What were your favorite philosophy courses at UCLA?

• Existentialism; Philosophy of Language & Communication; Theory of Knowledge; Naming & Necessity; Principles of Critical Reasoning

Do you have a good story or two about the department?

• It didn’t matter who the Professor was – everyone always made themselves available. I remember grabbing coffee with Professor Kaplan on one occasion where he openly talked about what he wasn’t sure about in regard to the course material.
• I remember grabbing lunch with Professor Normore four months after I graduated to discuss my next steps. We talked about a lot, but one thing he said has remained with me ever since. He said “if you can get paid to do what you love, why would you do anything else.” That has, in a way, guided me over the years and is probably why I opted for public service following law school rather than a firm.

Are there any philosophical issues, readings, or topics that have stayed with you since graduation?

• I think about Nietzsche almost every day. I have also been reading P.F. Strawson lately.

Have you read any philosophy recently that you would recommend?

• It’s a very basic reply, but I would recommend Individuals by P.F. Strawson, Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle, and Beyond Good & Evil by Nietzsche. I am dabbling through those.

What was your first job or endeavor after UCLA?

• Following graduation, I took a gap year and worked as a field representative for a California State Senator. I then enrolled at George Mason University in Fall 2020.

What lessons or skills from philosophy do you use in your career?

• Analytical reading and writing.
• Persuasive writing.
• Persuasive argumentation.

Do you have advice for current students or recent graduates about how to take advantage of and continue their philosophical education?

• I think reading is always the most important thing. You don’t need to stress intense reading, either. Sometimes you can learn a lot through stress-free, casual reading. There’s a time and a place for both.