What is your job/position?
I work in academia and with the business community regarding the role of religious pluralism in economics and in society at large.
Describe the path that took you from your American Studies degree to your current career or life situation.
From BYU, I worked at the National Defense University (first as a staff member, then as a faculty member) with representatives from foreign countries that were at NDU to learn about aspects of the United States as a country (its government, its culture, economy, etc). From there, I went to Georgetown University's business school to lead global executive academic programs and partnerships. In 2019, I left Georgetown to build my own consulting practice with two practice areas: 1) higher education, and 2) religious pluralism in economics and business (corporate consulting on that topic). From there I came to BYU to lead the new religion in society initiative out of the Wheatley Institute.
This all likely seems pretty all over the place, but it has followed somewhat of a coherent path. :) The theme throughout my career and academic studies (Tufts University and Georgetown University for graduate school) has been interdisciplinary learning and application. I attribute that interdisciplinary interest and path to the American Studies program.
What are the specific competencies you cultivated as an American Studies student that you now use in your professional life and that set you apart from your colleagues?
Seeing a complex world and complex issues with an interdisciplinary lens. I also think the American Studies program offered very valuable learning in understanding how to analyze ideas in the context of culture.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your American Studies degree has helped you in your professional or personal life?
I don't know if it is surprising, but understanding the inputs or ingredients of American society has been so valuable, not just professionally but also when it comes to engaging with my communities and how I understand the happenings in the country (politics, social trends, etc.).
What do you wish you had known as an American Studies student? What advice would you share with current students?
As for advice, I might suggest to them that learning to think well is as important as whatever their career goals are. The most important advice I would have is learning to welcome and seek the Spirit in their learning. Having the Spirit as my companion in my education and career has been my greatest blessing and asset, be it when I was learning about Nietzsche's philosophies or how to effectively lead a team.
*You can contact Paul with questions about his American Studies story at paulwlambert@gmail.com.