Swarthmore College

Date: Apr 14 2007
Major: Political Science (This Major's Salary over time)
Swarthmore was enormously helpful in teaching me how other people think about things, and how to diagnose a situation by understanding the strengths and limitations of the methods with which people were addressing problems. The methods of inquiry I developed at Swarthmore have been a significant help in solving real-life technical and management problems.

I have worked for the last 15 years in jobs where an engineering or science degree was required (usually an advanced degree)- my credentials are a Political Science degree from Swarthmore (and a master in public policy). Not only does a Swarthmore provide the intellectual foundation for such a career path, but the reputation also provides the credibility. I was recently contacted by a search committee looking for someone to head a major research institution. I didn't get the job, didn't even make the final cut, but I did get the following feedback from the lead of the search committee. One of the required credentials was to be an international leader in a scientific or engineering field. I was strong in other areas, but not that. When my lack of a science or engineering degree was raised to the decision-maker, he responded

He came from Swarthmore College, he'll pick up anything he needs to know