What can you do with a Goshen College degree? We asked 10 recent alumni.

Ever wonder what you can do with a Goshen College degree? Wonder no more — we checked in with a few of our recent graduates to find out what they’ve been doing since graduation:

Tasha Friesen ’15, graphic designer

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Majors: art and Spanish

Hometown: Goshen, Indiana

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

Two days after I graduated from GC, I left with the summer SST group for Nicaragua. I spent the summer interpreting for the SST leader’s children as they attended school in Jinotepe. Then I took a bus down to Playa Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica where I started my voluntary service position as the communications coordinator for a small nonprofit called Abriendo Mentes. At the end of May, I was offered the graphic design position at Mennonite Central Committee in Akron, Pennsylvania.

How did you get connected to that job?

I found a website listing for my voluntary service in Costa Rica on a website called omprakash.org, which is a great place to find grassroots nonprofit organizations all over the world who are looking for volunteers.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned in the last year?

Basically, I’ve learned that it’s okay to feel completely lost and alone and like life is just swallowing you whole because these two things are always true: it will get better, somehow, eventually, and there is always someone out there who is willing to listen and commiserate and provide comfort.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

I would choose to be able to apparate and disapparate so that I could visit all my friends and family around the world without having to spend time and money traveling to them.


Jorge Abreu Toyens ’15, graduate student in violin performance

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Photo by Hannah Sauder ’16

Major: music

Hometown: Puerto Rico, currently lives in Barcelona, Spain

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

I have been enrolled at the Escola Superior de Música de Catalunya (Catalonia College of Music) doing a master’s degree program in violin performance. I have also been teaching/volunteering in an El Sistema-inspired program in Barcelona — a program devoted to giving access to music education to youth at risk of marginalization.

How did you get connected to that program?

Last summer I played in a summer course in Málaga, Spain, where I got a recommendation to get a lesson from my current teacher. I took the lesson and Professor Raquel Castro accepted me into her studio.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

I have learned — or tried to learn — to have equanimity and a clear mind when things are happening fast. In moving to Goshen, looking for a job, moving to Barcelona and starting a new life, one must try to learn to remain focused and calm.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

I would like to have the ability to see sounds.


Yesenia Orellana ’15, nurse

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Major: nursing

Hometown: Born in El Salvador, moved to Nappanee, Indiana then Goshen, Indiana

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

I now work at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, working with critical care patients and cancer patients.

How did you get connected to that opportunity?

I wanted to move to a bigger city and after doing research and visiting Madison, I decided to apply for jobs there. Luckily, I was able to get a job offer there, and so I moved.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

Moving away from my family was a big decision from which I have learned a lot. When I was in college I lived with my family, so this is a first for me.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

Flying!


Mitchell Brickson ’15, graduate student in quantum information

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Major: physics

Hometown: Yellow Springs, Ohio

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

I’ve started graduate school in physics focusing on research in quantum information. I was at the University of Waterloo, but am now in themiddle of switching to the University of New Mexico.

How did you get connected to that program?

For the program at UNM, I got connected by filling out an application and then being contacted by one of the professors there. It’s one of a small handful of schools with a group focusing on quantum information, which is what I was looking for in a grad program.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned in the last year?

I was constantly floored by how clever people have been with the development of quantum computing. Before, I had never understood how quantum information could actually be used to do anything better than classical computing, because when you read your information it looks classical no matter what you do. But then I learned about the clever ways to process it and have spent the months since then trying to collect my jaw from where it dropped onto the floor.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

Superspeed.


Tiantian Chen ’15, commercial designer

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Major: business
Hometown: Chengdu, China

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

I’m working at a multinational mobile game company called NEXA in my city — Chengdu — as a commercial designer. Our main customers are tween girls of North America, and my job is to design new game product (apps) for these young girls to play on their devices. I’m also thinking about going back to school next year.

How did you get connected to that job?

I found my company’s job information on the internet.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

I think the most memorable thing I’ve learned in the last year was finding my first full-time job back home and getting the chance to know myself better. Now I have a more clear idea about what I want to do.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

I would love to fly.


Sam Carlson ’16, graduate student in refugee and forced migration studies

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Major: peace, justice, & conflict studies

Hometown: Elkhart, Indiana

What will you be doing in the next year?

I will be pursuing a Master of Science in Refugee & Forced Migration Studies in Chicago, Illinois. I will be taking courses through the Colleges of Law, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Public Health.

How did you get connected to that program?

I was first exposed to refugee resettlement in Palestine (through Goshen College’s Service Inquiry Program) and Cambodia (during my Study-Service Term). At Goshen College, I developed an interest in refugee and forced migration social services, and my graduate program is the only one of its kind in North America.

What is something you’re looking forward to?

I am looking forward to being a train ride away from my Goshen community!

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

These next couple years of my life will be pretty busy, so it would be nice to live day-to-day without sleep. Imagine a day with 6-10 extra hours!


Grace Boehm ’16, outdoor science instructor

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Majors: history and environmental science

Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

Since graduation, I have been working as an outdoor science instructor for an environmental education non-profit called Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center. I teach old growth forest ecology, stream ecology, conduct science surveys and lead week-long backpacking trips for youth. Mixed in with teaching, I work on the hospitality side of maintaining our 10-resident wilderness town.

How did you get connected to that program?

I found Opal Creek through an Instagram hashtag during my last year at GC, and worked with them as a backpacking intern. I was welcomed back to teach full time after receiving my bachelor’s degree.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

In the last year, I have hiked children up mountains, learned three new instruments, helped inspired wonder about the natural world and deepened my own perspective on what wilderness is and how valuable it can be.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

If I were given the choice of any superpower, I would choose to be able to speak every language so that I could travel, read any book I wanted, and truly be a global (or galactic!) citizen.


Justin Plank ’15, staff at Ernst and Young

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Majors: accounting and biology

Hometown: Orrville, Ohio

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

In July, I started working full time at Ernst and Young (EY), a multinational professional services firm, in Indianapolis. I took this job after receiving a full-time offer upon completing a summer accounting internship with the firm last summer.

How did you get connected to that opportunity?

Through a referral from my college roommate who was working at EY at the time. Connecting with other alums in the industry and attending several job fairs through the GC Business Department made finding a job after graduation fairly easy.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

Over the past year I’ve realized how much I appreciated the international diversity at GC. My undergrad experiences have directly correlated to working in a global firm that has me working with people from all over the world. Having this basis starting out in the workforce has been extremely helpful, especially in a high-pressure environment.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

The ability to travel at extreme speeds on demand. This would allow me to visit my friends and family more often without having to worry about time constraints.


Hayley Brooks ’15, intern

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Major: English

Hometown: Denver, Colorado

What have you been doing since graduating from Goshen College?

I work as an intern at the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests.

How did you get connected to that job?

Through the Pink Menno Facebook group.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned in the last year?

I’ve really been enjoying being able to read for pleasure. I’ve done a lot of reading and research on Stonewall, the history of terms related to gender and sexuality in English, general LGBTQ history and a lot more.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

The ability to read a book in a couple of minutes so I could actually get through the giant stack of books on my nightstand.


Jerron Jamerson ’14, professional basketball player

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Major: communication

Hometown: South Bend, Indiana

What have you been doing since graduating from GC?

I have been playing a lot of basketball — last year in places like Danville, Illinois, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, and this year in Canada (NBL Canada) and Australia. It’s been great.

How did you get connected to that opportunity?

Through one of my buddies who I played against who has played in the Australian league already. They signed me after my season in Canada.

What has been something memorable you’ve learned or done in the last year?

I’ve learned a lot of things in the last year, but the most memorable moment I’ve had was attending my grandmother’s 80th birthday party, because it meant everything to her.

If you could choose, what superpower would you have?

Definitely teleportation. I’ve always thought it would be nice, plus gas is expensive now.


— By Grace Weaver  ’16