What is your job/position?
Partner, Retina Surgeon, Salt Lake Retina.
Describe the path that took you from your American Studies degree to your current career or life situation.
I was always planning on a career in medicine. I knew that I wanted a diverse and well-rounded education. Classes on Western American Literature and the History of San Franciscan broadened my horizons and helped me to appreciate different perspectives. I am grateful for that foundation, every day.
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?
I think the foundation in a well-rounded education helps me appreciate the different cultures and life experiences of my patients. It helps me to be more empathetic.
What are some of the surprising ways in which your American Studies degree has helped you in your professional or personal life?
I continue to pursue a well-rounded education.
What do you wish you had known as an American Studies student? What advice would you share with current students?
Your future is what you make of it.
*You can contact Chris with questions about his American Studies story at
chrisjgee@gmail.com.