What is your job/position?
Orthodontist, I help people smile.
Describe the path that took you from your American Studies degree to your current career or life situation.
I majored in American Studies but also completed all of the dental school prerequisite classes. I felt my liberal arts major served me well in applying for dental school because it was different from the other biology and chemistry majors. It was always a talking point in my interviews.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your American Studies degree has helped you in your professional or personal life?
My degree has helped me connect with patients. As part of my degree, I also completed an honors thesis that explored the American Dream among Mexican Immigrants. A large part of my patient population are second- and third-generation Mexican Americans. I feel like my exploration has helped me connect with my patients in a way that I otherwise would not have been able to.
What do you wish you had known as an American Studies student? What advice would you share with current students?
Explore topics that interest you. Connect with professors that will push you to be better.