history education gives you practice at analyzing and organizing facts from primary sources and critiquing the arguments of other scholars. Many people never learn how to interrogate the biases and assumptions of historical documents and narratives. It’s a unique skill and that will not only help you understand how other’s narratives are built, but how to create your own. These critical thinking skills are what I think of when people say “liberal arts teaches you how to think”—that saying is a cliché, but it has important aspects of truth.

Do you have any advice you’d like to give to current history majors?

Take classes with the professors you like and enjoy, and worry less about the specific subject matter of a given class. A professor that you like can make the subject matter interesting (and the history department has many good professors). In discussion classes, be prepared and participate—get your money’s worth! Know that discussion is a critical skill in any future graduate/law school and career more generally. Other than that, though, worry less about the specific career you may embark on and enjoy learning about one subject—you’ll be lucky to get another chance to focus on a topic you find interesting in a college-like atmosphere.

Maybe for fun, what was your favorite/most memorable history course at Whitman?

I took a bunch of great classes so it’s hard to pick—America in Vietnam and Historiography 201 with Professor Schmitz, History of Modern South Africa with Professor Ball, Russian History with Professor Sharp, and the History of U.S.-Latin America Relations with Professors Schmitz and Charlip were all favorites.

Alumni Profiles

Section Navigation

Academic Requirements

Related Links

Whitman History Alumni